Valentine Holmes came through the Sharks Captain’s run this morning with flying colours, training strongly and putting to bed any fears over his fitness.
The Sharks young gun had been in some sort of doubt after sustaining a corked thigh in the victory over Souths, however his injury has responded well throughout the week and he will take his place in the team for the match against the Cowboys tomorrow night.
The team looked focused at training earlier today, with all players participating in the session before boarding a bus, then a flight to Townsville ahead of Saturday night’s big game.
Prior to jumping on the bus, Coach Shane Flanagan addressed the media, answering a range of questions relevant to the Cowboys clash. Audio of his presser is now available on Sharks Radio. CLICK HERE to listen.
The team was due to arrive in Townsville at around 3.00pm.
Also set to ‘land’ in Townsville this weekend is the Sharks plane, a chartered Alliance Airlines flight which will deliver more than 70 Sharks fans to the game on Saturday.
The playing group along with coaching staff will accompany the fans on their return flight to Sydney on Sunday.
Sharks corporate partner AFS have provided The Solution for Cronulla Sharks Supporters in helping to get the flight off the ground.
For not only those on the charter flight but for all Sharks fans in Townsville for the game, a free bus will run from downtown (Sturt Street – behind the Cowboys club) to 1300SMILES Stadium on game day.
For more information about transport to the game, go to the transport link on the Sharks website. CLICK HERE.
The Sharks merchandise van has also made the 2000-plus kilometre trip to Townsville, fully stocked with the full range of Sharks apparel and other products. The Sharks van will eventually arrive on site at 1300SMILES Stadium for game day, where they will take up a position inside the ground at the northern entrance to the stadium.
So for those attending the game, be sure to drop by and pick up an item of the latest Sharks gear.
And if you didn’t grab a seat on the ‘Shark Plane’ and have decided to stay back in the Shire rather than head for Townsville, Sharkies Leagues Club is the perfect place to catch all the action.
The game will be shown live on big screens in the Summertime Bar, auditorium and Locker Room, with all televisions in the Steve Rogers main bar area also screening the game.
Get down to Sharkies and cheer the boys on from afar.
With just six teams left, only three of those in Sydney, the Sharks and their game against the Cowboys has understandably attracted plenty of media attention.
In case you missed it, following are some of the news reports from the last few days.
Glenn Wheeler signs Sharks song – Daily Telegraph - Phil Rothfield – CLICK HERE http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/glenn-wheeler-sings-cronulla-team-song-from-his-hospital-bed-to-show-support-for-his-beloved-sharks/story-fnp0lyn3-1227532674825
NRL Finals by the numbers – Sydney Morning Herald – Michael Carayannis – CLICK HERE http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/sydney-roosters/nrl-finals-by-the-numbers-roosters-v-bulldogs-cowboys-v-sharks-20150917-gjoq21.html
Why Sharks are the dark horses – Fox Sports – CLICK HERE
http://www.foxsports.com.au/the-crowd/sharks-primed-to-spring-an-ambush-on-cowboys-and-send-message-to-rest-of-nrl/story-fnvoi4su-1227532008525
Stats that matter - Fox Sports – CLICK HERE
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-stat-that-gives-cronulla-halves-a-leg-up-over-johnathan-thurston-and-michael-morgan/story-e6frf3uc-1227532200002
Cowboys pack aims for revenge – News.com.au – CLICK HERE http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/james-tamou-says-the-cowboys-will-be-out-for-revenge-against-cronulla/story-fndv2us0-1227531741472
Flanagan a chance for top coach? – Northern Star – CLICK HERE http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/is-sharks-mentor-real-chance-for-top-coach/2778469/
Flanagan lights fire under Fifita – SBS – AAP – CLICK HERE http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/09/18/flanagan-lights-fire-under-fifita
Ennis credit Broncos – Courier Mail - Robert Craddock – CLICK HERE http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/revitalised-sharks-star-michael-ennis-praises-wayne-bennett-for-setting-career-on-right-course/story-fn2mcuj6-1227532202745
Gal turns to Anna Meares – Sydney Morning Herald – Adrian Prosenko – CLICK HERE http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/gal-pal-why-cronulla-sharks-skipper-paul-gallen-turned-to-olympian-anna-meares-20150916-gjo696.html
Cronulla flies Shark Park to Townsville – CLICK HERE
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/cowboys-v-sharks-cronulla-to-fly-80-diehard-fans-on-chartered-flight-to-townsville-for-elimination-final/story-fn2mcuj6-1227530771887?from=public_rss
Cowboys vow to unite – Brisbane Times – Phil Lutton – CLICK HERE http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/north-queensland-cowboys/north-queensland-cowboys-vow-to-unite-against-paul-gallen-and-cronulla-sharks-little-nuggets-20150916-gjnze4.html
Sharks drought – SBS – AAP – CLICK HERE
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/09/17/sharks-drought-48-years-and-counting
Lewis doesn’t care if rivals don’t rate Sharks – Sydney Morning Herald – Daniel Lane – CLICK HERE http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/cronulla-sharks/sharks-veteran-luke-lewis-doesnt-care-if-rivals-dont-rate-cronulla-genuine-nrl-title-threat-20150916-gjnzxo.html
Cronulla the form team – Thurston – SBS – AAP – CLICK HERE http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/09/16/no-more-nrl-excuses-nth-qld-thurston
No fear of Qld crowds – Courier Mail – AAP – CLICK HERE http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-gallen-and-the-sharks-have-no-fear-of-queensland-crowds/story-fniabjcr-1227529551786
