By Jeff Petersen
With this weekend’s visit to Pirtek Stadium, the Sharks are expecting a tough encounter with an Eels side who put paid to an odds-on Manly at Brookvale last up.
Coupled with the Sharks 40-18 romp over the luckless Tigers, the clash with the Eels is sure to be a real test of strength on Saturday.
Sharks favourite, Valentine Holmes’ brace of tries against Wests Tigers at Remondis pushed his season’s tally to 16. His stunning performances in 2015 have escalated the young winger into a try-scoring machine and see him closing in on former fullback David Peachey’s Club Try Scoring Record of 19 (from 26 games) in 1999.
Saturday’s clash will be our 81st game against the Eels. It will also be our 24th against the Parramatta side at Pirtek with honours almost even. The Sharks have their noses in front, 12 wins to 11, with Cronulla also having a slight edge overall, winning 41 of the 80 games played since 1967.
Cronulla’s first win v the Eels at Parramatta Stadium was a 28-14 victory, back in Round 18, 1986 in front of a 12,112 crowd. Sean Watson scored 16 points from 2 tries and 4 goals in a man of the match performance. This win was followed up a year later, the Sharks winning a thriller 26-24. Again the Sharks’ Sean Watson was on target with a late try and 5 goals for the match.
Sharks legend, Andrew Ettingshausen leads the Cronulla try scoring record at Parramatta Stadium with five. Again, the overall the Club record goes to ET with seven tries against the Eels at all away venues.
Last time they met at Pirtek: Monday May 12, 2014 in Round 09. Kick-off: 7:00pm.
Parramatta 42 (Jarryd Hayne 2, Ken Sio 2, Will Hopoate, Semi Radradra, Chris Sandow, Willie Tonga tries; Chris Sandow 5 goals from 8 attempts) Cronulla-Sutherland 24 (Isaac De Gois, Sosaia Feki, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham tries; Michael Gordon 4 goals from 4 attempts)
Eels: 1.Fullback Jarryd Hayne (Captain); 2.Wing Semi Radradra, 3.Centre Will Hopoate, 4.Centre Willie Tonga, 5.Wing Ken Sio; 6.Five-Eighth Corey Norman, 7.Halfback Chris Sandow; 15.Lock Peni Terepo, 14.Second Row David Gower, 12.Second Row Manu Mau, 10.Front Row Darcy Lussick, 9.Hooker Nathan Peats, 8.Front Row Tim Mannah (Captain). Interchange 11.Pauli Pauli, 13.Joseph Paulo, 17.Mitchell Allgood, 18.Junior Paulo.
Sharks: 1.Fullback Michael Gordon; 2.Wing Sosaia Feki, 3.Centre Blake Ayshford, 4.Centre Ricky Leutele, 5.Wing Beau Ryan; 6.Five-Eighth Luke Lewis, 7.Halfback Jeff Robson; 13.Lock Paul Gallen (Captain), 12.Second Row Wade Graham, 11.Second Row Anthony Tupou, 10.Front Row Siosaia Vave, 9.Hooker John Morris, 8.Front Row Andrew Fifita. Interchange: 14.Isaac De Gois, 13.Chris Heighington, 16.Tinirau Arona, 25.David Fifita.
Half-time: Eels 22-12. Scrums: Sharks 7-6. Penalties: Sharks 5-2. Crowd: 12,541.
Eels Coach: Brad Arthur. Sharks Coach: Peter Sharp. Referees: Adam Devcich & Alan Shortall.
Our most recent clash was at Remondis Stadium on Saturday August 02, 2014 in Round 21. Kick-off: 3:00pm.
Cronulla-Sutherland 12 (Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson tries; Michael Gordon 2 goals from 2 attempts) Parramatta 32 (Bureta Fariamo 2, Jarryd Hayne 2, Semi Radradra, Peni Terepo tries; Chris Sandow 4 goals from 6 attempts)
Sharks: 1.Fullback Michael Gordon; 21.Wing Valentine Holmes, 3.Centre Jonathan Wright, 4.Centre Ricky Leutele, 5.Wing Jacob Gagan; 6.Five-Eighth Fa’amanu Brown, 7.Halfback Jeff Robson; 13.Lock Chris Heighington, 12.Second Row Wade Graham (Captain), 11.Second Row Luke Lewis, 10.Front Row Sam Tagataese, 9.Hooker Michael Lichaa, 8.Front Row Andrew Fifita. Interchange: 14.Pat Politoni, 15.Anthony Tupou, 16.Tinirau Arona, 18.Tupou Sopoaga.
Eels: 1.Fullback Jarryd Hayne (Captain); 2.Wing Semi Radradra, 3.Centre Ryan Morgan, 4.Centre William Hopoate, 18.Wing Bureta Fariamo; 6.Five-Eighth Corey Norman, 7.Halfback Chris Sandow; 13.Lock David Gower, 12.Second Row Tepai Moeroa, 14.Second Row Joseph Paulo, 10.Front Row Fuifui Moimoi, 9.Hooker Isaac De Gois, 8.Front Row Tim Mannah. Interchange: 11.Peni Terepo, 15.Junior Paulo, 16.Pauli Pauli, 17.Ben Smith.
