Sharks Team of the Decade – 2010-2020 - Wingers
In continuing to provide a reminder of the players to have worn the blue, black and white of the Sharks with distinction since 2010, we’ve come up with a list of some of the very best wingers, the leading finishers to represent the Cronulla club over the past decade.
Was it the pair who helped the Sharks claim their maiden Grand Final success of 2016, or maybe a player who battled away in a struggling team where his opportunities were maybe somewhat limited?
As outlined last week and again yesterday with our ‘tip sheet’ on the best fullbacks over the last 10 years, we are asking you to select a Team of the Decade, a Sharks squad 1-17 which you believe to be the best from 2010 to the currently suspended 2020 season.
Rather than focusing on the fact there is no rugby league at present we are giving Sharks fans the chance to have your say in letting us know who your favourites are from the past 10 years.
Today we take a look at some of the more notable names to play on the wing for the Sharks over the past 10 seasons. Who are your picks as wingers in the Sharks Team of the Decade – 2010-2020?
The Wingers
The 2010 season was Luke Covell’s last in the NRL, with the goal-kicking winger playing six years and 131 top grade games at the Cronulla club.
On the opposite flank that season was a youngster named Blake Ferguson. Later to become an Origin and Kangaroo star, was his contribution in 2010 at Cronulla enough to see him included in a Sharks team of the decade?
Nathan Stapleton was another to debut on the wing in 2010 but unfortunately serious injuries at crucial times curtailed his career. When fit and firing, Stapo could play, 18 tries in 61 NRL games over four seasons in the top grade an indication he could find the line when given the chance.
Colin Best, in his return to the Sharks after a few years away, played 45 games in 2011 and 2012, another local junior in Mitch Brown saw limited game time when back at the Sharks in 2015-16, with Panthers junior and former Australian Schoolboy rep Matt Wright playing 45 games over three years from 2011.
Bean Ryan made the switch from the Tigers to the Sharks in 2013 and certainly had his moments before injury forced a premature retirement in 2014, but one man became a constant after debuting against the Knights during that same season, with Sosaia Feki almost an automatic choice in either the two of the five jersey over the six years to follow.
Consistently amongst the Sharks leading try scorers, it was Feki’s ability to bend back the defensive line bringing his team out of trouble, that was perhaps his greatest asset.
Feki had a variety of partners in his six seasons, including amongst them Kiwi international Gerard Beale, Jonathan Wright, Edrick Lee and Sione Katoa, however it was his combination with Valentine Holmes in 2016 that helped guide the Sharks to premiership success.
Where does Holmes fit in your team of the decade. Fullback or wing??
Then before completing the list of wingers, has Ronaldo Mulitalo in limited game time done enough to warrant inclusion in your best-of team? Raw, tough and passionate, Mulitalo has been a revelation since earning his place in the Sharks NRL side late in 2019.
Again, it’s over to you. Who makes your team of the decade and who are your wingers?
Download the Sharks Team of the Decade template here and start filling it out today - once you've finished your squad, upload a picture to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag our pages plus use the hashtag #UpUp - or email your sheet to [email protected].
