The middle forwards, which in the modern game includes the front rowers as well as those who play in the lock position, are certainly crucial to success in the NRL
Control the middle of the field, consistently dominate the forward battle, and as many experts will say, you go a long way towards winning games of rugby league at any level.
At the Sharks in 2022, coach Craig Fitzgibbon has a solid bunch of big boys to call on, with who he fits into his 17 and how he shares around the game time, likely to become clearer the closer we get to the kick-off to the new season.
In 2021 Braden Hamlin-Uele, Toby Rudolf, Aiden Tolman and the departed Aaron Woods shared minutes in the front row, with Jack Williams, Siosifa Talakai and Rudolf filling the lock forward role.
Bringing impact whether a starter or off the bench, Hamlin-Uele can score a try and puts a dent in opposition defences whenever carrying the ball, while Tolman’s strengths are somewhat contrasting as a player with a big motor, a high defensive work rate in churning out lots of quality minutes.
In Rudolf, Fitzgibbon has a middle forward displaying some of the attributes of both the aforementioned. He can play plenty of game time where required, gets around the field in doing plenty of tackling and carts the ball forward with vigour.
Jack Williams is a versatile type, playing mainly as a lock during the past few seasons, but in 2021 also showing he has the leg speed and agility to move a little wider as an edge back rower. Last year was arguably his best in the top grade and with continued improvement Williams will be hard to leave out of any Sharks 17.
Royce Hunt had a severely interrupted season in 2021 after bursting onto the scene the year before, injury, the birth of his first child and the complications of the Queensland Covid bubble that followed, limiting his opportunities. We saw what he was capable of in 2020 and Hunt’s size and power would definitely be an asset to this Cronulla side.
Then there is the experienced Andrew Fifita, attempting to get his career back on track after suffering a shocking throat injury late last year, along with powerhouse rookie Franklin Pele and young Queenslander Jack Martin.
Fifita has been included in the Indigenous All Stars team for what he hopes will be the kick start his season needs, with the big fella at his best one of the leading props in the NRL.
As for the youngsters, Pele has an impressive physique and after debuting in 2021 will be in search of more time in the top grade, while Martin as a Development list player will continue to learn his craft, bide his time and attempt to be ready if opportunity presents.
While all of the above are certainly quality players, it is two big name signings who are set to make a considerable difference and to enhance the Sharks chances of success in 2022.
Dale Finucane joins the Cronulla Club from the Melbourne Storm, Cam McInnes from traditional rivals the Dragons, with the pair set to bring their professionalism, class and work ethic in bolstering the ranks of the Sharks middle forwards.
A lock/front rower, Finucane has played 218 games in the NRL, been to six Grand Finals, winning two, in addition to having an Origin career which has seen him wear the sky blue of NSW on five occasions.
No less impressive are the credentials of McInnes, twice named the Dragons best and St George Illawarra’s captain before deciding to make the move the Sharks. His preparation will be flawless, his competitive instincts and energy on game day infectious to those around him. McInnes will likely to slot into the starting side at lock while potentially filling in at times for Blayke Brailey at dummy half should the situation require it.
They do the hard yards, mix it with the big boys in the NRL, with the Sharks middle forwards well equipped to give at least as good as they will get during the 2022 season.
