Sharks Site Game Preview

[Sharkies all the Way]

"Sharks look to put out the Dragons fire

The Sharks coming off two victories, against a Dragons side which was unlucky to go down to the Sydney Roosters last week, more than likely to be played in front of a near capacity crowd at Toyota Park, promises to be the match of the season so far.

Add to the spice and rivalry, Jason Stevens running out for his 200th game against the club where it all began for him, and a huge night of football is assured.

The Sharks have retained the same 17-man squad who defeated the Parramatta Eels in extra time last weekend, with all players fit and raring to go.

The Dragons on the other hand have some injury concerns with internationals Luke Bailey and Trent Barrett reported to be unlikely to play. The wild card however for the St George Illwarra team could be the premature return of front rower Jason Ryles. The big prop forward has been out of football with a shoulder injury for almost 12 months.

The Sharks will be hoping for similar performances from the experienced trio of Brett Kimmorley, David Peachey and Stevens, with the three in outstanding form in the last two Shark victories. This match also represents the final opportunity for players to push their representative claims with the teams for the City-Country clash to be announced on Sunday afternoon. Along with Kimmorley, Peachey and Stevens, players such as Paul Gallen, Phil Bailey, Matt Hilder and Michael Sullivan might come into consideration with strong games against St George.

The clash between the Sharks and the Dragons gets underway at 7.30pm. Premier League begins at 5.30pm, while the under-20 Jersey Flegg clash between the Sharks and the Illawarra Steelers, kicks off at 4pm. "

 

[King of the Hill]

The Dragons on the other hand have some injury concerns with internationals Luke Bailey and Trent Barrett reported to be unlikely to play

I dont know which work experience kid wrote this, but both those guys are likely to play and I'd suggest WILL play. The international who is in doubt is Jason Ryles and I'd say he's likely to play. Hopefully if he does play one of our big blokes can tread on his bad shoulder while he's down and put him out of the game for another 12 months.

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

I think theyll play but I did hear somewhere else they wouldnt #-o . Certainly Ryles is more likely not to play

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

This a report from foxsports. Mayb the Dragons perceive us as a threat and are trying to get us unsettled?

"ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA captain Trent Barrett and Test prop Luke Bailey are in doubt for tomorrow's local derby against the Sharks at Toyota Park – but Jason Ryles is a chance for a comeback.

Barrett (hamstring) and Bailey (calf) have not improved as much as Dragons coach Nathan Brown had hoped and the pair will have to pass fitness tests tomorrow morning.

Ryles, whose last game was the third State of Origin on July 16 last year, has been cleared by shoulder and nerve specialists this week.

However, he is yet to be cleared by Dragons team doctor Martin Raftery.

Raftery will assess Ryles tomorrow afternoon.

"I still have to wait to hear from the doctor," Ryles said today.

"He'll tell me whether I am good to play. It feels alright." "

 

[Dragon]

LMFAO match of the season.

 

[Special K]

I want to see Gallen and Sully rip it up. They must be in for city and country. What great players!

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

You'd think they would certainly be in the running with their recent form but it seems selectors are primarily selecting players for the top teams, for eg, the Queensland side is mostly a mix from Storm, Broncos, Panthers etc. Lets hope they do make it though.

 

[King of the Hill]

huh?

 

[Special K]

:lol:

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

Well, here is the side of queensland:

Qld squad: Matt Bowen (Cowboys), Shaun Berrigan (Broncos), Dane Carlaw (Broncos), Tonie Carroll (Broncos), Petero Civoniceva (Broncos), Michael Crocker (Roosters), Chris Flannery (Roosters), Josh Hannay (Cowboys), Shannon Hegarty (Roosters), Justin Hodges (Roosters), Darren Lockyer (Broncos), Travis Norton (Cowboys), Corey Parker (Broncos), Steven Price (Bulldogs), Ben Ross (Panthers), Matt Sing (Cowboys), Billy Slater (Storm), Cameron Smith (Storm), Brent Tate (Broncos), Chris Walker (Roosters), Shane Webcke (Broncos), Rhys Wesser (Panthers).

