Our resident Dragons tragic is back, as he casts his eye over the Sharks chances in 2013. With some handy new additions, can they be a force to be reckoned with? Do you agree or disagree?
The Cronulla Sharks were one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market last year, bringing Panthers duo Luke Lewis and Michael Gordon, Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington and Bulldogs winger Jonathan Wright to the Shire.
They finished the 2012 regular season in seventh position, before being eliminated 34-16 by the Canberra Raiders. It’s clear that the Sharks have lacked strike power out wide in recent seasons, but I’m not sure that Ryan, Gordon, and Wright are the answers. Ryan and Wright are solid first graders, but Gordon has barely played a game in the last two seasons as he suffered serious knee and ankle injuries.
Their pack remains as strong as ever, with skipper Paul Gallen joined by Lewis, Heighington, Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs to form an experienced forward pack. They will struggle during Origin with Lewis and Gallen likely to be amongst the first picked for NSW if they are fit.
The enigmatic Todd Carney remains their go to player in attack, joined by the reliable Jeff Robson, who can have good games, but is not a danger week to week. At hooker they have another reliable workhorse in Isaac De Gois who has plenty of experience but there are better hookers around.
They have the elements of a good side, but lack depth in most positions, and no stars in the positions of fullback and hooker. They are still struggling off the field with no jersey sponsor and no naming rights sponsor for their home ground.
They are treading a fine line, and if they get hit with a couple of injuries they may fall away badly, but they play three teams that missed the finals in 2012 during the first month so they might start the season in form, but they lack the depth to threaten the big names in the competition.