Raiders and Sharks Under Pressure After Disappointing Semi-Final Rematch
Last year’s thrilling semi-final clash at GIO Stadium between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks was a high-octane affair. However, based on their early-season form, neither team appears poised to deliver a repeat performance this year. With the competition only four weeks old, fans and pundits alike are expecting significantly more from both the Raiders and the Sharks.
This sentiment was palpable in the subdued demeanour of respective coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Ricky Stuart following the Sharks’ 34-22 victory on Sunday. Fitzgibbon, who recently inked a two-year contract extension keeping him at Cronulla until the end of 2029, expressed relief that his team could return home with their second win of the season.
“I was just happy to come down and put in a performance that was much improved,” Fitzgibbon stated when asked if the win capped a significant week personally. “We haven’t been up the last couple of weeks. The most important thing was the team reconnected. We were a bit patchy, and there’s some stuff to work on, but it was against a good side – they’re a handful, that’s for sure – but I’m very pleased.”
The Sharks have experienced a challenging start to the season, receiving a reality check with a significant loss to Penrith in round two and a subsequent home defeat against the Dolphins. This loss marked their first consecutive defeats since midway through the 2023 season, highlighting a need for immediate improvement.
Key performers for Cronulla in this match included Braydon Trindall, who was instrumental in three tries. Prop Addin Fonua-Blake delivered a top-shelf performance with strong stints in both halves, while Teig Wilton, in his second game back from a shoulder injury, put in a mountain of work.
On the other side of the ledger, Ricky Stuart acknowledged his Canberra Raiders’ struggles. Last year’s minor premiers have managed only one win in 2024, and Stuart believes his team will not secure another victory until they cease their self-inflicted errors. The Raiders found themselves perpetually chasing points on a dry pitch they hadn’t played on all year. Their eagerness, however, often translated into costly mistakes.
“They [Cronulla] are a good footy team, I’ve got a good football team, but our biggest issue is the self-destruction,” Stuart lamented. “It’s happened in three out of our last four games, and we’re not giving ourselves an even chance to test ourselves against the opposition. We’ve been dealing with it, we spoke about it again after the game, and until we do [address it], we won’t win a game of footy.”
Despite the current form, the sheer talent evident in both rosters suggests that writing either team off entirely would be premature. However, the loyal fan bases of both the Raiders and the Sharks will undoubtedly be yearning for a significant uplift in performances in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Challenges and Key Moments
Looking ahead, the Sharks are scheduled to host the Warriors next Sunday. Meanwhile, the Raiders face a challenging road trip to Newcastle. A fixture that might have appeared straightforward on paper a few weeks ago now presents a significant hurdle, especially after Newcastle’s surprising victory over Canterbury.
The Sharks secured a dominant start to the match, racing to an early 12-0 lead while Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh was in the sin bin for a professional foul. Stuart offered no complaints about the referee’s decision, admitting that Horsburgh had placed his teammates under undue pressure.
Teig Wilton was the first to cross the try line, followed by K.L. Iro, with both tries appearing almost too easy for the Sharks. Canberra had seen very little of the ball, but on one of their rare attacking forays, they managed to score through Kaeo Weekes. Weekes, as he often does, pushed up in support on the inside of Xavier Savage, who had made a strong run downfield.
Just before halftime, Sharks winger Sione Katoa appeared to have extended the visitors’ lead when he grounded the ball in the right corner. However, replays indicated that Katoa’s right foot had gone into touch, with the margin appearing to be incredibly fine. Katoa then played a crucial role at the other end of the field, pouncing on a grubber kick from Savelio Tamale to thwart any potential equaliser from the Raiders.
The game was effectively sealed when Nicho Hynes executed a grubber kick, regathered the ball after Noah Martin fumbled it, and set up Jesse Colquhoun for a try. Although Hynes missed the conversion, which offered a sliver of hope for the home side, Canberra ultimately lacked the quality to mount a serious challenge.
Dragons Equal Worst Losing Streak as Titans Find a Star
In another development, the Gold Coast Titans have seemingly unearthed their next star in the mould of David Fifita, following a barnstorming performance from second-rower Arama Hau. Hau was the hero in the Titans’ 22-14 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons.
New Titans coach Josh Hannay celebrated his first win of the season, with Hau’s two-try effort proving decisive. His second try, a spectacular 50-metre solo run in the 74th minute, put the home side in front for the first time on Sunday night.
The St George Illawarra Dragons, now rooted to the bottom of the ladder and winless, have matched the worst losing streak in their club’s history. This latest defeat marks their eighth consecutive loss, stretching back to last year and equalling their previous losing run in 2021.
Adding to the Dragons’ woes, there are concerns for five-eighth Kyle Flanagan. He collided with teammate Hayden Buchanan in the 61st minute while attempting to tackle Gold Coast debutant hooker Oliver Pascoe. The Red V playmaker remained motionless on the ground for several minutes before showing signs of movement in his arms. He was subsequently placed on a medicab and taken from the field.
Flanagan, wearing a neck brace, was transported to hospital in an ambulance immediately after the match. Both teams displayed significant deficiencies in attack, appearing to be outfits that will likely be vying for the wooden spoon this season.
