‘It’s just terrible’: Coach names and shames
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has named and shamed Bunker official Chris Butler after going scorched earth on a “terrible” call.
Sharks
‘So wrong’: NRL makes itself a laughing stock
The Penrith Panthers are through to a fifth straight grand final but only after surviving a Bunker call that left the NRL world fuming.
Superstar a whisker away from perfect 10: Every Panther, Shark rated
Penrith were far from their best against a gritty Cronulla side, but one man stood tall to lead them into their fifth consecutive grand final. Check out our player ratings and have your say!
‘Funniest man ever’: Grant lifts the lid on ex-housemate Trindall
Braydon Trindall has beaten the odds to carve out an NRL career, and his good friend and potential grand final foe Harry Grant has insight on his early days.
Mixed news on injured Sharks stars
The Sharks have received a huge boost with a key outside back cleared to face Penrith, but the news isn’t as promising for one of their most important players.
Sharks’ $7m dilemma over shock switch
The Sharks are reportedly moving star playmaker Nicho Hynes into a different position after failing to take control of the team.
Paupers vs Princes: Sharks cry poor as Panthers showered with cash
While the Panthers are getting a new $300m stadium, the Sharks haven’t been given a cent. Now CEO Dino Mezzatesta has called for urgent government funding, as the club chases history.
Watch: Sharks players’ emotional plea to find former teammate
Michael Speechley was unmissable on the field, with his strawberry blond hair and trademark grasscutting tackles. But former Sharks teammates haven’t seen him in years, and they’re worried.
90-0: The psychological wound that tortures Cronulla
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.
Talakai’s inside knowledge of Penrith’s premiership traps
He was in the Penrith system – if only momentarily – and thanks to a sliding door moment Siosifa Talakai will face his old teammates in a do-or-die preliminary final on Saturday.
Buzz: Trindall on drugs test, gambling room ban, Sharks debt
Braydon Trindall’s career defining game against the Cowboys can be linked to a massive mid-season wake-up call. The Sharks halfback speaks to Phil Rothfield about the moment he turned his career, and life, around.
The Cleary chat that transformed Hynes
They’ll be foes on the field next week, but Nicho Hynes has revealed how chats with Nathan Cleary have helped him elevate his game and taught him how to block out the noise.
‘Impossible’ to ignore: How Sharks dealt with Hynes ‘axing’ pile-on
Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has revealed how the club confronted the noise around whether $1 million halfback Nicho Hynes should be dropped ahead of the semi-final. WATCH THE VIDEO
‘Pretty sad’: NRL ‘should be embarrassed’
In a battle of the footy codes on Friday night in Sydney, the AFL has claimed a huge victory in the heart of the rugby league world.
NRL Finals: The bunker call that disgusted a rugby league veteran
It was the bunker call so triggering a former NRL coach turned off the Cronulla-North Queensland semi-final in favour for the AFL. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS dissects the decision that changed the trajectory of the do-or-die clash.
‘Shattered’ Thurston’s brutal Cowboys truth
The Sharks have booked a place in the NRL prelim but Cowboys club legend Johnathan Thurston has laid his former side’s issues bare.
Unsung Cronulla hero misses perfect 10: Every Shark, Cowboy rated
Cronulla ended its seven-game finals slide against North Queensland – and they have one man to thank. Check out our player ratings and have your say!
‘That’s wrong’: NRL legends in disbelief
Cameron Smith and Paul Vautin have been left fuming over a penalty try decision that blew open the Sharks-Cowboys semi-final.
300 stitches: The NRL player who bleeds putting his shirt on
Cameron McInnes starts bleeding if he puts on a shirt that’s too tight, but every scab, scar and cut is a testament to the toughness of the Cronulla warhorse. See the pictures of the toll the NRL has left on the Sharks captain through the years.
500 FREE TICKETS: How you can watch Cowboys in Sydney
Hundreds of footy fans will score free tickets to cheer on the Cowboys in Friday night’s elimination final after an 11th hour special promotion. This is how you can enter:
Cowboys coach fires brutal barb at Sharks’ finals curse
The mind games have begun ahead of the blockbuster Cowboys-Sharks clash, with Todd Payten reminding Cronulla of their horror finals record and questioning their premiership credentials.
The Sunshine Coast product who can sink Qld’s only title hope
Cronulla five-eighth Daniel Atkinson learned his craft as a kid in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast watching his Maroons heroes in State of Origin. Now his job is to kill off Queensland’s last title hope by knocking off the Cowboys.
55 reasons Payten is under more pressure than Fitzgibbon
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is desperate to end his side’s winless finals run which extends to 2018. However, there are 55 reasons that Cowboys coach Todd Payten is under more pressure when the two collide in their elimination final.