Half-time: Eels 10-6. Scrums: Eels 8-3. Penalties: Sharks 9-6. Crowd: 12,798.
Sharks Coach: James Shepherd. Eels Coach: Brad Arthur. Referees: Ashley Klein & Adam Gee.
SHARKS FACT: Between Rd 07 2004 and Rd 11 2010 the Sharks remained unbeaten against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium.
Go Sharks!
SHARKS / Eels – BY THE NUMBERS
OUR AWAY RECORD (1967-2015)
All-Time Record: Played 80 Won 41 Drawn 0 Lost 39 Points For 1,264 Points Against 1,505.
Total Record at Parramatta (now Pirtek) Stadium (1986-): Played 23 Won 12 Drawn 0 Lost 11 Points For 374 Points Against 507.
Record at Cumberland Oval (1967-1981): Played 15 Won 6 Drawn 0 Lost 9 Points For 214 Points Against 245.
Record at Sydney Cricket Ground (1979): Major Preliminary Semi Final: Sharks Lost 4-24.
Record at Belmore Sports Ground (1982-1985): Played 4 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 3 Points For 36 Points Against 70.
Record at WACA Ground, Perth (1991): Played 1 Won 0 Drawn 0 Lost 1 Points For 12 Points Against 22.
Sharks Form in Last 5 Away Games vs Eels: Lost 24-42 (Rd 09 2014) Lost 6-13 (Rd 05 2013) Lost 20-29 (Rd 13 2012) Lost 6-40 (Rd 11 2011) Won 22-18 (Rd 11 2010).
Sharks Form in Last 5 Games vs Eels: Lost 12-32 (Rd 21 2014 at Remondis Stadium); Lost 24-42 (Rd 09 2014 at Pirtek Stadium); Won 32-14 (Rd 14 2013 at Sharks Stadium); Lost 6-13 (Rd 05 2013 at Parramatta Stadium); Lost 20-29 (Rd 13 2012 at Parramatta Stadium).
Sharks First Game (& First Win) vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: Rd 18 July 06, 1986 (Won 28-14) Sharks Scorers: Sean Watson 2, Craig Dimond, Andrew Ettingshausen, Mark McGaw tries; Sean Watson 4 goals Att: 12,112.
Sharks First-Ever Away Game vs Eels: Rd 15 July 02, 1967 at Cumberland Oval (Lost 10-15) Sharks Scorers: Jack Danzey, Terry Hughes tries; Terry Hughes 2 goals Att: 7,625.
Sharks First-Ever Away Win vs Eels: Rd 21 August 21, 1969 at Cumberland Oval (Won 22-14) Sharks Scorers: Noel Gallagher, Peter Howard, John Maguire, Greg Pierce tries; Brian Cox 5 goals Att: 5,648.
Sharks Last Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: Rd 09 May 12, 2014 (Lost 24-42) Sharks Scorers: Isaac De Gois, Sosaia Feki, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham tries; Michael Gordon 4 goals Att: 12,541.
Sharks Last Win vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: Rd 11 May 22, 2010 (Won 22-18) Sharks Scorers: Paul Aiton, Dean Collis, Tim Smith, Anthony Tupou tries; Nathan Gardner 3 goals Att: 13,058.
Sharks Biggest Win vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: Won 48-18 Rd 20 August 13, 1995 (30pts margin) Sharks Scorers: Andrew Ettingshausen 2, Mitch Healey 2, Gavin Clinch, Les Davidson, Aaron Raper, Mat Rogers tries; Mat Rogers 8 goals Att: 9,016; (at Cumberland Oval): 34-6 Rd 22 August 23, 1970 (28pts margin) Sharks Scorers: Paul Taylor 2, Tommy Bishop, Dave Cooper, George Fleming, Kevin Hogan, Greg Pierce, Bob Wear tries; George Taylforth 5 goals Att: 4,651.
Sharks Heaviest Defeat vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: 4-74 Rd 24 Aug 23, 2003 (70pts margin) (at Cumberland Oval): 0-23 Rd 16 July 04, 1976 (23pts margin).
Sharks Best Away Attendance vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: 18,042 Rd 13 June 22, 1990.
Sharks Away Attendance Average vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: 11,453.
Sharks Away Points Average Per Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: 16.2pts.
Most Points Scored by the Sharks vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (48pts) Rd 20 August 13, 1995.
Most Aggregate Points Scored in a Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (78pts) 4-74 Rd 24 Aug 23, 2003.
Most Sharks Points Conceded vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (74pts) 4-74 Rd 24 August 23, 2003.
Most Total Points Scored by a Sharks Player vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (34pts) by Mat Rogers, (3 tries 11 goals); All-Time Points Scorer against the Eels at All Away Venues: (35pts) by Barry Andrews, (1 try 16 goals).
Most Sharks Player Points Scored in a Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (20pts) by Mat Rogers, (1 try 8 goals), Rd 20 August 13, 1995; (All-Time Record against the Eels; Won 48-18).
