Season Preview: Cronulla Sharks

Off-season moves Ins Jonaiah Lualua (2021), Jack Martin (2021), Luke Metcalf (Manly Sea Eagles, 2021), Aiden Tolman (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2021) [caption id="attachment_32389" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Aiden Tolman of the Bulldogs catches the ball during the round four AFL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on March 30, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Outs Jayson Bukuya (retired), Cameron King (retired), Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers) 2020 Recap In 2020 the Sharks were ... average. Scored as many points as they conceded in the regular season, yet ultimately proved to be nothing more than fodder at the business end of the year. They didn't beat a top eight side all year, routinely being wiped off the park by the big boys. That said, they also handled the sides below them with some ease, which saw them finish eighth. Injuries to key players had a huge say in their 2020 fortunes but their inability to beat the sides above them proved fatal in terms of their season. Their exciting crop of youngsters all have another year under their belt which should provide fruitful moving forward. Katoa, Brailey, Mulitalo, Rudolf, Hamlin-Uele and co are now cemented first graders and look better for the year. [caption id="attachment_56661" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Sione Katoa of the Sharks celebrates scoring a try during the round seven NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Cronulla Sharks at Central Coast Stadium on June 28, 2020 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] 2020 felt like a stopgap year, almost a rebuilding year as such, yet was transformed into something potentially more due to the brilliance of one man; Shaun Johnson. Recruitment Impact The Sharks salary cap situation limited their action in the marketplace this off-season. That said they've added the versatile Luke Metcalf, who returns after a spell at Manly. They've also addressed a major weakness in adding Aiden Tolman. Cronulla missed a mountain of tackles in 2021, so although he isn't a marquee signing, Tolman's ability to make over 90% of his tackles will prove a huge asset to his new club. Throw in his experience and this is a value move. Jayson Bukuya's retirement was confirmed mid last season. His contribution to the club cannot be understated but the Sharks were able to cover his loss last year. Ditto with Scott Sorenson who had a very positive year in 2020. With the Sharks landing Cameron McInnes for 2021 they've got their difference maker. His presence will allow an 80 minute lock, a troublesome position in the Shire since Paul Gallen's retirement. It also enables a four prop rotation that should benefit the black, white and blue. https://youtu.be/zztca5K4Zhs See Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws Talking Points Shaun Johnson Injury: Shaun Johnson was nothing short of incredible last year for the Sharks. He was at the root of almost everything positive that the club did on the field in 2020. He finished top of the try assist count despite playing five less games than those around him. He was Cronulla's best player by the length of a football field and then some. When he went down with a serious injury, the Sharks season was done. He will miss anywhere from four to 10 weeks to start this season. He is brilliant but not a miracle worker. If the Sharks are 2-8 when he returns, forget it. If they're 6-4 then they're surely finals found. His side need to be in a position of strength when he returns to be able to make full use of their megastar half. Can their stars stay fit?: The big question that looms over the Sharks again in 2021 after being the major talking point last year. For the Sharks to be successful they need their best players on the park (obviously). The unfortunate reality is that the Sharks highest paid players have all struggled with injuries over the past two months. This side is a far different proposition with a fully fit Moylan, Johnson, Fifita and Dugan than without. If those four play every game this year, I can't see a way they don't make the eight. If those four play less than half, then I can't see any way the Sharks do make the eight. [caption id="attachment_78750" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Andrew Fifita of the Sharks is tackled during the round 20 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canberra Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Different Pre-Season: All the talk coming out of the Sharks is that they've completely revamped their pre-season training. Last year it was all ball work. Everything was run with a ball in hand. The Sharks scored plenty of points but conceded just as many with the changes in rules affecting their forwards in a big way. This year the Sharks have focused on running and fitness and look a million dollars. Almost every player has slimmed down, some drastically so. Will this provide them an edge or will the drop in size cost them? Andrew Fifita looks better than he has since 2017 which leads me to believe he's in for a huge season. Prediction 9th The Sharks are, undoubtedly, the hardest team to predict. They have the firepower to finish as high as fifth, or they have the "ability" to finish as low as 12th. It all depends on factors that they simply cannot rely on right now. Shaun Johnson is one of the game's elite players. Wade Graham is the best ball playing second rower in the game. Matt Moylan is a try assist machine when fit. Jesse Ramien is almost impossible to tackle when he's on song. When will Johnson be back? Can Wade overcome a poor 2020? Can Moylan stay fit? When will Ramien be on song? Then of course there's the coaching situation. Until John Morris is either relieved or re-signed there will be constant talk re the future of the role. Shane Flanagan's name will never truly not be linked to the role given his history. [caption id="attachment_56131" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Sharks coach John Morris watches on during a Cronulla Sharks NRL training session at PointsBet Stadium on June 02, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Honestly how do you rank this side? Last year they scored literally as many points as they conceded. On any given day they could put 50 on a side, or cop 50. Their not beating a single top eight side last year fills me with worry. Then again, they fact they beat almost everyone they were expected to shows some level of consistency. Ultimately it will all come down to how Moylan starts the season. He fills in at six while Johnson is injured. If he returns to top form, then the Sharks will be fine. He took the side to a Prelim in 2018 with a similar (minus Val Homes) wide. They look far better than six sides but a step or two behind six. Where they fall from there depends on injuries, tight finishes and luck.

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CAN	8	7	1	16	94
2	CBR	9	7	2	14	60
3	NZW	8	6	2	14	0
4	MEL	8	5	3	12	76
5	BRI	9	5	4	10	54
6	CRO	9	5	4	10	49
7	MAN	8	4	4	10	36
8	WST	9	5	4	10	20

Season Preview: Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks enter 2021 as one of the most difficult to preview. We look to answer the questions looming for Cronulla ahead of the new season.

1. Off-season moves

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