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’We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge

Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.

Matt Jones
12 min read
September 8, 2024 - 7:17PM
News Sport Network
Sparks fly as head contact not binned

Despite flogging Manly 40-20 on their home turf, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon says his team is still yet to earn the respect from the NRL community.

The Sharks put in a professional performance to stun the 17,384 home fans who turned up willing Manly to win to lock in a home semi-final next weekend.

Instead, the Sharks ensured the Sea Eagles would head to Accor Stadium next Saturday for a clash against Canterbury.

The Sharks will travel south to Melbourne to play minor premiers the Storm and Fitzgibbon wasn’t expecting anyone to give them a hope.

“We’ve just got to work on earning each other’s respect and if we do that we’ll earn external respect eventually, at some point, maybe, I doubt it,” he said.

NRL 2024 RD27 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - celebbration. Picture: NRL Photos
NRL 2024 RD27 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - celebbration. Picture: NRL Photos

“We’ve got to deliver and until that happens it will still be there.

“To be fair to the players, I never sit here without hearing that (lack of respect for his team).

“I never start the week in the press conference hearing that, but we’ve earned the right.

“We’ve been in the top four the whole year, but that’s not going to get us over the line in the semis.”

It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Sharks, who ran fourth in the regular season, to go deep in this year’s finals.

While Melbourne is sailing along, fellow top four sides Penrith and the Roosters aren’t looking like the premiership heavyweights they were a month ago.

Fitzgibbon said his men have been trying to aspire to the level of those three clubs for a few years now.

“Penrith, Melbourne and Roosters know what it’s about and they’ve been right up there,” he said.

“Us other clubs are cracking away to try and get close and I feel like we’ve done a good job of getting closer this year.

“How close? We’ll find out in the next month. I’m pleased we’re in the top four.”

Fitzgibbon chats short turnaround finals

The Sharks have the extra disadvantage of taking on a Storm side next Saturday which has had an extra three days to prepare, having played on Thursday night.

Fitzgibbon looked a little annoyed when reminded of the shorter turnaround but said his men will just have to take on the challenge.

“We’re used to it,” he said.

“It’s three years in a row we’ve got a six-day turnaround for a semi. We have no choice.

“As far as preparation goes leading into the semis, they’ve had an ideal one. They looked strong the other night and have got a few players back but so do we.”

“We’ll be massive underdogs with our short turnaround and their long turnaround.

“They’re Melbourne and we’re the Sharks, it is what it is. But we’ve earned the right to get this game.”

Fitzgibbon said Sunday’s game showed his team was tough enough to go down to Melbourne and win again, like they did in Round 10 with a 25-18 win.

“We had to earn everything we got out of that game today because we were on the back foot to start with so to deal with that and come out the other side, that was the most pleasing thing,” he said.

NRL WINS TOO

Cronulla delivered an estimated $1 million bonus to the NRL after Sunday’s 40-20 defeat of Manly at Brookvale Oval.

The result means Canterbury will host a home final instead of Manly.

The extra 35,000 to 40,000 fans who will turn up at Accor next weekend to watch the two teams play will bank the NRL much more than a sold out 17,000 crowd on the northern beaches.

CHERRY GUESSING

For all his greatness as a ball-player, could Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans be a liability on the defensive side of the ball this finals series?

Cherry-Evans comes up and out of the defensive line so much and it bit him on the bum in the 22nd minute when Ronaldo Mulitalo scored.

He came up out of the line, got no-one, and it forced his outside backs to come in which freed up the Cronulla winger to score.

The tactic of rushing up on your own is a guess and hope one.

Manly’s defence hasn’t been consistent for years now.

Daly Cherry-Evans of Manly reacts during the round 27 NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park, on September 08, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Daly Cherry-Evans of Manly reacts during the round 27 NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park, on September 08, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Can they win a few low-scoring finals game?

Their season form suggests they can’t.

“I’m just worried about next week. Whatever it takes to be at our best against the Bulldogs, we’ll do,” Seibold said.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold said star fullback Tom Trbojevic will play next weekend.

