The Sharks’ premiership credentials have been called into question with claims the club has had a fortunate run in the finals so far.
After finishing fifth at the end of the regular season, the Sharks knocked over the Roosters in their week one elimination final before overcoming the Raiders in Canberra in the semi-finals in week two.
But the Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read feels as though the Sharks have had an easy run, and have been helped by their opponents.
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“I’ll tell you what, they’ve had a charmed life in the last couple of weeks,” Read said on NRL 360 on Monday night.
“They played the Roosters in week one of the finals. The Roosters were bang average. It was their worst performance for a couple of months.
“They go to Canberra last weekend, Ethan Strange, arguably their best player, gets ruled out (due to an illness) on the morning of the game.”
Read then pointed out the Sharks had a favourable draw towards the end of the regular season.
“They won seven out of their last eight in the regular season and it was a soft run,” Read said.
In those eight games that Read made reference to, the Sharks only having played against two top eight opponents, the Roosters in Round 20 (winning 31-18) and the Bulldogs in Round 27 (winning 24-6).
But host Braith Anasta was more optimistic about the Sharks’ chances than Read.
“I said last week, I don’t think they can win the comp,” Anasta said.
“After the weekend, I’ve changed my mind.
“I don’t have them as favourites, but I think it’s possible now.”
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Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield highlighted the strength in the Sharks’ defence in recent weeks.
“In the last three weeks, against the Bulldogs, Roosters and Canberra, they’ve conceded less than 10 points a game on average,” Rothfield said.
While Read wasn’t convinced over the Sharks’ title chances, he heaped praise on rejuvenated halfback Nicho Hynes. The $7 million star has come under fire this season but stepped up when Cronulla needed him.
“I’ll tell you who I think has answered the critics in the last two weeks, Nicho Hynes,” Read said.
“I think he’s been magnificent.”
Anasta agreed with Read.
“On Nicho, I thought that was a real moment for him, that game on the weekend,” Anasta said.
“Yes, he’s had his critics, and for good reason, but on the weekend, with all the pressure on him, going down to Canberra, he delivered.”
Rothfield credits the Sharks’ success with coach Craig Fitzgibbon, praising the coach for putting his trust in both Hynes and five-eighth Braydon Trindall.
“I’ll tell you why they’re still alive,” Rothfield said.
“They had a trusting coach, knowing when there were bumpy sports during the year, and mid-year, he stuck with those two halves.”
The Sharks will face the Storm in a preliminary final at AAMI Park on Friday night.
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