By Jeff Petersen
Saturday night’s showdown with the Sydney Roosters will be the Sharks 50th visit to Allianz Stadium. Cronulla won its first two games there in 1988 against Souths (14-12 in Round 16) and an Eastern Suburbs outfit by 24-6, three weeks later.
Since then the Sharks have also played Canterbury, Balmain, Canberra, Manly, Newcastle, Brisbane, St George-Illawarra, Melbourne, Wests Tigers and North Queensland at this iconic Moore Park venue with a total record of Played 49 Won 23 Drawn 1 Lost 25 Points For 970 Points Against 962.
This will be our 21st encounter against the Roosters at Allianz and our 43rd in total when including games played at the Sydney Sports Ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground, Henson Park and Allianz Stadium.
Note: Allianz Stadium was previously known as the Sydney Football Stadium (from 1988-2001 and 2008-2011) and also known as Aussie Stadium (from 2002-2007).
Our last game against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz, back in Round 19, 2013, handed us a 0-40 hiding. That Saturday night game, played on July 20th, saw us down 0-28 at halftime and eventually outplayed, outgunned and without answers.
The Sharks line-up in that last clash at Allianz was: 1.Fullback: Michael Gordon; 2.Wing: Sosaia Feki, 3.Centre: Stewart Mills, 4.Centre: Jonathan Wright, 5.Wing: Nathan Stapleton; 6.Five-Eighth: Todd Carney (Captain), 7.Halfback: Chad Townsend; 13.Lock: Chris Heighington, 12.Second Row: Jayson Bukuya, 16.Second Row: Sam Tagataese, 10.Front Row: Bryce Gibbs, 9.Hooker: John Morris, 17.Front Row: Ben Ross. Interchange: 8.Andrew Fifita, 14.Isaac De Gois, 15.Tyrone Peachey, 19.Mark Taufua. Referees were: Matt Cecchin & Henry Perenara.
With the departure of Sharks winger Nathan Stapleton to Roosters territory, our “exchange rate” with them has been both impressive and memorable.
Sharks player gains from the Roosters over the years have provided us with outstanding service, the likes of Barry Reilly, Arthur Mountier, Gavin Miller, John Berne, Terry Murphy, Robert Lane, Des O’Reilly, Dane Sorensen, Laurie Spina, David Trewhella, Damien Mostyn, Andrew Lomu, Danny Nutley, Anthony Tupou, Todd Carney and Tinirau Arona.
Reluctantly, I must also list our departures, our losses to the Roosters ranks. Former Sharks: Barry Reilly, Barry Andrews, Rowland Beckett, Steve Hardy, Dane Sorensen, Jason Hudson, Richie Barnett, Vince Mellars and Nathan Stapleton.
The tempo is building for a positive result, where we know our boys will show club pride and confidence in themselves and each other come Saturday evening.
Go Sharks!
SHARKS / Roosters – BY THE NUMBERS
OUR AWAY RECORD (1967-2014)
All-Time Record: Played 86 Won 28 Drawn 2 Lost 56 Points For 1,409 Points Against 1,652
Total Away Record vs Roosters: Played 42 Won 12 Drawn 0 Lost 30 Points For 687 Points Against 893
Record vs Roosters at Sydney Sports Ground: Played 17 Won 4 Drawn 0 Lost 13 Points For 227 Points Against 364
Record vs Roosters at Sydney Cricket Ground: Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 2 Points For 36 Points Against 49
Record vs Roosters at Henson Park: Played 2 Won 0 Drawn 0 Lost 2 Points For 33 Points Against 40
Record vs Roosters at Allianz Stadium: Played 20 Won 7 Drawn 0 Lost 13 Points For 391 Points Against 440
Sharks Form in Last 5 Away Games vs Roosters: Loss 0-40 (Rd 19 2013) Loss 25-36 (Rd 24 2011) Won 42-18 (Rd 13 2010) Loss 12-19 (Rd 16 2009) Loss 12-23 (Rd 18 2007)
Sharks Form in Last 5 Games vs Roosters: Loss 18-24 (Rd 07 2014 at Remondis Stadium) Won 32-22 (Rd 24 2013 at Remondis Stadium) Loss 0-40 (Rd 19 2013 at Allianz Stadium) Draw 14-14 (Rd 18 2012 at Sharks Stadium – no golden point) Loss 25-36 (Rd 24 2011 at Sydney Football Stadium)
Sharks First Game & First Win vs Roosters: Rd 01 at Sydney Sports Ground (Sharks First Ever Game in the NSWRFL Competition), April 2, 1967 (Won 11-5) Sharks Scorers: John Hynes try; Terry Hughes 4 goals Att: 6,137
