Bulldog’s Bite: Premiership frontrunners Sharks don’t have mettle or mongrel to match NRL big guns

Cronulla risk establishing themselves as the NRL’s newest May premiers, with a massive five-week period against competition heavyweights to define their season. DEAN RITCHIE reveals why.

Dejected Cronulla Sharks. Picture: NRL Photos

They may lead the NRL competition with six wins from seven games but Cronulla still have a soft underbelly.

We’ve travelled this path before with Cronulla – rock stars during the season, a support act in the finals; contenders between March and August, pretenders in September.

I may not be welcome at PointsBet Stadium after those comments but I cannot elevate the Sharks into rugby league’s elite bracket, despite their early season success.

There has been a fragility about Cronulla over the past five years, so I ask … has anything changed in 2024?

Opposition clubs know that Cronulla don’t have the power game or combativeness to overcome big teams in big finals.

Cronulla were even labelled ‘flat track bullies’ and ‘pretenders’ last year. Unfair?

The Sharks are leading the NRL competition after eight rounds. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

I wonder whether rival clubs respect the Sharks as genuine NRL heavyweights. I have my doubts.

The retirement last week of hardened Dale Finucane – a three-time premiership winner – will only weaken Cronulla’s physical and mental muscle.

Perhaps the next five weeks may alter that mindset.

After Sunday’s local derby against St George Illawarra, Cronulla play Melbourne (a), the Sydney Roosters (h), Penrith (h), Parramatta (a) and Brisbane (a).

This will be the five weeks from hell.

It’s only then we will know whether Cronulla have the grunt and mettle to challenge for this year’s title.

Finals time is a concern for the Sharks. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Cronulla are a bloody good football team, no doubt. Well balanced with a first-class playmaker in Nicho Hynes.

But winning a grand final isn’t always about skill and application.

It’s about having the mongrel to roll around in the gutter when things become heated in big games.

It’s about getting dirty in September. You can’t buy self-confidence or belligerence. You either have it, or you don’t.

Cronulla have faded badly in finals during recent seasons.

Since 2016, they have won one of nine finals games and lost their last six in succession.

They went out in week one last year, week two in 2022 (straight sets), week one in 2020 and week one in 2019. Cronulla didn’t qualify for the 2021 finals.

The Sharks’ last finals win came way back in 2018.

“The only thing we can do, they can say all they want, we can tune in or tune out, but that conversation is always going to be there,” forward Toby Rudolf told Fox Sports pre-season.

Overall this season, Cronulla has a soft draw. They only play one of the current top eight – Canterbury – twice this season. The Sharks confront the other seven teams only once.

Will that lead us yet again into false hope around Cronulla?

Cronulla will start favourites against St George Illawarra this Sunday at PointsBet Stadium but the gruelling test comes over the following weeks.

We will finally learn whether this Sharks side is like those of the recent past – or whether they have the bottle to take on rugby league’s big guns.

DOG TREATS

The Roosters have an interest in champion Brisbane pair Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo.

But, I’m reliably told, Cobbo is more likely to land in Bondi than Staggs, who wants to remain in Brisbane.

I’m not saying Cobbo will sign with the Roosters, only that the Chooks know Staggs wants to remain a Bronco.

Their interest will centre around Cobbo. Both come off contract after next season.

The Roosters will have a $4m war chest following the end-of-season departures of Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and possibly Angus Crichton.

Selwyn Cobbo is in demand. Picture: NRL Photos

RUMOUR OF THE WEEK

Cheekiest rumour of the week? Warrington coach Sam Burgess will return to Souths next season and suggestions he played a role in the Rabbitohs’ recruitment of St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd.

It’s unlikely, but there appears an inevitability that Burgess will one day return to coach the Bunnies.

MOSES’ RETURN

Parramatta halfback Mitch Moses is on schedule for a round 12 return from injury.

Moses broke his foot against Manly in round three, and the Eels have won once in his absence. It appears Moses will be back for their Round 12 clash with South Sydney at Accor Stadium.

But medical advice will ultimately determine when he returns.

ROOSTERS’ NEXT $1M MAN

With Luke Keary to retire, will Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker evolve into the NRL’s next $1 million-a-season player?

He is already the heir apparent to Daly Cherry-Evans for the Queensland halfback spot.

Sam Walker could be the big winner from Luke Keary’s retirement. Picture: NRL Photos

KICK-OFF DEBATE

Former leading referee Greg Hartley is a firm believer that the long kick-off should remain.

Debate is raging around kicks off given the increasing concussions occurring through heavy collision.

“Rugby league is a gladiatorial sport and I think the long kick-off should stay,” Hartley said. “We can’t eradicate it because of the possibility of collisions, we just can’t.

“Maybe have a think tank but we can’t recommence play with a tap kick, as has been suggested.”

MARKET WATCH WHISPER

Which premiership-winning international player is certain to leave his current club after next season, despite denials, and the fact his club has opened discussions about a new long-term contract?

BROOKSVALE PRAISE

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has offered special praise for gun recruit Luke Brooks.

“He is definitely enjoying his footy and it helps having some good people around him like ‘Chez’ (Daly Cherry-Evans) and ‘Turbo’ (Tom Trbojevic),” Seibold said.

“He has brought his strengths – his running game and kicking game. He is also brave defensively.

“Coming to a new club can be daunting but he has brought a real team-first attitude. But first and foremost he is a real good bloke.”