Winnig The Close Contest Crucial To Shark's Success

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday February 28, 2008

LUKE KEENAN

CRONULLA typically showed promise but failed to realise it last season. This year new skipper Paul Gallen is confident of a much-improved finish, writes LUKE KEENAN.

At the start of each new season Cronulla's loyal but premiership-starved fans again wonder: could this be the year?

Since entering the premiership in 1967, the Sharks have never won the title.

Last year certainly wasn't their year.

The black, white and blues finished 11th - thanks in no small part to losing nine games by four points or less.

They boasted the fourth-best defensive record in the competition but that inability to close out tight contests no doubt cost them a top-four berth.

"We've been shaping up unreal - our skill level's picked up tenfold from last year," Gallen said.

"Hopefully we can keep the same defensive structure we had last year and just score a few more tries.

'We're not making any predictions like that (winning the premiership).

"But we don't want anything less than a semi-final appearance, that's for sure. We want to get there and be in a good position when we get there."

Gallen and five-eighth revelation Greg Bird came of age last season.

Both players made the State of Origin grade for NSW, while Bird was a standout filling in at pivot for an injured Darren Lockyer in the end-of-season Test against New Zealand.

And Gallen would have worn the green and gold that match but for injury.

The 26-year-old filled in for an injured Brett Kimmorley as skipper in the latter stages of the '07 season and has now got the job on a permanent basis.

"It's something I enjoy doing and I'm fortunate to be given the responsibility this year," he said.

"I'm not gonna let it effect me too much. I'm just gonna play a natural game.

"Noddy's (Kimmorley) still gonna be there and he's sort of the natural talker and leader so I'm just going to try and lead more by my actions than my words and let him do most of the talking."

Kimmorley standing down as captain could prove a masterstroke.

"I thought it best that I worry about myself and my own footy, rather than to also deal with the responsibility of the captaincy," Kimmorley, who has run hot and cold in recent seasons, said.

"If I can work towards getting back to my best by doing that, I think the team will certainly benefit."

If utilities Brett Kearney and Dustin Cooper are fit this season it is sure to help Cronulla's cause, as will the arrival of former St George Illawarra bookend Adam Peek.

One player to watch is young backrower Karl Filiga, who is tipped to be the next Sonny Bill Williams.

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