By Jeff Petersen
With a steely determination the Sharks are more than ready to show their teeth in Sunday’s 2015 opening encounter against the Raiders.
A new-found confidence is sweeping through the camp at a lightning rate and with new signings bringing added firepower and experience, 2015 is sure to deliver more excitement and more victories to Sharks fans.
This will be our seventh season opener with Canberra since 1982, with honours even at three apiece. Clashes between the two have always had the onus on attack and this clearly shows in our impressive home record against them. This is also Canberra’s 30th visit to the Shire. Cronulla’s 20 wins to 9 record puts us in prime position to continue the trend.
Averaging 22 points per game at home against the Raiders, Cronulla have bagged themselves 112 tries and 99 goals, stemming back to 1982 with our first-ever game played at Seiffert Oval. Mick Mullane’s hat-trick of tries helped the Sharks to a 44-5 win. That same year also resulted in our first-ever home win, by 34-5, a game in which Mick Mullane bagged another 3 tries and Steve Rogers kicked 8 goals. This still remains the club record for most goals in a game against Canberra.
Three tries in a game against the Raiders seemed to be the trend in the decades to follow, with Colin Best, Ben Pomeroy, Misi Taulapapa and David Simmons also scoring game hat-tricks.
Andrew Ettingshausen’s tally of 14 tries in his career against the Raiders included 5 tries in 5 consecutive home games. Former Sharks centre Colin Best’s 7 tries in total leads our try-scoring tally against Canberra in home matches.
The Sharks have strong ties with the Canberra club with many navigating between the two clubs. Current Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was Sharks coach from 2007 to mid-season 2010. Several players have crossed the Blue/Green line including Matt Corkery, Craig Dimond, Jason Williams, Andrew Lomu, Brett Kelly, Bronx Goodwin, Stuart Flanagan, Blake Ferguson, Todd Carney and our newest signing Sami Sauiluma.
Despite leading 6-0 at the break in the Round 24 fixture last season, we were overrun by a fast-moving and invigorated Green Machine, resulting in a 12-22 loss on Sunday, August 24, 2014. The Sharks and Raiders line-ups that day in front of 13,496 fans (the best Sharks/Raiders home attendance since 2008) were:
Sharks: 1. Fullback Michael Gordon; 2.Wing Sosaia Feki, 3.Centre Jonathan Wright, 4.Centre Ricky Leutele, 5.Wing Valentine Holmes; 6.Five-Eighth Fa’amanu Brown, 7.Halfback Jeff Robson (Captain); 17.Lock Blake Ayshford, 16.Second Row Tupou Sopoaga, 11.Second Row Chris Heighington, 10.Front Row Matt Prior, 9.Hooker Michael Lichaa, 8.Front Row Tim Robinson. Interchange: 14.Pat Politoni, 15.Vitale Junior Roqica, 18.Sione Masima, 21.Scott Sorensen.
Raiders: 1.Fullback Jack Wighton; 2.Wing Bill Tupou, 3.Centre Jarrod Croker (Captain), 4.Centre Jeremy Hawkins, 5.Wing Edrick Lee; 6.Five-Eighth Anthony Milford, 7.Halfback Josh McCrone; 13.Lock Joel Edwards, 12.Second Row Jarrad Kennnedy, 11.Second Row Josh Papalii, 10.Front Row Dane Tilse, 9.Hooker Glen Buttriss, 8.Front Row Shannon Boyd. Interchange: 14.Mitch Cornish, 15.Matt McIlwrick, 16.Kyle O’Donnell, 17.Paul Vaughan. Referees: Henry Perenara & Gavin Reynolds.
SHARKS FACT: Celebrating his 10th season in the NRL this year, Cronulla fullback Michael Gordon has a most prolific record against the Raiders – averaging 8 points a game and a perfect 100% goal kicking record, 12 from 12. A 100% goal kicking record he also has against SEVEN other NRL clubs.
All at Cronulla are looking forward to a great 2015 season, so support the team Sharks fans and make some noise!
Go Sharks!
