Losing any NRL game, is bad enough. Losing an NRL game by 41 points, is an atrocity – and for Warriors coach Brian McClennan, he said it was “the darkest day” in his first season as coach of the Warriors, as they were pummeled convincingly by the Cronulla Sharks.
Although they are mathematically, still a chance for the top 8, their fourth straight defeat and a string of injuries, leave a finals appearance in 2012 unlikely.
“This would be our darkest day this year,” McClennan said.
“They were just way too good for us today … Todd Carney was very, very good.
“They ended up with a lot of possession and most of it was our fault. You’re going to get beat up a lot when the other team has 14 more sets.”
Several of the Sharks players had the game of their lives, as five-eighth Todd Carney bounced back from recent poor form, to record a 25-point haul, including two tries in the huge win.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan praised Carney for his performance, as well as the always inspirational Paul Gallen.
“It’s not just what Gall does on the field, it’s the presence and confidence he gives to the players around him,” Flanagan said.
“For someone who hasn’t run for six weeks since Origin, to do that was a pretty special effort.”
Although he was feeling the effects of not having played for 6 weeks, the Sharks captain was just pleased that he was back on the field and playing footy.
“Every team hits a flat spot and we happened to get 4-5 injuries when we did hit it.
“We’re getting some troops back now and it’s good to get back on the winners’ list. It gives the team and the club some confidence.”