http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...sharks-enter-new-era/2085245.aspx?storypage=0
Sharks enter new era
BY BRAD FORREST
24 Feb, 2011 04:00 AM
CRONULLA Sharks are confident of attracting more sponsors, as well as players, to their football club following Monday night’s landmark decision to approve a $300 million property and retail development on the Sharks land.
The decision could also influence NSW Origin prop Kade Snowden, named to play against his old club Newcastle, to stay on with the Sharks after his contract ends this season.
Even before Monday’s decision, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan and his staff were quietly confident they had a team that could shock the favourites in the NRL season, which begins in March.
Now, coach and club are buoyed about the future beyond 2011 - and the flow-on effects from the redevelopment decision.
‘‘I can’t wait until I see the workmen, the trucks and bulldozers,’’ Flanagan said yesterday. ‘‘That will signal big business and companies wanting to be a part of the Sharks.
‘‘That is the hidden advantage to this club. More companies will want to be on the front and back of our jumper, more corporates joining more supporters through the gates. I have no doubt.’’
Flanagan, who took over the coaching reigns after Ricky Stuart quit late last season, said the mood of the players at training had been ‘‘great’’.
‘‘The players now have no doubt about their future,’’ he said. ‘‘They now have security, because they realise, like everyone else, that the Sharks have a long future in front of them.’’
The club is also keen for other sporting clubs to join them under the Sharks umbrella, with negotiations continuing with the giant Tradies licensed club about an amalgamation.
Despite the uproar in the Newcastle camp following the collapse of the Nathan Tinkler buy-out offer, the Sharks are not pressing prop Kade Snowden over a decision about their offer to extend his contract beyond 2011.
It is believed the offer to Snowden to leave the Sharks was for more than $2 million, over five years, although the Knights say the offer did not come from them.
‘‘Kade has his mind on playing for the Sharks and when he came back on Monday [from his parents’ Newcastle home], it was as though he’d found a safe haven, training again with all his mates,’’ Flanagan added.
For the Sharks last trial, against Newcastle on Saturday night at Muswellbrook, Flanagan said he was looking forward to seeing the new halves combination of Wade Graham and Albert Kelly in action, and Kiwi Test international Jeremy Smith playing alongside captain Paul Gallen and the promising Jason Bukuya.
‘‘We’re also interested in the outside backs ... and who will put up their hands for [NRL] selection.’’
Sharks teams to play Newcastle:
First half: 1 Nathan Gardner, 2 Nathan Stapleton, 3 Ben Pomeroy, 4 Dean Collis, 5 John Williams, 6 Albert Kelly, 7 Wade Graham, 8 Kade Snowden, 9 John Morris, 10 Luke Douglas, 11 Jayson Bukuya, 12 Jeremy Smith, 13 Paul Gallen.
Second half: Ryan Tongia, Isaac Gordon, Colin Best, Ricky Leutele, Matthew Wright, Tim Smith, Josh Cordoba, Paul Aiton, Jon Mannah, Anthony Tupou, Taulima Tautai, Broderick Wright, Siosaia Vave.