SHARKS / Raiders – BY THE NUMBERS
OUR RECORD @ HOME (1982-2015)
All-Time Record: Played 62 Won 33 Drawn 0 Lost 29 Points For1,273 Points Against 1,321
Total Record at Remondis Stadium: Played 29 Won 20 Drawn 0 Lost 9 Points For 640 Points Against 480
Sharks Form in Last 5 Home Games vs Raiders: Loss 12-22 (Rd 24 2014) Won 30-20 (Rd 10 2013) Loss 4-36 (Rd 20 2012) Won 26-12 (Rd 18 2011) Loss 14-24 (Rd 05 2009)
Sharks Form in Last 5 Games vs Raiders: Loss 12-22 (Rd 24 2014 at Remondis Stadium) Won 38-18 (Rd 26 2013 at Canberra Stadium) Won 30-20 (Rd 10 2013 at Sharks Stadium) Loss 16-34 (Elimination Final 2012 at Sharks Stadium) Loss 4-36 (Rd 20 2012 at Sharks Stadium)
Sharks First-Ever Home Game vs Raiders: Rd 24 August 08, 1982 at Endeavour Field (Won 34-5) Sharks Scorers: Mick Mullane 3, Jim See, Dane Sorensen, Kurt Sorensen tries; Steve Rogers 8 goals Att: 3,209
Sharks Last Game vs Raiders at Remondis: Rd 24 August 24, 2014 (Loss 12-22) Sharks Scorers: Sosaia Feki, Tim Robinson tries; Michael Gordon 2 goals Att: 13,496
Sharks Last Win vs Raiders at Remondis: Rd 10 May 19, 2013 (Won 30-20) Sharks Scorers: Jayson Bukuya, Isaac De Gois, Andrew Fifita, Ben Ross, Jonathan Wright tries; Michael Gordon 3 goals, Todd Carney 2 goals Att: 12,130
Sharks Biggest Win vs Raiders at Remondis: 34-5 Rd 24 August 08, 1982 (29pts margin) Sharks Scorers: Mick Mullane 3, Jim See, Dane Sorensen, Kurt Sorensen tries; Steve Rogers 8 goals Att: 3,209
Sharks Heaviest Defeat vs Raiders at Remondis: 4-36 Rd 20 July 22, 2012 (32pts margin)
Sharks Best Home Attendance vs Raiders: 18,252 Qualifying Final September 13, 2008; Best Regular Season at Home: 15,602 at Caltex Field Rd 12 May 30, 2003
Sharks Home Attendance Average vs Raiders: 10,012
Sharks Home Points Average Per Game vs Raiders: 22.1pts
Most Points Scored by the Sharks vs Raiders at Remondis: (38pts) 38-12 Rd 15 July 08, 1995 & (38pts) 38-24 Rd 06 April 17, 2004
Most Aggregate Points Scored in a Game vs Raiders at Remondis: (62pts) 36-36 Rd 14 June 16, 2002 & (62pts) 38-26 Rd 6 April 17, 2004
Most Sharks Points Conceded vs Raiders at Remondis: (42pts) 12-42 Rd 20 August 14, 1993
Most Total Points Scored by a Sharks Player vs Raiders at Remondis: (38pts) by Brett Kimmorley, (2 tries 15 goals)
Most Sharks Points Scored in a Game vs Raiders at Remondis: (20pts) by Dean Carney, (2 tries 6 goals), Rd 06 April 21, 1985 (Won 32-12) & (20pts) by Brett Kimmorley, (2 tries 6 goals), Rd 14 June 16, 2002
Most Tries Scored in a Game vs Raiders at Remondis: (3 tries) by Mick Mullane, Rd 24 August 08, 1982; (3 tries) by Colin Best, Rd 19 July 09, 1999; (3 tries) by Ben Pomeroy, Rd 06 April 21, 2007; (3 tries) by Misi Taulapapa, Qualifying Final September 13, 2008 & (3 tries) by David Simmons, Rd 05, April 11, 2009
Most Goals Scored in a Game vs Raiders at Remondis: (8 goals) by Steve Rogers, Rd 24 August 08, 1982
Most Sharks Team Tries Scored in a Game vs Raiders at Remondis: (7 tries) Rd 15 July 08, 1995 (Won 38-12) & (7 tries) Qualifying Final September 13, 2008 (Won 36-10)
Total Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders at Remondis: (112 Tries, 64 Try Scorers) Colin Best 7; Andrew Ettingshausen 6; Ben Pomeroy 6; David Simmons 4; Mick Mullane 3; Alan Wilson 3; Mat Rogers 3; David Peachey 3; Luke Covell 3; Misi Taulapapa 3; Jim See 2; Dean Carney 2; Jonathan Docking 2; Barry Russell 2; David Boughton 2; Mitch Healey 2; Richie Barnett 2; Ben Sammut 2; Paul Donaghy 2; Russell Richardson 2; Brett Kimmorley 2; Paul Gallen 2; Brett Kearney 2; Isaac De Gois 2; Jayson Bukuya 2; Dane Sorensen 1; Kurt Sorensen 1; Ian Forrest 1; Greg Nixon 1; Shaun McNamara 1; Wayne Smith 1; Mark Wakefield 1; Phil Hurst 1; Sean Watson 1; Mark McGaw 1; Michael Speechley 1; Glenn Coleman 1; Lindsay Bowne 1; Paul Evans 1; Sean Ryan 1; Dan Stains 1; Craig Greenhill 1; Nathan Long 1; Aaron Raper 1; Preston Campbell 1; Andrew Pierce 1; Adam Dykes 1; Chris McKenna 1; Blaine Stanley 1; Ronald Prince 1; Paul Franze 1; Nick Graham 1; Greg Bird 1; Matt Hilder 1; Michael Sullivan 1; Ryan McGoldrick 1; Matthew Rieck 1; Brett Seymour 1; Wade Graham 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Mark Taufua 1; Andrew Fifita 1; Ben Ross 1; Jonathan Wright 1; Sosaia Feki 1; Tim Robinson 1.
