Coach Craig Fitzgibbon of Cronulla has questioned many controversial rulings and criticised the bunker following his team’s Friday night 20-16 loss to Gold Coast in Coffs Harbour. Despite leading the competition six weeks prior, the Sharks’ concerning mid-season form slump continued with their fifth loss in six games. As a result, they run the risk of dropping to fourth place on the NRL ladder following round 18.
Fitzgibbon was upset about several rulings that went against him, but other people brought up the Cronulla wrecking ball. It was fortunate that Siosifa Talakai did not receive a red card for a crude high shot on Titans hooker Sam Verrills during the first half. Ten minutes were spent sin-binning Talakai following what appeared to be a shoulder charge at Verrills’ head, during which he made no serious effort to encircle the tackle with his arms.
The NRL match review on Saturday determined that it was grade two dangerous contact, and if the Sharks back-rower accepts the early plea, he will miss one game. The force of Talakai’s contact and the location at which he made contact with Verrills likely saved his life, since many spectators believed he should have been sent out for the rest of the match.
In a Fox Sports commentary, Tigers legend Steve Roach stated, “He hasn’t wrapped his arms there… wasn’t even an attempt.” Amazingly, in an incident that happened that didn’t even need Verrills to leave the pitch for an HIA, observed viewers wondering why Talakai received just 10 in the sin.
Although Fitzgibbon was left perplexed by several calls that went against his team in yet another poor first half, the Sharks may have been lucky in that particular instance. The Titans received the first 25 play-the-balls of the game due to mistakes, penalties, and set restarts. On the first try of the game, Kieran Foran made the Sharks pay, and Chris Randall added a second after the Talakai sin bin. After the game, it was also revealed that referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski had called the final tackle one play too early, which had led to the Sharks attacking early in the second half.
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy controversially denied a try
Fitzgibbon was particularly irritated when Sharks fullback Will Kennedy was controversially denied a try after Titans fullback Keano Kini led with his feet to prevent a try and the Cronulla star fumbled the footy after placing it down on the foot of the Gold Coast No. 1. Fitzgibbon and viewers were left perplexed by the bunker official’s explanation that it was a legal play from Kini. Royce Hunt dropped a ball just short of the tryline, Jack Williams fumbled another on attack, and Nicho Hynes had a pass for Jesse Ramien called forward.
Fitzgibbon remarked, “I didn’t know you were allowed to lead with your feet,” in reference to Kennedy’s no-try call. “I didn’t realise that Nicho was making a forward pass, but that has happened several weeks in a row recently. That’s what occurs when your energy is directed in the incorrect direction and you get tense.”
Pressure-filled Sharks halfback Following his exclusion from the NSW Origin team, Hynes maintained his form dip with another subdued showing in the first half. Despite Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson’s scores and an easy try for Hynes in the second half thanks to some great work by Talakai, Hynes was unable to lead his team to a victory comeback.
Fitzgibbon, referring to Kennedy’s no-try call, said, “I didn’t know you were allowed to lead with your feet.” “I was unaware that Nicho was making a forward pass, but it has been happening for a few weeks now. That’s what happens when your energy is focused in the wrong place and you get uptight.”
High-pressure Sharks halfback Hynes continued his slide in form with another muted performance in the first half after being left off of the NSW Origin squad. In the second half, Hynes had an easy try because of some excellent work by Talakai, but he was unable to lead his team to victory despite touchdowns from Braydon Trindall and Daniel Atkinson.
