After a tough start to the year with the ASADA scandal lingering over them, the Cronulla Sharks have finally found their mojo again, winning another game on the trot, as they defeated the Canberra Raiders 30-20 at Shark Stadium earlier today.
With the investigation now slowing down of late, it has allowed the Sharks to focus on their footy to win their third consecutive game – with the players highlighting just how much of a difference it has made.
“Ever since the (Wade Graham interview) we just put it all aside and we've just brushed it completely,” prop Andrew Fifita said.
“And it's been good for us. Ever since then we've been winning.
“At the start of the year we knew we had a fair team here and could go along way in this comp and I really think we can.”
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, who in the past has gr
own frustrated with ongoing talks about ASADA, was instead pleased with the winning feeling his currently has.
“Winning footy games is really important,” he said.
“It makes it easy to go to work on the Monday.
“No matter what, winning solves a lot of those problems.
“…That's where we rate ourselves as, a top eight team. We're in there now but it's early days still.
“We've just got to make sure that we continue on this way and our footy is back to being our priority.”
For the Raiders, the loss was compounded by injuries to half Josh McCrone (side strain) and lock Shaun Fensom (eye).
To make matters worse, the Raiders were perhaps a bit hard done by in one instance, when Jonathan Wright burst through for a Sharks try despite the lead-up containing what looked like an obstruction on McCrone.
“It was a big call … But we probably haven't been getting those,” Furner said.
3. Ben Pomeroy
2. Anthony Milford
1. Andrew Fifita