Total Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders at Remondis: (99 Goals, 18 Goal Scorers) Brett Kimmorley 15; Luke Covell 13; Alan Wilson 12; Steve Rogers 8; Mitch Healey 8; Mat Rogers 7; Dean Carney 6; Sean Watson 6; Michael Gordon 5; Eion Crossan 4; Tony Armstrong 3; Chad Townsend 3; Dane Sorensen 2; Blaine Stanley 2; Todd Carney 2; Lindsay Bowne 1; Ronald Prince 1; Preston Campbell 1.
Total Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders at Remondis: None
All-Time Total Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders: (223 Tries, 108 Try Scorers) Andrew Ettingshausen 14; Ben Pomeroy 10; Colin Best 8; David Simmons 8; Luke Covell 7; Mick Mullane 6; Mat Rogers 6; David Peachey 5; Paul Gallen 5; Dean Carney 4; Alan Wilson 4; Adam Dykes 4; Brett Kimmorley 4; Isaac De Gois 4; Jim See 3; Glenn Coleman 3; Barry Russell 3; Richie Barnett 3; Paul Green 3; Russell Richardson 3; Misi Taulapapa 3; Jayson Bukuya 3; Perry Haddock 2; Rowland Beckett 2; David Hatch 2; Kurt Sorensen 2; Jonathan Docking 2; Lindsay Bowne 2; David Boughton 2; Mitch Healey 2; Ben Sammut 2; Paul Donaghy 2; Paul Mellor 2; Matt Hilder 2; Michael Sullivan 2; Matthew Rieck 2; Phil Bailey 2; Nigel Vagana 2; Brett Kearney 2; Ben Ross 2; Nathan Stapleton 2; Wade Graham 2; John Williams 2; Jeff Robson 2; Sosaia Feki 2; Chris Gardner 1; Dane Sorensen 1; Ian Forrest 1; John O’Connor 1; Greg Nixon 1; David Harris 1; Shaun McNamara 1; Wayne Smith 1; Mark Wakefield 1; Craig Dimond 1; Glen Mortimer 1; Phil Hurst 1; Sean Watson 1; David Burnes 1; Mark McGaw 1; Michael Speechley 1; Ken Ebb 1; Arthur Pappas 1; Luke Massey 1; Chris Quinn 1; Charlie Saab 1; Paul Evans 1; Sean Ryan 1; Dan Stains 1; Andrew Neave 1; Craig Greenhill 1; Nathan Long 1; Aaron Raper 1; Geoff Bell 1; Brett Howland 1; Preston Campbell 1; Andrew Pierce 1; Chris McKenna 1; Blaine Stanley 1; Ronald Prince 1; Brent Grose 1; Damien Mostyn 1; Paul Franze 1; Nick Graham 1; Greg Bird 1; Keith Galloway 1; Ryan McGoldrick 1; Russell Aitken 1; Cameron Ciraldo 1; Kevin Kingston 1; Mitch Brown 1; Brett Seymour 1; Matthew Wright 1; Kade Snowden 1; Luke Douglas 1; Nathan Gardner 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Stewart Mills 1; John Morris 1; Mark Taufua 1; Ricky Leutele 1; Andrew Fifita 1; Jonathan Wright 1; Bryce Gibbs 1; Luke Lewis 1; Tyrone Peachey 1; Beau Ryan 1; Tim Robinson 1.
All-Time Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders: (198 Goals, 26 Goal Scorers) Luke Covell 35; Alan Wilson 22; Mat Rogers 19; Brett Kimmorley 16; Steve Rogers 12; Mitch Healey 12; Michael Gordon 12; Dean Carney 11; Todd Carney 9; Tony Armstrong 6; Sean Watson 6; Eion Crossan 6; Dane Sorensen 5; Steve Hardy 3; Arthur Pappas 3; Chad Townsend 3; Blaine Stanley 2; Preston Campbell 2; Jason Ferris 2; Jarrad Anderson 2; Matt Hilder 2; Scott Porter 2; John Williams 2; Wade Forrester 1; Lindsay Bowne 1; Ronald Prince 1; Nathan Stapleton 1.
All-Time Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Raiders: (1 Field Goal, 1 Field Goal Scorer) Trent Barrett (1 in 2010).
