The back-page headline in today’s Daily Telegraph read ‘Shire Power’ in referring to the game-changing tackle made by Ben Barba on Ben Creagh when the Dragons captain seemed certain the score during the second half of yesterday's derby clash.
It was a definitive moment in the match for a player recognised more for his attacking flair than his defensive toughness.
It brought into question the rating of Barba as one of the ‘worst buys’ of the season in a Sunday Telegraph opinion piece, with the enigmatic Sharks utility in coach Shane Flanagan’s words “changing the game” as he has done when coming off the bench and injected into the game in a number of his teams victories this season.
While Sharks teammates and coaching staff might agree with the assessment of Jack Bird as one of the buys of the year, the Barba tackle and his skilful kick then regather for a try late in the contest showed he is certainly making a significant impact, with his performances improving with each match.
In other Sharks media this week Luke Lewis attracted plenty of headlines in the lead-up to his 250th game and we look at some of the reporting of the signing of Chad Townsend and his return to the Shire in 2016.
The Sydney Morning Herald also reported the Chris Heighington judiciary hearing, where the Sharks forward was cleared to play the Dragons, while details have been released regarding next year's Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines, with tournament dates and ticketing information now available.
See what they’re saying, see what they are writing, in Sharks in the News for Monday, July 13.
Game review
Shire Power – Daily Telegraph – Paul Crawley – CLICK HERE http://readnow.isentia.com/Temp/78014/433737456.pdf
Five Key Points – NRL.com – Joey Riordon – CLICK HERE -
http://www.nrl.com/sharks-v-dragons-five-key-points/tabid/10874/newsid/87936/default.aspx
Sharks hammer Dragons in derby – NRL.com – Joey Riordon – CLICK HERE http://www.nrl.com/sharks-hammer-dragons-in-derby/tabid/10874/newsid/87929/default.aspx
Barba’s game changing play – NRL.com – Joey Riordon – CLICK HERE
http://www.nrl.com/ben-barbas-game-changing-play/tabid/10874/newsid/87939/default.aspx
Lewis 250th
Lewis hopes Gallen becomes a one-club man – Sun Herald – Daniel Lane – CLICK HERE
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/cronulla-sharks-star-luke-lewis-hopes-paul-gallen-can-be-a-oneclub-great-20150711-gia5c0.html
Lewis 250th – Daily Telegraph - Christian Nicolussi – CLICK HERE http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/luke-lewis-will-put-multiple-injuries-and-surgeries-behind-him-to-run-out-for-his-250th-nrl-game/story-fni3gol8-1227437096303
Match preview
Sharks v Dragons - Daily Telegraph – Steve Zamek/Dave Riccio – CLICK HERE http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-v-dragons-st-george-illawarra-in-danger-of-slipping-into-finals-battle/story-fni3g9a3-1227438366908
Townsend signing
Flanagan reassures Bird – Sportal – Steve Orme – CLICK HERE http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/flanagan-reassures-bird-as-townsend-returns-to-sharks/1pe7qcd0l6lye1wwybb04lkzo1
Sharks sign Townsend – NRL.com – CLICK HERE -
http://www.nrl.com/sharks-sign-townsend-/tabid/10874/newsid/87723/default.aspx
Other news
Heighington beats charge – Sydney Morning Herald – AAP – CLICK HERE
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/cronulla-sharks-forward-chris-heighington-beats-dangerous-throw-charge-at-nrl-judiciary-20150709-gi931h.html
Best and worst buys – Fox Sports/Daily Telegraph – James Hooper – CLICK HERE http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-best-and-worst-buys-2015-unfashionable-raiders-dominate-best-buys/story-fn2mcuj6-1227438464963
Dick Smith Auckland Nines 2016 – NRL.com – CLICK HERE
http://www.nrl.com/dick-smith-nrl-auckland-nines-returns-waitangi-weekend-2016/tabid/10874/newsid/87905/default.aspx