The Sea Eagles beat the Bulldogs easily 34-22 at Accor a fortnight ago.

“What an occasion, what a game.” Siebold said.

“We expect them to be at their best and I expect both sides, with it all on the line, to be somewhere near their best.”

SC WINNERS AND LOSERS: PONGA, NIKORA TON UP

Tom Sangster sums up Sunday’s NRL SuperCoach action — the final two matches of the season.

SuperCoach winners:

* Kalyn Ponga (115) - Brilliant performance with 19, runs, 10 tackle busts and two try assists. Kept in touch with the best captains of the round in Jahrome Hughes (187) and James Tedesco (139).

* Herbie Farnworth (83) - Continued his surge as a late-season POD. 11 tackle busts.

* Greg Marzhew (55) - Popular SuperCoach winger produced a base stat special including 22 runs.

* Max Plath (68) - Solid as always from one of the most reliable players in the game.

* Briton Nikora (123) - Two tries in a stunning performance. One of the NRL’s elite back rowers right now.

* Ronaldo Mulitalo (88) - Returned from injury in a crucial boost for many SuperCoaches and crossed for a try.

* Haumole Olakau’atu (82) - Arguably Manly’s best with a try and plenty of work.

SuperCoach losers:

* Jack Bostock (13) - Hopefully you didn’t need to play the former early season cheapie in the final round.

* Tevita Pangai (34) - Struggled to keep pace with the Newcastle forwards.

* Nicho Hynes (45) - Didn’t need to get involved as much as usual as players starred around him.

* Reuben Garrick (33) - Lowest non-injury-affected score of the year for the popular SuperCoach gun.

FULL-TIME: KNIGHTS 14 DEFEAT DOLPHINS 6

The Knights have secured eighth spot and a trip to Townsville with victory over the Dolphins.

Kalyn Ponga was in everything as he inspired the Knights to a famous victory.

Do the Knights rely on Ponga too much?

We’ll see against the Cowboys.

68 MINS: DOLPHIN TARGETS PONGA WITH CYNICAL SHOT

Jesse Bromwich has been sent for 10 in the sin bin for a high shot on Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga.

Ponga was lying prone on the ground when Bromwich hit him high and with force.

It was a nervous moment for Ponga given his long history of concussions, but he remains on the field and also appears unaffected by an earlier shoulder injury.

63 MINS: PONGA CLUTCHES AT SHOULDER

The Knights have one hand on a top eight spot but there is concern for Kalyn Ponga after the star fullback was left clutching at his shoulder.

Ponga went right to the line and copped a whack for his troubles in an attempt to set up winger Greg Marzhew, who was taken into touch.

Ponga has stayed on the field.

54 MINS: KNIGHTS TAKE 14-NIL LEAD

Kalyn Ponga has banged over a simple penalty goal to put the Knights ahead by more than two converted tries.

Jeremy Marshall-King was penalised for an escort and Ponga banged the kick over from right next to the posts.

48 MINS: KALYN PONGA, YOU FREE

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

The Knights needed a big one from their star fullback in the top eight play-off and boy did he just deliver.

Ponga ducked, dived and ran 50 metres across field before putting Brodie Jones under the posts.

It’s 12-nil to the Knights and a top eight spot beckons.

Even Wayne Bennett is animated as his side’s season goes on the line.

HALF-TIME: KNIGHTS 6 LEAD DOLPHINS 0

Kalyn Ponga was the dominant figure in the first half with a try assist and six tackle busts.

But the game is still very much up in the air after a finals-like half of footy punctuated by big hits, classy plays and plenty of nervous moments.

Trai Fuller looked dangerous for the Dolphins and had a try disallowed due to obstruction.

29 MINS: PONGA SETS UP OPENING TRY

It’s not often we see 29 minutes without a try in the NRL these days, but it was always going to be Kalyn Ponga who broke the deadlock.

Ponga went into dummy half and latched onto a quick play-the ball, putting Adam Elliott over under the posts.

The Knights lead 6-nil.

19 MINS: FRIZELL FORCED OFF

The Newcastle veteran has been taken from the field for an HIA.

