By: Liam Tapper (@liamtapper)
The Sharks continue to roll on in 2016, Sharks flyers fly on try-scorers list and Sharks pose the real question; Why Not Us?
1. Attacking game day like it’s the winter of ‘99
Previously known to be an “ugly team” and one who would “grind out wins”, the Sharks have added a new dimension to their game in 2016; a potent attack.
The Sharks currently sit atop the Telstar Premiership Ladder on 36 points however the Sharks have scored the most points (481) in 2016, ahead of last season’s Grand Finalists the North Queensland Cowboys (462) and Brisbane Broncos (458).
Many of the Sharks faithful would be casting their minds back to the attacking prowess of our 1999 team who accumulated a total of 636 points that year with the likes of Andrew Ettingshausen, David Peachy and Mat Rogers running riot on their day.
2. Our back three = our top three
On top of a whole team effort in both attack and defence in 2016, Valentine Holmes (15), Ben Barba (13) and Sosaia Feki (13) all sit in the top 5 of the try scorers list this season.
All game breakers in their own right, the Sharks “back three” have been huge for the Black, White and Blue this season in turn amassing more points collectively then a few other NRL Clubs…
Valentine Holmes certainly chose a great way to celebrate his 21st, bagging a double, coming excruciatingly close to a hat-trick along with his side getting the two points.
3. Gal earns his downtime, like his fellow Origin charges
With Andrew Fifita heading off to Fiji, Wade Graham and Jack Bird retreating to to Queensland and James Maloney taking a week on the sidelines, Paul Gallen would be right in asking Head Coach Shane Flanagan for a spell.
After running for 167m against the Knights, 202m against the Roosters, 220m against the Eels along with playing his final State of Origin match in between, Gallen will take it wasy this week and come back fresh for the business end of the season.
4. How good is Sunday afternoon football in the Shire
The playing group love it. The Members and fans love it. The Shire loves it. Sunday afternoon football at Southern Cross Group Stadium is one of the best places to be in Sydney.
With another bumper crowd (16,882) helped by the no.1 active support in the NRL, the Sharks were driven home in the second half by a crowd who were loud, resilient and in full voice
5. The Sharks family is in this together; #WhyNotUs
Whether you’ve been a Sharks fan your whole life, a player in the heart of the battle week in week out or simply fallen in love with the Sharks’ story, you’re on the ride.
15 wins on the trot is no mean feat and it’s something special.
In saying this, Paul Gallen reiterated again yesterday that the Club has won nothing yet and there’s still a long way to go in 2016.
It does get you excited though. In 2016, why not us?
