shadowboxer
First Grade
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article from ozleague.com
Sharks want muscle Dec 08, 2004
Cronulla Sharks coach Stuart Raper doesnt want to see a repeat performance of the 2004 season where he believes his side were "out-muscled" in some of the most important facets of the game.
Raper called the Sharks, who finished two competition points out of the final eight, back into preseason training earlier than any of the other clubs in an effort to right the wrongs of the season gone.
"I thought we were out muscled in a lot of games last year and were beaten strength-wise within the ruck and plenty of other areas," Raper said.
"You look at the stats and we made the least line breaks of anyone else and we missed more tackles than anyone else. Physically I knew we needed to be stronger."
Raper took over from former coach Chris Anderson at the end of last season but says this will his first preseason where he is totally in charge.
The Sharks have brought back to the club two familiar faces in Adam Dykes (Parramatta) and Paul Mellor (UK Super League) as well young Bulldogs beast Hutch Maiava and Wests Tigers winger Luke Covell.
"This is [me] and the coaching staff what we want to do," Raper said, "and I think the staff that I've put on and the players that we've recruited and what we are going to do in the off-season is going to, hopefully, give us an advantage throughout the season."
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You reckon raper knows his nuts are on the line??? I reckon they are already in the vice
Sharks want muscle Dec 08, 2004
Cronulla Sharks coach Stuart Raper doesnt want to see a repeat performance of the 2004 season where he believes his side were "out-muscled" in some of the most important facets of the game.
Raper called the Sharks, who finished two competition points out of the final eight, back into preseason training earlier than any of the other clubs in an effort to right the wrongs of the season gone.
"I thought we were out muscled in a lot of games last year and were beaten strength-wise within the ruck and plenty of other areas," Raper said.
"You look at the stats and we made the least line breaks of anyone else and we missed more tackles than anyone else. Physically I knew we needed to be stronger."
Raper took over from former coach Chris Anderson at the end of last season but says this will his first preseason where he is totally in charge.
The Sharks have brought back to the club two familiar faces in Adam Dykes (Parramatta) and Paul Mellor (UK Super League) as well young Bulldogs beast Hutch Maiava and Wests Tigers winger Luke Covell.
"This is [me] and the coaching staff what we want to do," Raper said, "and I think the staff that I've put on and the players that we've recruited and what we are going to do in the off-season is going to, hopefully, give us an advantage throughout the season."
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You reckon raper knows his nuts are on the line??? I reckon they are already in the vice