Most Tries Scored in a Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (2 tries) by Sean Watson, Rd 18 July 06, 1986; (2 tries) by Andrew Ettingshausen and (2 tries) by Mitch Healey, Rd 20 August 13, 1995; (2 tries) by Mat Rogers, Rd 03, February 19, 2000; and (2 tries) by Nick Graham, Rd 18, July 14, 2002. All-Time Away Record: (3 tries) by Mick Mullane, Rd 10 May 29, 1977 at Cumberland Oval.
Most Goals Scored in a Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (8 goals) by Mat Rogers, Rd 20 August 13, 1995.
Most Sharks Team Tries Scored in a Game vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (8 tries) Rd 20 August 13, 1995 (Won 48-18); also (8 tries) Rd 22 August 23, 1970 (Won 34-6) at Cumberland Oval.
Total Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (63 Tries, 41 Try Scorers) Andrew Ettingshausen 5; Mitch Healey 4; Sean Watson 3; Glenn Coleman 3; Mat Rogers 3; Luke Covell 3; Mark McGaw 2; Nick Graham 2; David Peachey 2; Matthew Rieck 2; Paul Gallen 2; Mitch Brown 2; Michael Gordon 2; Craig Dimond 1; Michael Porter 1; Alan Wilson 1; Sean Kelly 1; Chris Quinn 1; Gavin Clinch 1; Les Davidson 1; Aaron Raper 1; Brett Howland 1; Nick Zisti 1; Adam Dykes 1; Matt Bickerstaff 1; Phil Bailey 1; Daniel Dumas 1; Nigel Vagana 1; Paul Mellor 1; Ben Pomeroy 1; David Simmons 1; Paul Aiton 1; Dean Collis 1; Tim Smith 1; Anthony Tupou 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Colin Best 1; Isaac Gordon 1; Isaac De Gois 1; Sosaia Feki 1; Wade Graham 1.
Total All-Time Try Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at All Away Venues: (114 Tries, 74 Try Scorers) Andrew Ettingshausen 7; Mick Mullane 5; Mitch Healey 4; Paul Taylor 3; Ray Corcoran 3; Sean Watson 3; Glenn Coleman 3; Mat Rogers 3; Luke Covell 3; Tommy Bishop 2; Bob Wear 2; Dave Cotter 2; Fred Dennehy 2; Ron Turner 2; Steve Edmonds 2; Greg Mullane 2; Mark McGaw 2; Les Davidson 2; Nick Graham 2; David Peachey 2; Matthew Rieck 2; Paul Gallen 2; Mitch Brown 2; Michael Gordon 2; Jack Danzey 1; Terry Hughes 1; Noel Gallagher 1; Peter Howard 1; John Maguire 1; Greg Pierce 1; Dave Cooper 1; George Fleming 1; Kevin Hogan 1; Greg Pierce 1; Maurie Raper 1; Ken Maddison 1; Bill Benyon 1; Dave Waite 1; Barry Andrews 1; Steve Hansard 1; Steve Rogers 1; Barry Pearson 1; David Burnes 1; Steve Hardy 1; Chris Gardner 1; Shaun McNamara 1; Craig Dimond 1; Michael Porter 1; Alan Wilson 1; Michael Speechley 1; Sean Kelly 1; Chris Quinn 1; Gavin Clinch 1; Aaron Raper 1; Brett Howland 1; Nick Zisti 1; Adam Dykes 1; Matt Bickerstaff 1; Phil Bailey 1; Daniel Dumas 1; Nigel Vagana 1; Paul Mellor 1; Ben Pomeroy 1; David Simmons 1; Paul Aiton 1; Dean Collis 1; Tim Smith 1; Anthony Tupou 1; Taulima Tautai 1; Colin Best 1; Isaac Gordon 1; Isaac De Gois 1; Sosaia Feki 1; Wade Graham 1.
Total Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: (59 Goals, 12 Goal Scorers) Mat Rogers 11; Sean Watson 10; Luke Covell 9; Mitch Healey 6; Michael Gordon 5; Todd Carney 4; Matthew Corkery 3; Jason Ferris 3; Brett Kimmorley 3; Nathan Gardner 3; Preston Campbell 1; Matthew Wright 1.
Total All-Time Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at All Away Venues: (111 Goals, 21 Goal Scorers) Barry Andrews 16; Mat Rogers 11; Sean Watson 10; Luke Covell 9; Steve Rogers 8; George Taylforth 6; Greg Cox 6; Mitch Healey 6; Terry Hughes 5; Brian Cox 5; Michael Gordon 5; Todd Carney 4; Dane Sorensen 3; Matthew Corkery 3; Jason Ferris 3; Brett Kimmorley 3; Nathan Gardner 3; Dean Carney 2; Tony Armstrong 1; Preston Campbell 1; Matthew Wright 1.
Total Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at Pirtek Stadium: Adam Dykes (2001); Brett Kimmorley (2002); Brett Seymour (2007) and Trent Barrett (2009).
Total All-Time Field Goal Scorers for the Sharks vs Eels at All Away Venues: Adam Dykes (2001); Brett Kimmorley (2002); Brett Seymour (2007) and Trent Barrett (2009).
