What has the Sharks scoring more points?
Paul Johnson
15/07/2011 9:40:04 AM
Averaging 28 points per game the Sharks have been able to find the try-line with greater frequency of late.
But what has changed in their make-up to allow them to be so creative?
Despite the calm assertions of players and the man himself, Chad Townsends ability to control the game is not the reason and nor is the arrival of Sam Tagataese, who is yet to taste defeat in a Cronulla jersey.
The truth is the Sharks have been solid defensively and shut down opposing teams offence, but surprisingly their attack is the sixth-best in the NRL.
This has come on the back of some key Sharks posting big metres, including some 200-plus metre games from Paul Gallen and Kade Snowden earlier in the month and fullback Nathan Gardner also chipping in with 119 metres a game during their four-game winning streak.
The metre-eating, particularly in the middle, has led to Cronulla being able to offload the footy and get their second-phase play going, which has in turn led to tries.
In their last four victories the Sharks have thrown the idea of locking up the footy out the window and are averaging 15 offloads per game, bringing back memories of Parramattas carefree and exciting run to the 2009 finals when the Hayne Plane hit ridiculous heights.
The keys have been former offload king Anthony Tupou and veteran centre Colin Best, who have thrown 6 and 5 offloads respectively in the Sharks last two victories to set up plenty of point-scoring opportunities.
The end result has been the Sharks quick outside backs making the most of their opportunities.
Gardner has bagged three tries in the last fortnight, while fellow speedsters Nathan Stapleton and Matthew Wright have grabbed two tries, with big centres Best and Ben Pomeroy also bagging a double in the last month.
The moral of this piece, a little go-forward goes a long way and Cronulla are starting to benefit because of it
http://www.sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=39180
Paul Johnson
15/07/2011 9:40:04 AM
Averaging 28 points per game the Sharks have been able to find the try-line with greater frequency of late.
But what has changed in their make-up to allow them to be so creative?
Despite the calm assertions of players and the man himself, Chad Townsends ability to control the game is not the reason and nor is the arrival of Sam Tagataese, who is yet to taste defeat in a Cronulla jersey.
The truth is the Sharks have been solid defensively and shut down opposing teams offence, but surprisingly their attack is the sixth-best in the NRL.
This has come on the back of some key Sharks posting big metres, including some 200-plus metre games from Paul Gallen and Kade Snowden earlier in the month and fullback Nathan Gardner also chipping in with 119 metres a game during their four-game winning streak.
The metre-eating, particularly in the middle, has led to Cronulla being able to offload the footy and get their second-phase play going, which has in turn led to tries.
In their last four victories the Sharks have thrown the idea of locking up the footy out the window and are averaging 15 offloads per game, bringing back memories of Parramattas carefree and exciting run to the 2009 finals when the Hayne Plane hit ridiculous heights.
The keys have been former offload king Anthony Tupou and veteran centre Colin Best, who have thrown 6 and 5 offloads respectively in the Sharks last two victories to set up plenty of point-scoring opportunities.
The end result has been the Sharks quick outside backs making the most of their opportunities.
Gardner has bagged three tries in the last fortnight, while fellow speedsters Nathan Stapleton and Matthew Wright have grabbed two tries, with big centres Best and Ben Pomeroy also bagging a double in the last month.
The moral of this piece, a little go-forward goes a long way and Cronulla are starting to benefit because of it
http://www.sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=39180