Sharks Biggest Win & Last Win vs Roosters: 42-18 Rd 13, June 5, 2010 (24pts margin) Sharks Scorers: Trent Barrett, Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, Grant Millington, John Morris, Taulima Tautai, Siosaia Vave tries; Nathan Gardner 7 goals Att: 7,934
Sharks Heaviest Defeat & Last Game vs Roosters at Allianz: 0-40 Rd 19, July 20, 2013 (40pts margin) Att: 13,706
Sharks Best Attendance vs Roosters: 25,366 Qualifying Final at Aussie Stadium, September 13, 2002; (Regular H & A Season) 23,819 Rd 21 at Sydney Football Stadium, August 26, 1996
Sharks Attendance Average vs Roosters: 9,562
Sharks Points Average Per Game vs Roosters: 16.3pts
Most Points Scored by the Sharks vs Roosters: (42pts) Won 42-18 Rd 13, June 5, 2010
Most Aggregate Points Scored in a Game vs Roosters: (70pts) Loss 32-38 Rd 19 at Aussie Stadium, July 16, 2006
Most Sharks Points Conceded vs Roosters: (44pts) Loss 13-44 Rd 02 April 6, 1974
Most Total Points Scored by a Sharks Player vs Roosters: (38pts) by Barry Andrews, (19 goals)
Most Sharks Points Scored in a Game vs Roosters: (18pts) by Tony Armstrong, (2 tries 5 goals), Rd 18 (Won 34-16) at Sydney Sports Ground, July 1, 1984; (18pts) by Nathan Gardner, (1 try 7 goals), Rd 13 (Won 42-18) at Sydney Football Stadium, June 5, 2010
Most Tries Scored in a Game vs Roosters: (3 tries) by Matthew Rieck, Qualifying Final at Aussie Stadium, September 13, 2002
Most Goals Scored in a Game vs Roosters: (7 goals) by Nathan Gardner, Rd 13 at Sydney Football Stadium, June 5, 2010
Most Sharks Team Tries Scored in a Game vs Roosters: (7 tries) Rd 13 at Sydney Football Stadium, June 5, 2010 (Won 42-18) Sharks Scorers: Trent Barrett, Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, Grant Millington, John Morris, Taulima Tautai, Siosaia Vave tries; Nathan Gardner 7 goals Att: 7,934
Total Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters at All Away Venues: (116 Tries, 80 Try Scorers) Andrew Ettingshausen 8; Matthew Rieck 5; Fred Dennehy 4; Mick Mullane 3; Jonathan Docking 3; Brett Howland 3; David Peachey 3; Ron Turner 2; Chris Wellman 2; Grahame Bowen 2; Eric Archer 2; Paul Khan 2; Tony Armstrong 2; Barry Russell 2; Richie Barnett 2; Dean Treister 2; Adam Dykes 2; Greg Bird 2; Nigel Vagana 2; David Simmons 2; John Williams 2; John Hynes 1; Ray Westwood 1; Noel Gallagher 1; John Maguire 1; John Monie 1; Mick Souter 1; Kevin Hogan 1; Ray Corcoran 1; Maurie Raper 1; Ken Maddison 1; Peter Ryan 1; Kevin Gibson 1; Greg Pierce 1; Dave Chamberlin 1; Rowland Beckett 1; Perry Haddock 1; Dean Carney 1; John O’Connor 1; Brian Noble 1; Mark Wakefield 1; Craig Dimond 1; Phil Hurst 1; Mark McGaw 1; Alan Wilson 1; Gavin Miller 1; John Davidson 1; Glenn Coleman 1; Michael Porter 1; Chris Quinn 1; Eion Crossan 1; Mat Rogers 1; Colin Best 1; Russell Richardson 1; Preston Campbell 1; Paul Mellor 1; Andrew Pierce 1; Patrick Gibson 1; Matthew Johns 1; Chris McKenna 1; Dean Bosnich 1; Jason Stevens 1; Jarrad Anderson 1; Matt Hilder 1; Ryan McGoldrick 1; Nathan Merritt 1; Luke Covell 1; Darren Albert 1; Brett Kearney 1; Blake Ferguson 1; Nathan Stapleton 1; Trent Barrett 1; Paul Gallen 1; Nathan Gardner 1; Grant Millington 1; John Morris 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Siosaia Vave 1; Wade Graham 1; Ben Pomeroy 1.
Total Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters at All Away Venues: (126 Goals, 27 Goal Scorers) Barry Andrews 19; Alan Wilson 11; Steve Rogers 10; Luke Covell 10; Terry Hughes 9; Dean Carney 7; Nathan Gardner 7; Mat Rogers 6; George Taylforth 5; Tony Armstrong 5; Brett Kimmorley 5; Matt Hilder 5; Jarrad Anderson 4; Nathan Stapleton 4; Roger Millward 2; Craig Teevan 2; Eion Crossan 2; Mitch Healey 2; Preston Campbell 2; Greg Bird 2; Eric Archer 1; Steve Hardy 1; Sean Watson 1; Matthew Corkery 1; Paul Green 1; Blaine Stanley 1; Jason Ferris 1.
