Sound the alarm, Sharks ready to attack 2023 season

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 3 Mar 2023, 07:28 PM

In a new community initiative, a shark alarm is set to welcome the players onto the field to signal the kick-off to the blockbuster clash with the Rabbitohs and start of the Sharks 2023 premiership campaign.

Down at the beach the alarm is a sign of danger, with the Sharks no doubt hoping the same to be true for visiting teams this season, starting with a match against the team which eliminated them from the Finals race last year.

The Sharks would remember their finals exit after suffering a disappointing loss to the Rabbitohs last September and therefore forgiven if they were seeking revenge, however as coach Craig Fitzgibbon explained, it’s a more about looking forward with a focus on what lies ahead.

“We’ve moved on, it’s a new season. We can only start again and hope we get another opportunity like that at the end of the season,” Fitzgibbon said. “But as it stands now, we’re all at the starting line and getting ready to go again. At the moment, it’s all about round one.”

“They (Souths) have been consistent for a long time. The challenge is there for us tomorrow night but we’re excited by that,” Fitzgibbon added.

One of the most anticipated matches of the NRL’s first round, the Sharks v Souths game brings together two teams who come into the contest on the back of strong trial form.

While the Sharks registered two wins in the pre-season challenge, over the Knights 28-16, then Bulldogs by 36-16, the Rabbitohs were one and one, going down by two points to the Sea Eagles (30-28) before winning the annual Charity Shield fixture 42-24 over St George Illawarra in Mudgee.

Tempering the Sharks excitement to an extent is the unavailability of 2022 Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes, the star half back ruled out with a calf issue.

In his place is the extremely capable Braydon Trindall, and while Fitzgibbon would have every reason to be frustrated by the Hynes injury, he preferred to think of it as a chance for Trindall to showcase his abilities on the big stage tomorrow night.

“It’s not a huge injury, it’s just in a delicate spot so you’ve got to play the long game. We felt like it was a risk at his stage and we want to get it right so it’s not lingering,” Fitzgibbon said of Hynes. “

“It’s along year and there will be other hurdles, so this is an opportunity rather than a frustration. I would suggest it’s an opportunity for Brayden.

“He’s had a lot of training time and has combinations with the players inside and outside of him in our team. We share our training time there, so I’m confident in Brayden,” the coach expressed.

Other than Trindall for Hynes, the Sharks team for tomorrow night takes on a familiar look.

With Royce Hunt unavailable, Braden Hamlin Uele moves into the starting side, with Sharks debutant Oregon Kaufusi joining Cam McInnes, Wade Graham and Jack Williams on the interchange bench.

In some of the stats that matter, in the 92 matches played between the two clubs, the Sharks hold the slight advantage, having won 47, as compared to 42 victories for the Rabbitohs. Three games have been drawn.

South Sydney eliminated the Sharks in the Semi Finals last year with a 38-12 win, which represented their biggest victory over Cronulla since 1983, while on the only other occasion the teams came together in 2022, a Nicho Hynes field goal saw the Sharks win a 21-20 thriller in the first Golden Point match ever played between the two clubs.

In recent times, Souths have triumphed in four of the last six encounters, however the Sharks hold the upper hand at home, winning the past four and seven of the previous eight matches contested at PointsBet Stadium.

The Sharks won nine of 11 (including the Finals loss to the Cowboys) at PointsBet Stadium last season, their first year back at their traditional home after spending two seasons hosting games at Kogarah.

The Sharks will also be keen to improve their record in round one matches, with their only two wins in the season opener since 2010, in 2021 v Dragons, and in 2013 against the Titans, leaving them with the equal worst opening round record (15%) alongside Manly.

The Rabbitohs start 2023 on the back of a year in which they won seven of their final 10 regular season games, then knocked off the Roosters and Sharks, before being eliminated by eventual Premiers the Panthers in the Preliminary Final.

It was the fifth straight season South Sydney has made the Preliminary Final

The Sharks v Souths game is scheduled for a 7.30pm kick off at PointsBet Stadium, with the 19-man teams listed below.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 4 Mar

Full Time

Sharks

Rabbitohs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai

Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan

Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 15 Michael Chee Kam
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Wade Graham

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Blake Taaffe
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jack Williams

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Shaquai Mitchell