Cronulla Sharks aim to maintain momentum in clash against Parramatta Eels
FOR Cronulla, it’s the same team. Same venue. Same lucky number — but there is one crucial difference leading into Saturday’s clash with Parramatta.
Footy Form
Don't miss out on the headlines from Footy Form. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Same team. Same venue. Same lucky number … but one crucial difference.
Six years ago the Cronulla Sharks broke an 11-game losing sequence against the Parramatta Eels with an 11-nil score line.
This weekend the Sharks, with 11 straight wins, again play the Parramatta Eels at the same venue trying to beat their longest ever winning sequence.
Paul Gallen and Jason Bukuya are the only two survivors from 2010 when the Sharks knocked off the Eels, ending Ricky Stuart’s and the club’s worst losing run that started in round 16, 2009 and continued until round 4, 2010.
How times have changed, not that the Sharks are concerned about breaking records or even thinking back to the bad old days.
“We just want to keep winning,” Gallen says, “And we know Parramatta are going to be really hard to beat as they’ve shown in every game this season.
“It’s a credit to them with everything that has gone on that they are playing so good every week.
“While we’ve come a long way since 2010, we’ve got a job to do and we know it’s going to be another tough assignment.”
Tim Mannah came off the bench that day is the only remaining player from that Eels side. Despite the near certainty they will lose 12 competition points next week for the salary cap rorts, the Eels are showing absolutely no signs of giving up.
They have picked up 10 competition points in the last five weeks with two byes and victories over the Knights, Titans and Rabbitohs.
Even without the 12 points they are level on the table with the Roosters and Manly and ahead of the Knights. They would need to win nine of their last 10 to sneak into the finals. Highly unlikely but still possible.
“No one has given up and we’re really looking forward to the game,” said coach Brad Arthur. “It’s just another important game for us.”
Originally published as Cronulla Sharks aim to maintain momentum in clash against Parramatta Eels
Get your 2019 NRL tipping chart
Whether you’re getting the office together or just organising the family tipping competition, you’re going to need a tipping chart. We’ve got you covered. DOWNLOAD YOUR CHART HERE.
Storm’s new iceman sledges Cronk
WITH Cooper Cronk’s departure last season, Cameron Munster has emerged as Melbourne’s clutch hero in 2018, and the playmaker let his former teammate know all about his new-found talent.