‘Confirmation bias’: Support for Hynes explained
After shutting down any talk of dropping Nicho Hynes, the Cronulla coach declared just how much he supports his star player.
Sharks a ‘better team’ with Hynes in it
His spot in the team has been questioned by outsiders, but Nicho Hynes’ teammates have never been more sure that he’s the man who can win them a title.
Turning point that saved Talakai’s career
He spent some time working as a garbo, but Siosifa Talakai is now one of rugby league’s most feared men after cleaning up his act off the field.
How Hynes handled Origin heartbreak
The Blues’ loss has been Cronulla’s gain, with teammates impressed with how Nicho Hynes has handled himself since missing out on the NSW side.
Sharks player told to cover up ‘vile’ tattoos
A Cronulla footballer has been told to cover up an offensive tattoo or be banned from playing after a photo spread across cyberspace.
‘Unfair’: NSW star botches Origin audition
Every fan was left saying the same thing, but Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has defended Nicho Hynes after a brutal Origin audition.
Hammer blow: Hynes fails to nail Origin audition
Nicho Hynes’ hopes of retaining his Blues jersey have suffered a blow as the Sharks fell short against the Dolphins, after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow produced a stunning solo try.
‘Against U15s’: NRL in disbelief over freak act
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has set the NRL on fire with one of the best tries of the season to blow the Sharks out of the water on Thursday night.
Simple message for Hynes amid Origin pressure
With his NSW spot under pressure, Nicho Hynes returns to action for Cronulla with a key message from his coach to put the noise to one side.
Roosters make brutal Brandon Smith call
Brandon Smith has paid the price for his team breach, while a star Tiger has been moved and Origin hopefuls are back in round 15.
Sex act simulation ruins NRL history
A Cronulla star has given a perfect response after a spectator was filmed simulating a sex act during a special moment.
Broncos nightmare in ‘worst half’ disaster
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has described his side’s second half against Cronulla in Round 14 as “probably our worst half of football (this season).”
Broncos’ title aspirations dented by ruthless Sharks
Alarm bells are ringing at the Broncos after they were toppled at home by a Sharks side missing Nicho Hynes, with Brisbane now already equalling their regular season loss tally from 2023.
NRL faces up to $60m loss over new gambling laws
New gambling legislations are set to cost the NRL millions, while also having huge repercussions for not just the top end of the game, but also grassroots and women’s rugby league. See which two clubs are already impacted.
Hynes’ one chance to impress selectors
There have been calls for Mitch Moses to replace Nicho Hynes at halfback for the Blues, with the Sharks star left with one club game to convince selectors to retain him.
‘Can’t believe’: Moses leaves NRL in disbelief
Mitchell Moses’ Eels comeback has breathed new life into Parramatta’s season but the NRL world has all called for the same thing.
Moses magic ignites Parra as Eels snap horror loss streak
Playing his first game of NRL in over three months, Parramatta star Mitchell Moses showed no signs of rust as he lead his side to victory, as the Sharks’ slide continued.
NRL bad boy returns after ‘painful’ lesson
Craig Fitzgibbon says star half Braydon Trindall has learned a painful lesson as he prepares to make his NRL return.
Loophole: Guilty Trindall clear to play for Sharks
Cronulla Sharks star Braydon Trindall has learned his fate in court after pleading guilty to charges of drink-driving and failing an illicit road-test.
Buzz’s Top 8 Race: Five teams fighting for one finals spot
As we approach the halfway point of the NRL season, five clubs can begin planning their Mad Mondays. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals the finals certainties, the likely contenders, the maybes and the teams already on the finals scrapheap.
Chaos as NSW star’s Origin call swings
Sharks playmaker Nicho Hynes has been rocked by drama just hours before NSW announces its team for State of Origin Game 1.
Contenders or pretenders? Luai stands up as Panthers expose Sharks
The Sharks seemingly confirmed their premiership credentials after beating the Roosters and Storm, but the Panthers may have exposed them as pretenders, shattering their seven game win streak.
’Embarrassing’: Sharks’ brutal reality check
In another reminder the NRL premiership isn’t won in May, the competition ladder-leaders have been blown away on their home ground.
‘Face says it all’: Hynes, NSW in disarray
In front of NSW coach Michael Maguire, a near certainty for the Blues’ No. 7 jersey has returned the state to the drawing board.
Barrett’s first interview as Eels coach
He’s already had two stints as an NRL coach, and Trent Barrett now has a few months to show Eels bosses that he has what it takes to be the man to replace Brad Arthur.
Final audition for Sharks Origin hopefuls
A host of Sharks stars have 80 more minutes to prove they belong in the Blues team.
Matty Johns: The extraordinary factor in Nicho Hynes’ form
Nicho Hynes is a better footballer now than when he had the 2022 Dally M medal places around his neck – even with added off-field pressure, writes MATTY JOHNS.
Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/sharks