SHARKS COACH’S MESSAGE: Peter Sharp
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
AS much as we can under the circumstances surrounding Shane Flanagan we are all looking forward to having footy as the main focus and to the season getting under way on Monday night against the Gold Coast.
The pre-season has gone as well as could be expected and I’ve been pleased with the way the boys have turned up, trained hard and have had a business-as-usual approach despite the distractions they’ve faced along the way.
We now have to prepare well for our games and bring a winning attitude, beginning this Monday against the Titans.
Throughout the two trials and the Auckland Nines we tried to get as many players as much football as possible, and I think we achieved that, in giving them as much game time as was necessary to have the players right to go in round one.
We’ve had some injury issues. Jeff Robson’s cheekbone fracture was a setback to Robbo and to us, but he will be available probably round fi ve or six and we will look forward to having him back.
As for the other injured players, LukeLewis and Anthony Tupou should be right at a similar time, around week fi ve or six, Chris Heighington a couple of weeks before that, so if we can get off to a good start we will be strengthened by the return of those guys a couple of rounds into the season.
And while we have a few on the sideline, we are happy with the depth we have in the squad, with the new boys Blake Ayshford, Matt Prior and Daniel Holdsworth bringing with them plenty of positives in as far as their experience, as well as the attitude and energy they turn up with at training every day.
Getting off to a good start is our first goal, with having a win over the Gold Coast certainly a step in the right direction. I hope as many Sharks fans as possible can get down to Remondis Stadium and help us kick off the season with a win.
TEAM SHOT:
BACK ROW (from left): Tirinau Arona, Siossaia Vave, David Fifita, Andrew Fifita, Sam Tagataese, Blake Ayshford, Jonathan Wright, Sosaia Feki, Penani Manumalealii.
MIDDLE ROW (from left): Michael Gordon, Matt Prior, Jacob Gagan, Junior Roqica, Michael Lichaa, Eric Grothe Jnr, Bryce Gibbs, Tupou Sopoaga, Sione Masima, Nathan Gardner, Ricky Leutele, Anthony Tupou.
FRONT ROW (from left): Isaac De Gois, Chris Heighington, Nathan Stapleton, Luke Lewis, Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Beau Ryan, John Morris, Todd Carney, Daniel Holdsworth.
Absent: Jeff Robson, Tim Robinson
