Valentine Holmes makes history as Sharks surge past Knights to win 38-12
IT may have been a tongue-in-cheek comment, but it clearly showed just how desperate Cronulla are to retain superstar fullback Val Holmes.
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IT may have been a tongue-in-cheek comment, but it clearly showed just how desperate Cronulla are to retain superstar fullback Val Holmes.
“It’s the number one priority. He can break a game open. We will sell one floor of the Leagues Club if we have to,” Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.
And why wouldn’t they.
Holmes was brilliant against Newcastle, scoring a wonderful try — his 20th of the season — in the Sharks’ 38-12 victory.
It is the first time a Cronulla player has ever scored 20 tries in one season. Holmes scored 19 in 2016 to equal former fullback David Peachey’s record he set in 1999.
Holmes is wrestling with the decision on whether to move to North Queensland on a bumper deal.
“My word we want him to stay here. You saw what he did today, he is a superstar,” Flanagan said.
“The club is doing everything we can to keep him here.
“He’s got confidence, he’s got that swagger, the belief. He’s an athlete and a footy player.”
Kyle Flanagan, who played in the halves for injured star Matt Moylan, was solid on debut.
The son of head coach Shane, Kyle started his NRL career with a swinging arm which attracted a penalty after just two minutes.
“I thought as the game went on he got better,” said Shane Flanagan.
“As the game went on, he got more involved and was more comfortable.
“I knew he was going to play first grade at some stage but I just didn’t know when, as a coach, not his father. He has been ready for a while.
“I was really pleased he could play today with guys like Luke Lewis,, Andrew Fifita, Matt Prior, Aaron Woods, Josh Dugan … all those rep players.
“A young half coming into a team with all that experience; I think we had eight Origin and Test players. If you want to make your debut, you probably want to do it at the Sharks at present.”
Sharks teammate Luke Lewis added: “A lot of us told him not to think too much about it, to just go and out and play your game and let Chad Townsend sort out the game plan.
“I think he did really well, to be honest. He has been ready to take that step. He has ticked all the boxes. Nothing fazed him and got in the mix early. He has a big future.”
CRONULLA 38 (E Lee 2 J Dugan S Feki V Holmes C Townsend tries V Holmes 6 E Lee goals) bt NEWCASTLE 12 (N Meaney D Saifiti tries K Sio 2 goals) at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Referee: Jon Stone, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
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