Now, unless my eyes are wrong, I see mainly players from rooster, storm, Panthers etc. I was just sayin that might be the case, but i doubt it...

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

Here is somthing off NRL site:

Local derby a milestone for Stevens

30 April 2004


Cronulla prop Jason Stevens reflects on his 12-year footy career in an exclusive interview with NRL.COM.

While other players of his age and experience are considering retirement, 31-year-old Cronulla veteran Jason Stevens says his mind is well and truly on football.

He's still got a year and a half left on his contract with the Sharks and playing the game as well as he can is his top priority.

Yet there's no denying this weekend's match against the Dragons is a big milestone in the career of the Sharks enforcer.

It will be Stevens' 200th first grade game and he'll be facing off with the club where he started out in top level football 12 years ago.

Stevens looks back on his time at St George, where played 64 first grade games before joining the Sharks in 1997, as a career highlight.

"Being coached by Brian Smith and the players I had around me at St George in Nathan Brown, Gorden Tallis and Anthony Mundine…that was a top time in my life. We were all young and experiencing first grade together," Stevens says.

"But as I came to Cronulla I formed really good friendships with not only John Lang, but Marty Lang, and I really enjoyed playing with him. Apart from that, State of Origin and probably the number one experience was playing in England with the Australian side."

Along with a Kangaroo Tour, Stevens' impressive player record includes seven games for New South Wales and 10 Tests.



While there have been plenty of highs, there have also been lows for Stevens. Dealing with criticism leveled at him and the team has been one of the biggest challenges over the years.

"We've disappointed our fans over the last few years and . . . it's just really good to see the fans happy," he says.

In a mark of how fickle the fans' affections can be, a close to sell-out crowd is expected at Toyota Park on Saturday night, when just three weeks ago fans booed the Sharks as they ran onto the field.

The team's performance in recent years, particularly last season when they finished out of the top eight for the first time since 1998, has left many questioning their credibility.

But it's not only Stevens' performance as a footballer that's been criticised.

He made his Christian faith very public in 2002 when he released his book Worth the Wait about remaining celibate until he marries.

Fortunately for Stevens, there's been more positive reaction than negative to his stance.

He does worry however that his behaviour as a player might sometimes undermine the good example he's trying to set.

There's been a flood of bad press about the poor on-field discipline of Cronulla players since Greg Bird copped a 10-week suspension for kneeing another player last month.

"I'm a big player and I try to play as tough as I can and sometimes I've crossed the line and stuffed up. I’m very aware that it could seem contradictory being a Christian and sometimes being on the wrong side of the law," he says.

"In the end, I understand that I'm human and make mistakes and hopefully other people do too."

When his thoughts do turn to the future, a job in the media seems like an attractive option.

It's something he's had experience in with regular television appearances, a book and, recently, movie reviews for NRL.COM on his resume.

But another career's a long way down the track according to Stevens.

"I still believe my best highlight in football is to come," he says.

 

[King of the Hill]

What the hell does the Queensland team have to do with Michael Sullivan and Paul Gallen?

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

I was sayin that selectors of the queensland side obviously hav selected players from teams which are goin well. I just said that however unlikely mayb the selectors of City and Country sides my employ the same rationale.

 

[King of the Hill]

In a mark of how fickle the fans' affections can be, a close to sell-out crowd is expected at Toyota Park on Saturday night, when just three weeks ago fans booed the Sharks as they ran onto the field.

Maybe I was too drunk but I've been to all our games this year with the exception of the Bulldogs game and I cannot remember any booing of the players as they ran onto the field

Just like Kimmorley wasnt booed off the field in 2001 against the Parramatta Eels

 

[Sharkies all the Way]

The media bull***ts so much sometimes. I hate especially when they lie like that, they exaggerate supporters disappointment to a level of booing.

 

[fatshark]

Yeah I know what you mean, what 2 idiot supporters make up the mould for everyone. You wanna hear a crowd boo, listen to Parra and Saints supporters. Fickle my ass.
Gallen should be on the bench for city.