Frizell’s head hit the ground heavily.

This was Frizell’s first game back from a category one concussion.

17 MINS: DOLPHINS’ BIG-MEN STRUGGLE TO KEEP PACE

It’s nil-all in the top eight play-off but the Newcastle pack has had the better of the early exchanges.

“Tevita Pangai and Jesse Bromwich are in strife here. They are struggling to keep up with the pace of the game,” said Michael Ennis in commentary.

The game is set up for the little men to fire in the back end.

Tevia Pangai has some defensive weaknesses. Picture: NRL Photos
Tevia Pangai has some defensive weaknesses. Picture: NRL Photos

FINAL TEAMS: QUADRUPLE BOOST FOR DOLPHINS

A number of big boosts for the Dolphins with Felise Kaufusi cleared at the judiciary and Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima back from concussions.

Herbie Farnworth will play despite a hamstring concern.

Mark Nicholls comes into the starting side at lock with Kenny Bromwich moving to the bench in the only change.

Popular SuperCoach player Kai Pearce-Paul has been cut from the Newcastle squad. He is still not recovered from a serious leg laceration.

Tyson Frizell (concussion) and Tyson Gamble (hand) are back with the Knights 1-17.

KNIGHTS VS DOLPHINS

Sunday 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Will Pryce 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones

Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant

Cut: 19. Will Pryce 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Sebastian Su’a 22. Kai Pearce-Paul

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls

Interchange: 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Ray Stone 17. Kodi Nikorima

Reserves: 20. Oryn Keeley

Cut: 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Isaiya Katoa 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Tesi Niu

Jesse Bromwich is back from concussion.
Jesse Bromwich is back from concussion.

WRAP: SUPERCOACHES HOPING FOR MORE FROM HYNES

SuperCoach winners:

* Briton Nikora (123) - Two tries in a stunning performance. One of the NRL’s elite back rowers right now.

* Ronaldo Mulitalo (88) - Returned from injury in a crucial boost for many SuperCoaches and crossed for a try.

* Haumole Olakau’atu (82) - Arguably Manly’s best with a try and plenty of work.

SuperCoach losers:

* Nicho Hynes (45) - Didn’t need to get involved as much as usual as players starred around him.

* Reuben Garrick (33) - Lowest non-injury-affected score of the year for the popular SuperCoach gun.

Full-time SuperCoach scores from Sharks v Sea Eagles.
Full-time SuperCoach scores from Sharks v Sea Eagles.

FULL-TIME: SHARKS 40 DEFEAT SEA EAGLES 20

The Sharks have set up a week one finals clash against Melbourne in Melbourne following a comfortable win over the Tom Trbojevic-less Sea Eagles.

Two late tries to backrower Briton Nikoria sealed the win.

Tom Hazelton could be a big loss for the finals after coming off with a knee injury.

Jesse Ramien also came of late due to an ankle injury.

63 MINS: GAME OVER FOR HAZELTON

Sharks gun Tom Hazelton has come from the field with a knee injury.

His availability going into the finals is now up in the air.

57 MINS: TWO QUICK TRTIES FOR SHARKS

The Sharks have taken a commanding 28-12 lead with Ronaldo Mulitalo and Daniel Atkinson the tryscorers.

Atkinson had only just come on the field as a super sub.

It looks like the Sharks will play the Storm in Melbourne for week one of the finals.

46 MINS: RAMIEN STAYS ON DESPITE BRUTAL HIT

Cronulla fans held their collective breath when star centre Jesse Ramien was pinged for a brutal hit on Karl Lawton.

Ramien is only just back from suspension and another stint on the sideline would have been a serious issue for the Sharks.

But Ramien was deemed to have hit Lawton with his chest.

Ramien was placed on report but didn’t get 10 in the bin.

Jesse Ramien placed on report.
Jesse Ramien placed on report.

HALF-TIME: SHARKS 16 LEAD SEA EAGLES 8

Big Tommy Hazelton off the bench has provided the spark to give the Sharks a handy lead at the break.

