THE Cronulla Sharks have appeared in the last four finals campaigns including successive preliminary final berths in 2024 and 2025. However, SEN’s Andrew Voss believes they may have peaked under coach Craig Fitzgibbon.<\/p>\n
Following their preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm, Fitzgibbon admitted that his side lacked another level to compete with the elite teams of the competition.<\/p>\n
“Melbourne understands what it takes to be a good side,” Fitzgibbon said in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
“We are a really good side that hasn’t converted into being a great side.”<\/p>\n
“I think he summed it up perfectly,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.<\/p>\n
“It was classy and a great assessment of his team.<\/p>\n
“Cronulla are consistently making the finals. They are a very good side and their best is very, very good.<\/p>\n
“How do they get that next bit? Is it there for them? What do you say to your team after Friday night?<\/p>\n
“The difference in the game was the spine. Their one, six, seven and nine,” SEN’s Greg Alexander replied.<\/p>\n
“It comes down to your big game players? How do you get them to improve?<\/p>\n
“You look at a player like Blayke Brailey. He was outstanding this year and he was able to take the next step.<\/p>\n
“Can the other three go to the next step? It was a good finals game from them but it always looked like Melbourne were going to win the game.<\/p>\n
“There were periods (from the Sharks) but the try scored right on halftime (was the killer).”<\/p>\n
Voss also questioned the Sharks’ mentality and decision to take a penalty during the second half to reduce the margin to six points rather than chance their arm and go for a try.<\/p>\n
“I know there are some who like the maths and say take it down to six points to make it a one-score game,” Voss added.<\/p>\n
“I’m very anti that. I wouldn’t do that. Especially when you’re playing Melbourne, I wouldn’t do that.”<\/p>\n