Total Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters at All Away Venues: (3 Field Goals, 3 Field Goal Scorers) Chris Withall (1 in 1983); Michael Speechley (1 in 1990); Wade Graham (1 in 2011).
All-Time Total Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters: (234 Tries, 133 Try Scorers) Andrew Ettingshausen 10; Fred Dennehy 6; David Peachey 6; Paul Gallen 6; Jonathan Docking 5; Matthew Rieck 5; Ben Pomeroy 5; Brett Howland 4; Greg Bird 4; David Simmons 4; Nigel Vagana 4; Warren Fisher 3; Eric Archer 3; Dave Chamberlin 3; Steve Rogers 3; Mick Mullane 3; Barry Russell 3; John Davidson 3; Greg Carberry 3; Mat Rogers 3; Adam Dykes 3; Luke Covell 3; Brian Cox 2; Dave Cooper 2; Ron Turner 2; Chris Wellman 2; Ray Corcoran 2; Grahame Bowen 2; Greg Pierce 2; Paul Khan 2; Greg Mullane 2; Rowland Beckett 2; Jim See 2; Dean Carney 2; Kurt Sorensen 2; Tony Armstrong 2; Craig Dimond 2; Mark McGaw 2; Alan Wilson 2; Glenn Coleman 2; Richie Barnett 2; Geoff Bell 2; Dean Treister 2; Paul Mellor 2; Chris Beattie 2; Paul Franze 2; Brett Kimmorley 2; Jason Stevens 2; Phil Bailey 2; Nathan Gardner 2; John Williams 2; Wade Graham 2; Ricky Leutele 2; John Hynes 1; Ray Westwood 1; Len Gaffey 1; Noel Thornton 1; Noel Gallagher 1; John Maguire 1; John Monie 1; Mick Souter 1; Paul Taylor 1; Kevin Hogan 1; Maurie Raper 1; Cliff Watson 1; Bob Wear 1; Ken Maddison 1; Peter O’Brien 1; Peter Ryan 1; Kevin Gibson 1; Steve Hansard 1; Rick Bourke 1; Steve Edmonds 1; Chris Gardner 1; John Berne 1; Perry Haddock 1; Gary Wright 1; Steve Anderson 1; Dane Sorensen 1; David Laming 1; Paul Merlo 1; Greg Nixon 1; John O’Connor 1; Brian Noble 1; Mark Wakefield 1; Phil Hurst 1; Michael Speechley 1; Paul Bishop 1; Denis Fricot 1; Gavin Miller 1; Laurie Spina 1; Michael Porter 1; Chris Quinn 1; David Boughton 1; Michael Elliott 1; Les Davidson 1; Charlie Saab 1; Darren Higgins 1; Eion Crossan 1; Allan Bateman 1; Craig Greenhill 1; Ben Sammut 1; Colin Best 1; Russell Richardson 1; Scott Murray 1; Preston Campbell 1; Andrew Pierce 1; Patrick Gibson 1; Matthew Johns 1; Chris McKenna 1; Dean Bosnich 1; Jarrad Anderson 1; Matt Hilder 1; Ryan McGoldrick 1; Nathan Merritt 1; Beau Scott 1; Darren Albert 1; Brett Kearney 1; Fraser Anderson 1; Reece Williams 1; Blake Ferguson 1; Nathan Stapleton 1; Trent Barrett 1; Grant Millington 1; John Morris 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Siosaia Vave 1; Dean Collis 1; Stewart Mills 1; Michael Gordon 1; Chris Heighington 1; Jonathan Wright 1; Sosaia Feki 1.
All-Time Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters: (261 Goals, 36 Goal Scorers) Barry Andrews 31; Luke Covell 27; Steve Rogers 23; Alan Wilson 20; Terry Hughes 15; Mat Rogers 13; Brett Kimmorley 11; Todd Carney 11; Tony Armstrong 10; George Taylforth 9; Dean Carney 9; Steve Edmonds 7; Nathan Gardner 7; Dane Sorensen 6; Sean Watson 6; Mitch Healey 5; Matt Hilder 5; John Brown 4; Eric Archer 4; Greg Carberry 4; Greg Bird 4; Jarrad Anderson 4; Nathan Stapleton 4; Jason Ferris 3; Michael Gordon 3; Dave Cotter 2; Roger Millward 2; Craig Teevan 2; Eion Crossan 2; Preston Campbell 2; Steve Hardy 1; Wayne Smith 1; Matthew Corkery 1; Paul Green 1; Blaine Stanley 1; Matthew Wright 1.
All-Time Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Roosters: (5 Field Goals, 5 Field Goal Scorers) Dinny O’Bryan (1 in 1969); Chris Withall (1 in 1983); Michael Speechley (1 in 1990); Adam Dykes (1 in 2001); Wade Graham (1 in 2011).