The cult prop set up a try right on the buzzer to get the Sharks ahead 16-8.

The opening 20 minutes were brutal with a number of massive collisions, while the closing 20 minutes were dominated by the yardage game Cronulla’s outside backs.

22 MINS: SEA EAGLES RUN IN TWO QUICK TRIES

Who needs Turbo when you’ve got Tolu Koula?

The young gun set up Tommy Talau’s try with deft footwork and an offload.

Then rookie winger Clayton Faulalo produced a spectacular take to catch a bomb and dot down.

Faulalo scored 29 tries in NSW Cup last year, the most of any player.

10 MINS: MANLY OPEN SCORING THROUGH KATOA

Just moments after Manly had a try knocked back at the other end, the Sharks have gone the length to score in the corner and take a 4-0 lead.

Sione Katoa crossed in the corner after the decoy of Briton Nikora attracted plenty of defence to give the Sharks winger and easy passage to the line.

5 MINS: MANLY TRY DISALLOWED

The Sea Eagles have been denied first points due to a Lehi Hopoate knock on.

Hoppa chased a Luke Brooks grubber and was initially awarded the try, but was ruled to not have grounded the ball under pressure from Will Kennedy.

KICK-OFF

We’re under way at Brookvale Oval.

It’s the eighth sell-out of the season for the Sea Eagles.

FINAL TEAMS: TWO BIG GUNS BACK FOR SHARKS

The Sharks have two key inclusions with Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Siosifa Talakai (calf) cleared to return.

Mulitalo will play his customary wing spot while Talakai comes onto the bench.

Royce Hunt will start at prop with Oregon Kaufusi dropping out.

The Sea Eagles are 1-17.

Tom Trbojevic missed the squad this week but will play through a shoulder injury for the finals.

SEA EAGLES VS SHARKS

Sunday 2pm, Brookvale Oval, Sydney

Sea Eagles

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley

Cut: 19. Jamie Humphreys 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Caleb Navale

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 16. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 17. Thomas Hazelton 19. Siosifa Talakai

Reserves: 20. Jayden Berrell

Cut: 10. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Samuel Stonestreet

Siosifa Talakai is back from a calf issue. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Siosifa Talakai is back from a calf issue. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Stakes high as season comes down to the wire

It’s the last day of the 2024 NRL regular season, meaning it’s the conclusion of the 2024 SuperCoach season as well.

One lucky player will be pocketing a cool $50k today, while cash is also on the line for those in runner-up places.

SuperCoach aside, it’s an afternoon of the utmost importance for finals fixtures next week.

The Sea Eagles host the Sharks in a bid to book themselves a home elimination final next week, while it’s do-or-die for the eighth spot in finals as the Knights take on the Dolphins.

At 2pm, it’ll be one last blast for popular CTW/FLB guns Kayal Iro and Reuben Garrick at 4 Pines Park.

Both are owned by over 35% of players and have been averaging scores in the 80s across their last three games. Garrick is coming off a monster 132 against the Bulldogs last week.

Reuben Garrick. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Reuben Garrick. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Kayal Iro. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
Kayal Iro. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

There’s no Tom Trbojevic for the Sea Eagles, which no doubt has frustrated the copious tradeless SuperCoaches out there.

Nicho Hynes had a low-scoring return to action last week with just 47 points, well below his high SuperCoach standards. He’ll be looking to bounce back to his best form ahead of finals.

Rounding off the SuperCoach season later in the arvo, it’ll be all eyes on Kalyn Ponga who was the most traded in player this round off the back of his 118 points last time out.

He’s not the only player fresh off a century though, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hitting 101 against the Broncos, showing the potential for high scores following his move into the centres for the Dolphins.

Jamayne Isaako is the most-owned player in this fixture but has been slumping lately, averaging just 47 across his last three.

Who do you need a big performance from today SuperCoaches?

Originally published as ’We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl/supercoach-news/nrl-live-supercoach-scores-and-analysis-from-sea-eagles-v-sharks-knights-v-dolphins/news-story/259bc89917140a451463a85dacd1c56c