Did the Sharks peak too early?

[LittleDavey]

Was Gallen injured or rested? It's possible the Sharks were overconfident and thought they had it in the bag before a tackle was made.

I've been trying to find all morning where someone said the Broncos can only win if the refs allow a clean ruck, but the Sharks & Melbourne can adapt either way. I think this loss disproves that of the Sharks. Despite yet another "crackdown", the lying in the ruck this year has been horrible, and it's clear that teams like the Sharks have revelled in it. It's been said many times that the refs will one day decide a premiership. My concern is that it won't be via an error, but by the refs showing no diligence in the mandated cleaning up of the ruck.

Yeah that was me - I forget where though lol. And as [MENTION=8761]Dash[/MENTION] said, I think I named Storm & Cows. Agree the ruck bullshit has been ridiculous this year, and it has completely removed any benefit from the lower interchange. Agree the Sharks are one of the worst offenders, but most teams have been into it this year as well, so it wouldn't be real fair to single out any one team (though the Sharks are certainly grubby enough).

I do rate the Sharks, they have a solid squad, with a good mix of youth and experience - but I have been saying for weeks that they're been riding the wave of momentum and how they handle a loss will define their season. The loss of momentum eventually came with the Titans' draw, and they have NOT handled it well yet. There's still time, and maybe this weekend was the wakeup call; alternatively, they're shot ducks and their season is over. Time will tell I guess..not willing to write them off just yet, but another poor showing next week and it's all over red rover.

If that's the case, I'll be backing the green machine in for the premiership I think.

 

[Stix]

Yeah that was me - I forget where though lol. And as [MENTION=8761]Dash[/MENTION] said, I think I named Storm & Cows. Agree the ruck bullshit has been ridiculous this year, and it has completely removed any benefit from the lower interchange. Agree the Sharks are one of the worst offenders, but most teams have been into it this year as well, so it wouldn't be real fair to single out any one team (though the Sharks are certainly grubby enough).

I do rate the Sharks, they have a solid squad, with a good mix of youth and experience - but I have been saying for weeks that they're been riding the wave of momentum and how they handle a loss will define their season. The loss of momentum eventually came with the Titans' draw, and they have NOT handled it well yet. There's still time, and maybe this weekend was the wakeup call; alternatively, they're shot ducks and their season is over. Time will tell I guess..not willing to write them off just yet, but another poor showing next week and it's all over red rover.

If that's the case, I'll be backing the green machine in for the premiership I think.

I reckon we have a better chance than the Raiders

 

[Dexter]

The Sharks will be shitting the bed thinking of a rejuvenated Souths this week. Their last 3 games are Souths, Roosters Storm which ATM looks a shitload harder than it did 2 weeks ago.

 

[GCBRONCO]

A 15 man Souths side beats them tonight lol

 

[Harry Sack]

I'm torn, I put money on Souths but the Sharks losing has cost me a perfect round in tipping.

 

[Super Freak]

Still premature?

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Nope. Not premature at all.

Byebye grubs. Suck a bag of dicks.

 

[Foordy]

as i was saying during their massive winning streak ... Sharks haven't got that extra gear to go up.

of all the top 4 teams, i fear the Sharks the least.

 

[Big Pete]

It certainly makes the next two weeks interesting.

We've seen this happen before. Even last year, the Cowboys & Broncos were in similar shape heading into the finals before they were able to flex their muscles. If the Sharks lose to Sydney & Melbourne, their season would be nothing but that impressive winning run.

They still have their captain to return. If he can hit the ground running, the Sharks will be as good a chance as any.

 

[Cult]

Lol easy draw gives them a few wins and now they've forgotten how to win. Couldn't happen to a better bunch of guys.

 

[vertigo]

And the Roosters have just played them back into form..

 

[winslow_wong]

And the Roosters have just played them back into form..

I hope that just means we put 50 on the foghorn leghorns next week

 

[Big Pete]

So how do we get to the bottom of this?

 

[Morkel]

We declare the statement right or wrong retroactively depending on how they go in the finals.

 

[Big Pete]

Of course, why didn't I think of that?

Overs/unders?

 

[Rally Towel]

I am still of the opinion they peaked too early and will tumble out of the finals in a gloriously humiliating fashion.

I may be tipping with my heart though.

 

[Broncoman]

Sterlo has tipped them to make the grand final.

 

[vertigo]

Finishing top two pretty much guarantees them at least a prelim, which would be their fifth in the NRL era which is pretty impressive considering how much shit they've been given over that time.

To put it in perspective, Canberra haven't made a prelim in a unified comp in over 20 years!