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Why Cronulla can win in 2004, well at least finish closer to the top than the bottom.
Now I wouldn't be taking odds shoter than 20-1. There are reasons not to be confident, terrible 2003, internal dramas and a brand new coach. But when you actually look closely at the squad, and what Penrith did this season, is there anyone willing to come out and say we have no chance at all. This is why I am more confident about 2004 than I was at the start of 2003. The first thing I look for at the start of the year is the squad. I was worried at the start of last year and the only thing that made me feel like we had a chance was our 2002 form and Anderson's confidence. But deep down I suspected some ordinary players were going to be playing first grade. This year we have far better depth, and I expect everyone who plays in first grade will be up to the challenge.
So what I do I like about the squad? Well depsite Anderson's failings, we have recruited well for 2004. Last year we had some glaring weaknesses, and we have gone along way to fix them. In have come a strike centre in Vagana and a highly regarded winger in Nathan Merritt. Whilst Merritt could turn out to be dud, he could also be the next Blacklock. He's got some big raps from some big names. He may even take over the goalkicking, where we do have a weakness but plenty of candidates. We have also bolstered our pack with the signing of Andrew Lomu, who hopefully will reproduce his form of 2002. But importantly the signings of Vagana and Merritt will allow Bailey (assuming he's still around), to return to his natural position in the backrow.
Even the no names signings this year come with far greater credentials. Michael Russo is injury riddled, but a former Australian schoolboys captain. Dimitri Pelo is a 2002 Aus schoolboy and is highly regarded in the sunshine state and Jason Williams is a big prop who supposedly wasn't far off the Canterbury top 17 before injuring himself in pre season last year.
On top of these signings, we haven't as of yet lost anyone we would have wanted to keep.
But the biggest reason why I'm confident about 2004 is the kids coming through. I follow the junior grades closely, and I have watched a few of these guys come through the grades since winnig the under 16's in 2001. I always pinpointed 2004 as the year we would get the most out of them. This is the year where we get to work the cap to its full potential. There will be 4 or 5 who finish the year in first grade but who contibute bugger all to the sallary cap because they will have pretty much come out of nowhere. Remind you of anyone, yes well thats what happened to Penrith in 2003.
Keith Galloway, Russell Aitken and David Simmons are the most exciting prospects we have produced since Rogers, Peachey, Ritson and Dykes emerged from our Presidents Cup win in 1994. You've all seen Galloway already, and he can only get better with a full off season. But Aitken is the one to watch aT 5/8. The kid has struggled with injury in the last 2 seasons, but is a freak. To quote Peachey last year
" I'm looking forward to playing with Russell Aitken, the kid's a freak", that coming from the freak himself. Danny Nutley is quoted in the most recent addition of Shark magazine saying Aitken has the best ball skills he has ever seen on a team mate. I can't wait to see him hopefully fulfil his potential this season.
The other kid, Simmons, a full back or centre, has only been playing Rugby League for about 4 years but was our best in reserve grade last year. He like Aitken is slightly built, but is a natural athlete. Before taking up League he was a rep soccer player, and my brother and another mate rate him the best junior soccer player they had ever laid eyes on. His best aspect was apparently his vision. Well according to Theo Burgess, Simmo has carried this skill across to League, and Theo compares Simmo's vision to that of Lockyer. Only time will tell. We may not see him early this year as Simmo has recently undergoing a shoulder op, but hopefully he'll force his way to firsts in due time.
Others like the aggressive Reece Williams and double Australian schoolboy centre Stephen Ross are waiting in the wings.
Bring on 2004.
Now I wouldn't be taking odds shoter than 20-1. There are reasons not to be confident, terrible 2003, internal dramas and a brand new coach. But when you actually look closely at the squad, and what Penrith did this season, is there anyone willing to come out and say we have no chance at all. This is why I am more confident about 2004 than I was at the start of 2003. The first thing I look for at the start of the year is the squad. I was worried at the start of last year and the only thing that made me feel like we had a chance was our 2002 form and Anderson's confidence. But deep down I suspected some ordinary players were going to be playing first grade. This year we have far better depth, and I expect everyone who plays in first grade will be up to the challenge.
So what I do I like about the squad? Well depsite Anderson's failings, we have recruited well for 2004. Last year we had some glaring weaknesses, and we have gone along way to fix them. In have come a strike centre in Vagana and a highly regarded winger in Nathan Merritt. Whilst Merritt could turn out to be dud, he could also be the next Blacklock. He's got some big raps from some big names. He may even take over the goalkicking, where we do have a weakness but plenty of candidates. We have also bolstered our pack with the signing of Andrew Lomu, who hopefully will reproduce his form of 2002. But importantly the signings of Vagana and Merritt will allow Bailey (assuming he's still around), to return to his natural position in the backrow.
Even the no names signings this year come with far greater credentials. Michael Russo is injury riddled, but a former Australian schoolboys captain. Dimitri Pelo is a 2002 Aus schoolboy and is highly regarded in the sunshine state and Jason Williams is a big prop who supposedly wasn't far off the Canterbury top 17 before injuring himself in pre season last year.
On top of these signings, we haven't as of yet lost anyone we would have wanted to keep.
But the biggest reason why I'm confident about 2004 is the kids coming through. I follow the junior grades closely, and I have watched a few of these guys come through the grades since winnig the under 16's in 2001. I always pinpointed 2004 as the year we would get the most out of them. This is the year where we get to work the cap to its full potential. There will be 4 or 5 who finish the year in first grade but who contibute bugger all to the sallary cap because they will have pretty much come out of nowhere. Remind you of anyone, yes well thats what happened to Penrith in 2003.
Keith Galloway, Russell Aitken and David Simmons are the most exciting prospects we have produced since Rogers, Peachey, Ritson and Dykes emerged from our Presidents Cup win in 1994. You've all seen Galloway already, and he can only get better with a full off season. But Aitken is the one to watch aT 5/8. The kid has struggled with injury in the last 2 seasons, but is a freak. To quote Peachey last year
" I'm looking forward to playing with Russell Aitken, the kid's a freak", that coming from the freak himself. Danny Nutley is quoted in the most recent addition of Shark magazine saying Aitken has the best ball skills he has ever seen on a team mate. I can't wait to see him hopefully fulfil his potential this season.
The other kid, Simmons, a full back or centre, has only been playing Rugby League for about 4 years but was our best in reserve grade last year. He like Aitken is slightly built, but is a natural athlete. Before taking up League he was a rep soccer player, and my brother and another mate rate him the best junior soccer player they had ever laid eyes on. His best aspect was apparently his vision. Well according to Theo Burgess, Simmo has carried this skill across to League, and Theo compares Simmo's vision to that of Lockyer. Only time will tell. We may not see him early this year as Simmo has recently undergoing a shoulder op, but hopefully he'll force his way to firsts in due time.
Others like the aggressive Reece Williams and double Australian schoolboy centre Stephen Ross are waiting in the wings.
Bring on 2004.
