Bulldog’s Bite: Horror statistics expose uphill battle facing Cronulla Sharks in NRL finals against Penrith Panthers
Penrith can be a cruel team at times, having dealt out some seemingly irreversible emotional damage to Cronulla that makes their preliminary final task even more daunting. DEAN RITCHIE reveals the damning statistics in Bulldog’s Bite.
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This is the 90-0 psychological wound that will torture Cronulla.
No-one can surely reverse this.
Not even psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud could repair the emotional damage suffered by Sharks players.
Penrith can be such a cruel team at times.
In an extraordinary and alarming sequence of points, Penrith has demolished Cronulla by 90-0 over the past 228 minutes of rugby league played between the two sides.
That’s 15 successive tries scored by Penrith against the Sharks – a point scored every 2.5 minutes and a try every 15 minutes.
It is the most damning and concerning statistic of this season’s NRL finals.
The shellacking has prompted questions around Cronulla’s mental scars ahead of Saturday night’s preliminary final against Penrith at Accor Stadium.
To overturn the trend in such a big game would be one of the all-time great coaching performances.
But can anyone really predict an upset?
Since 1980, only five teams have scored 100 unanswered points against a rival side. Should we make it six?
In round 12 this year at PointsBet Stadium, Penrith beat the Sharks 42-0, scoring seven tries.
The Panthers walloped Cronulla 28-0 in a round 22 match last year at BlueBet Stadium, posting five tries.
And in a round 19 match in 2022, Penrith piled on 20 unanswered points through three consecutive tries for a 20-10 win.
That’s 90-0. Talk about one team having a rival’s measure.
It’s difficult to determine what’s more damaging – Penrith posting so many consecutive tries or Cronulla failing to score a single point.
In the 2022 game, Sharks player Matt Moylan scored in the 11th minute with Nicho Hynes converting a minute later.
The Sharks haven’t posted a point against Penrith since.
“It’s a good statistic in Penrith’s eyes, don’t get me wrong. It’s a great result for Penrith,” said former Panthers premiership-winning captain, Craig Gower.
“But I don’t think the Sharks are thinking about what’s gone on in the past. They can only control the future. I don’t think it means that much.
“Most things go out the window in semi-finals. In the big games, it’s all about the moment when you can capitalise. The mental advantage is that Penrith have been there and done it and the Sharks haven’t. Penrith has the runs on the board in the big occasions.”
Former Sharks coach Stuart Raper was unconcerned.
“Cronulla is smart enough not to let those type of stats get in the way,” Raper said. “Stats can paint a picture but when you dig deeper, there might be reasons. You’d have to look at each individual game.
“We’re in finals football now. Cronulla can also pile on the points too. I think they have to muscle up against the Penrith pack. The Sharks will go in with a nothing-to-lose attitude.”
The TAB has Penrith $1.25 favourites with Cronulla $4 outsiders.
“It’s one-way traffic, betting wise. The Sharks are totally friendless with Penrith taking 87 per cent of head-to-head investments with TAB,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“The Sharks went up at $3.50 and have already blown out to $4 with the Panthers $1.30 into $1.25. Punters think Penrith will win and win big with that recent history of racking up big results on the Sharks.
“A Sharks win would be first finals upset in almost exactly two years, with favourites winning the past 17 finals matches since Parramatta upstaged the Cowboys in the 2022 preliminary final.”
DOG TREATS
There was a who’s who of rugby league, and Sydney’s social set, in the Allianz Stadium chairman’s suite for last Saturday night’s qualifying final between the Roosters and Manly.
TV stars Scott Cam, Matt Shirvington, Peter Overton and Mark Ferguson were there along with Australian shoe designer Terry Biviano, who is the wife of Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello, and NSW Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders.
Other luminaries in the box included host Peter V’landys, Andrew Abdo, Nick Politis, Mark Bouris, Don Furner, Cliff Lyons, Ben English, Tim Morrissey, John Vellis, Scott, Rick and Heather Penn, Tony Mestrov, Joe Kelly, Luke Ricketson, Tony McGrath, David Gallop and Matt White.
Our own Phil Rothfield was also there to set a new party pie eating record. We reckon Buzz had demolished eight by full-time.
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Bulldogs edge forward Jake Preston has never forgotten his grassroots.
Preston played under 16s with the Forestville Ferrets on Sydney’s northern beaches before his upward journey to the NRL started.
He returned to the Ferrets last Saturday to attend presentation day.
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Former Test halfback and keen golfer Brett Kimmorley celebrated a hole-in-one last weekend.
There was a loud cheer from the clubhouse when ‘Noddy’ aced the 18th at Cronulla golf club.
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New Parramatta star Zac Lomax was spotted running the water for his childhood country footy club, Temora Dragons, last Sunday week.
Temora was beaten 24-4 in the preliminary final by Wagga Kangaroos, who ultimately lost to Young Cherrypickers in Sunday’s group nine grand final.
Full marks to Zac Lomax - ran the water for his old club Temora last weekend. Sadly, he couldn't inspire them - lost to Wagga Kangaroos.
— The Mole (@9_Moley) September 18, 2024
PS - Wagga forgot to bring their gear - had to borrow kit of Albury.
Gotta love bush footy!!! pic.twitter.com/oq7FBrpqxo
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Which club may consider moving on a star player if they can find a first-rate halfback? It seems the club cannot join the premiership heavyweights until signing a decent number seven.
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Fox Sports commentator and NRL legend Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander has an emerging horse called Hooligan Tommy, who has won his last two starts impressively.
Hooligan Tommy ran in the Derby earlier this year, finishing unplaced, but has returned a promising young stayer and one to watch this spring.
Meanwhile champion jockey James McDonald – who rode four winners at Randwick last Saturday – was spotted among the sellout crowd for Saturday night’s Roosters-Manly qualifying final.
New Zealand-born McDonald had earlier celebrated the All Blacks’ win over Australia.
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He has been busy completing Newcastle’s end-of-season review while also being linked to the vacant St George Illawarra CEO position.
But it didn’t stop Knights general manager of football Peter Parr sneaking away last Friday for a night of relaxation at beautiful Terrigal with wife Kirrilly.
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Originally published as Bulldog’s Bite: Horror statistics expose uphill battle facing Cronulla Sharks in NRL finals against Penrith Panthers
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