Lessons learned from trial loss
Leading 8-0 and dominating the game the Sharks took the foot off the pedal slightly and paid the price in their trial loss to the Tigers, but despite coming out on the wrong side of the scoreboard the team enjoyed a soild hit out and learnt some valuable lessons ahead of their season opener on March 8.
A Tigers intercept resulting in an 80-metre try shifted the momentum significantly, and while coach Shane Flanagan made a number of changes in replacing key personnel during the later stages of the trial, post-game he took the opportunity to ram home a couple of important messages.
Without divulging the exact contents of Flanagan’s post-match speech and game synopsis, it had to do with playing out the full 80-minutes of a match, while also stressing the need to react and respond in a positive manner when something, such as the intercept try on Saturday, goes against the team.
Overall Flanagan and his coaching staff were positive about the performance with their focus now well and truly shifting to the Raiders and round one in less than two weeks’ time.
On the injury front, Mitch Brown received a head knock, however he passed a concussion test on the night and if needed could have returned to the game.
On the injury front
While the Sharks came through the trial with the Tigers relatively unscathed on the injury front, they are still monitoring the fitness of a number of players who will certainly come into calculations for a berth in the round one team.
Jayson Bukuya, Luke Lewis and Sam Tagataese were amongst those to miss the trial and while none have injuries considered serious or long term, all three will be racing the clock to be on deck for the March 8 season kick off.
The Sharks website reactivated their Injury Report page just last week, so to keep up to date with all the latest news throughout the season, check out the Sharks ‘Casualty Ward’ – http://www.sharks.com.au/info/injury-update.html
Season Launch a success
Long after the majority of the playing group had left the stadium Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was still patiently signing autographs for those remaining inside Remondis Stadium as the Season Launch and Fan Day was coming to an end.
Predictably Gallen was amongst the most popular Sharks on the day, with newcomers in 2015 Ben Barba and Michael Ennis also attracting plenty of attention.
The day saw over 3,000 members and fans help launch the Sharks 2015 season, with the playing group being introduced to the crowd before mingling, signing autographs and posing for photos for around 90 minutes.
With the on-field activities combining with the rides and amusements for the kids, a number of sponsor activations and the opportunity to grab an item of 2015 Sharks merchandise before the start of the season, fun was had by all.
Sharks eCal Updated
The latest update version of the Sharks eCal season draw and events calendar is now live.
Download the Sharks 2015 eCal to your desktop, phone or tablet calendar by http://www.sharks.com.au/eCal.html
Sharks in the News
The Tigers trial received some coverage, as did Ben Barba’s comments on Daly Cherry Evans and the potential of his good friend joining him in the Sutherland Shire. DCE and the chances of him becoming a Shark also had an airing on 2MMM radio this morning.
While on NRL.COM, they spoke with Anthony Tupou and covered off on the successful Sharks Season Launch and Fan Day.
See below for Sharks in the News for February 23.
Trial v Tigers - Daily Telegraph – CLICK HERE
Barba on Cherry-Evans – SBS – CLICK HERE
Sharks a chance to sign DCE – Brisbane MMM - CLICK HERE
NRL.COM – Season Launch and Fan Day – CLICK HERE
Sharks Season Preview – Matt Johns on Fox Sports – CLICK HERE
$10,000 giveaway on Wednesday night
The final Lucky Members Badge Draw will see one Sharkies member take home $10,000 this coming Wednesday night.
Members must be in the club at the time of the draw, which is scheduled to begin in the main bar at Sharkies on Wednesday night at 6.00pm.
The Sharkies Membership offer is now included in all football club membership packages, with members needing to come into the club to have identification photos taken and to confirm their Leagues Club memberships.
Be at Sharkies for your last chance to win - one lucky member has to collect the generous prize – with the draw to continue on Wednesday until it goes off.
Someone wins, why not you? This Wednesday night, from 6.00pm at Sharkies.
Community Fan Forum reminder
The final Community Fan Forum before the start of the 2015 NRL season is set down for this Wednesday night at Club Menai, with Coach Shane Flanagan to join CEO Lyall Gorman and Chairman Damian Keogh in addressing the questions and concerns of members and fans.
Missing last Monday night when Gorman and Keogh fronted the crowd at Sharkies Leagues Club while away at a Central Coast training camp with the team, Flanagan will front the final Community Forum in providing an opportunity to hear from Flanagan ahead of his teams’ season opener on March 8.
All members, sponsors, corporate partners, fans and the local community are invited to attend, with the venue choice of Club Menai a chance for Sharks supporters on the western outskirts of the Sharks to come along and have their say.
The Sharks fourth Community Fan Forum, Wednesday night, 7.00pm at Club Menai.
