While it was a complete team performance from the Sharks in their 40-22 victory over the Sea Eagles last Sunday, the fans have voted Shaun Johnson as the standout in his teams’ impressive win.
Johnson laid on tries on both sides of the field, kicked intelligently and also earned the tick of approval from coach John Morris for a strong defensive effort, with the Sharks five eighth claiming 42 per cent of vote in being named Fan Poll Man of the Match in the Cronulla victory.
Not only leading his club statistics, but also the entire NRL competition for try assists, it was a kick for Sione Katoa and a well-timed pass to Bryson Goodwin which added to Johnson’s season tally while helping propel the Sharks to a win in the Steve Rogers Cup clash.
Also catching the eye of the fans was the efforts of Josh Dugan, the Sharks left centre scoring a try, carrying the football strongly and delivering a rock-solid defensive performance on the day.
Dugan received 18 percent of the vote, with front rower Braden Hamlin-Uele, in what was his second consecutive week in the Sharks starting side, the third pick from the game with 11 percent of the fan poll.
Relishing his place in the run-on 13, Hamlin-Uele crashed over for a try and led the way up front against the big and physical Manly pack.
Other worthy recipients of fan votes from Sunday’s match included Matt Moylan who continues to improve as his match fitness returns, Blayke Brailey, the hooker producing an excellent 80-minute effort and two-try hero Sione Katoa.
With the three points Johnson goes to the top of the season-long poll, just one point ahead of Dugan.
See the season-long Fan Vote Player of the Year poll below.
Shaun Johnson 9
Josh Dugan 8
Toby Rudolf 5
Sione Katoa 5
Will Kennedy 4
Wade Graham 3
Jesse Ramien 3
Ronaldo Mulitalo 2
Blayke Brailey 2
Braden Hamlin-Uele 1
