Group 7 minor premiership on the line in biggest ever Shellharbour derby: Coaches pick out opposition threats
The equation is simple: the winner of the Shellharbour derby wins the minor premiership. It’s all on the line, see the full preview and who the coaches think are the biggest opposition threats.
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Sunday’s mouth-watering local derby between the Shellharbour Sharks and the Stingrays of Shellharbour is poised to be the biggest clash between the two sides in Group 7 first grade history.
The Stingrays sit in first place on the ladder, one spot ahead of the Sharks in second, with the winner of the match securing the minor premiership and earning themselves a week off in the first round of finals.
It’s the biggest match of the season so far between the league’s two most in-form sides, with the Sharks in particular on an incredible 11-game winning run that stretches back to May.
“The boys are playing well and with plenty of confidence,” Sharks coach Abed Atallah said.
“It falls back to our defensive attitude which has allowed our attack to come a long way.”
The Sharks boast the best defensive record in the league by far, averaging just 11 points conceded per game.
When the sides met earlier in the year it was the Sharks who got the job done, winning 20-12 at Flinders Field, with Stingrays captain Tommy Warner saying that their opponents “out-enthused us at our home”.
“We just got knocked down and outplayed on the day,” Warner said.
“Our discipline on the footy wasn’t where it should have been that day, we were giving away too many penalties, so we’ll be wary of that this time round.”
The Shellharbour derby is fresh to the picture in Group 7, with the Stingrays of Shellharbour the newest of the current ten teams to enter the competition, having arrived in 2017.
As a result, both coaches highlighted that there’s more mutual respect than animosity between the cross-town rivals.
That being said, both were in agreement that this is by far the biggest meeting between the two Shellharbour sides in the history of the competition with so much at stake.
“There’s a bit of respect for sure, both teams know how well the other are travelling,” Atallah said.
“It’s a local derby either way though with a minor premiership on the line, so both teams will no doubt be throwing everything at it.”
The rise of both Shellharbour sides in 2023 was unprecedented. The Sharks have failed to make a finals series since their minor premiership in 2019, while this is only the second appearance for the Stingrays in their history after a fourth-place finish in 2022.
“Both clubs have struggled for the past few years,” Warner said.
“We only just made our first finals series last year and it was unlike the Sharks to miss the finals for the last couple of years.
“It’d mean so much to the club, a maiden minor premiership.”
Coaches pick opposition threats
Both coaches were asked to pick out the opposition threats that they’re wary of ahead of the derby this weekend.
Atallah instinctively went to the dangerous forward pack of the Stingrays, saying his side will have to “really step up” in order to deal with their threats.
Atallah highlighted big bench threat Jake Kamire as one they’re wary of, as well as edge back rowers and scoreboard regulars Zaan Weatherall and captain Tommy Warner.
He also added they’ll be looking to shut down elusive hooker Colby Smith who is a real game changer for the Stingrays.
As for Warner, he similarly went straight to the forward pack of the Sharks, highlighting the threat of former NRL player Josh Starling at prop forward.
“He’s one of the best in the competition,” Warner said.
“He’s so key in what they do in getting them on the front foot, super aggressive and tough to stop.”
Warner said his side are also wary of the right side combination between five-eighth Emanuel Sultana and try-hungry second rower James Ralphs, as well as the playmaking skill of hooker Brodie Rigg.
Coaches highlight their own weaponry
Atallah highlighted how much his halves combination of Isaac Morris and Emanuel Sultana have stepped up over the past eight to nine weeks while the Sharks have been in-form, turning their attack into one of the most formidable in the competition.
He echoed the sentiments of Warner regarding their dangerous forward pack, not for the first time this season praising the tireless work of front rowers Josh Starling and Matt Nicholson.
Atallah also highlighted his side’s bench power and the “next man up mentality” they have when it comes to their squad depth, showcased through bench threats Nicholas Hay, Max Wolfson and Bailey Wallace.
As for the Stingrays, Warner is always quick to point out the influence hooker Colby Smith has for their side, recalling how much he was missed when he was out for a period in the middle of the season.
Similarly to what Atallah identified as a threat, the right side edge of the Stingrays is always a target when you have Zaan Weatherall out there looking for tries.
Brother Ben Weatherall is another to keep an eye on from the wing, having played the game of his life last week where he notched four tries and an assist down that potent right wing for the Stingrays.
Everything is on the line in the Shellharbour derby which takes place at Ron Costello Oval at 3pm Sunday August 18.
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