Craig Fitzgibbon – Michmutters

Tag: Craig Fitzgibbon

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transfer news, contracts, re-signings, Siosifa Talakai, Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Sharks

transfer news, contracts, re-signings, Siosifa Talakai, Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Sharks

The Sharks “have got a challenge in front of them” with five stars from their backline all free to talk to rivals since November 1.

Fullback Will Kennedy, wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa as well as centers Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai come off contract at the end of 2023.

That means they can field offers from rivals in just under three months time which is why news corp journalist Brent Read pointed out on Triple M that the Sharks have “a huge month coming up” if they want to lock in all five players before the November 1 feeding frenzy.

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“I reckon Cronulla have got a huge month coming up,” Read said.

“I was talking to them this morning about Siosifa Talakai because they’ve been trying to re-sign him — he’s one of the November 1 guys.

Wests Tigers opt not to take legal action | 00:47

“The Sharks have been talking to him ages about trying to get a new deal done, they put it off during Origin but they’ve ramped them up again.

“What makes this really interesting is that if you look at the Cronulla backline — Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa — can all sign with another club since November 1. Basically their entire backline, the club’s got about three months to tie those guys down.

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“They’ve got a challenge in front of them in terms of keeping that squad together and you’ve got to hope that it doesn’t become a bit of a distraction during finals time.

Read also highlighted how Talakai’s value has undoubtedly increased since the Sharks began talks with him given the 25-year-old has made his State of Origin debut since then.

Eels tired of ’embarrassment’ by Souths | 01:22

“I would have thought his price has gone gangbusters since then,” he said.

Kennedy is also in line for a pay rise after claiming the Sharks’ Player of the Year honors last season, while Ronaldo Mulitalo became a Kiwi international this year and Jesse Ramien has been in red-hot form, as was Sione Katoa before his season- ending shoulder injury.

“It’s going to cost them a lot of money to keep all of those guys,” Read said.

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Cronulla Sharks, Will Kennedy injury, Tevita Tatola tackle that has left the Sharks seeing

Cronulla Sharks, Will Kennedy injury, Tevita Tatola tackle that has left the Sharks seeing

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says the match review committee has become “difficult to understand” after he lost fullback Will Kennedy to a serious injury as a result of a hip-drop tackle that went uncharged.

Kennedy isn’t expected back until the final round of the regular season after he was forced to undergo ankle surgery following an ugly tackle by South Sydney’s Tevita Tatola in the 63rd minute of last week’s pulsating golden point battle.

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The incident has attracted very little interest during a week where Brisbane’s Patrick Carrigan was banned for four matches for fracturing Jackson Hastings’ fibula in a shocking tackle just hours after the Kennedy injury.

The Sharks sent an email to the NRL asking why Tatola hadn’t been charged, but the response they got left a lot to be desired just a week after Sharks lock Dale Finucane was suspended for two games for an accidental head clash.

“It’s getting difficult to understand,” Fitzgibbon said, confident that Kennedy may return ahead of schedule.

William Kennedy was the victim of an ugly tackle. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“No one actually intends to do it. They are unfortunate and they are happening more than normal.

“But we lose a good player who’s an important part of our team for an extended period, and there was no charge.

“I didn’t understand the explanation, but it is what it is. The same goes for Dale with the head clash. We’ve got to move on.

“Kade (Dykes) gets an opportunity, which is really exciting. When things like that happen, you really don’t want to get stuck and dwell on what you can’t control. All I can control is the team that’s going to play this weekend.”

There is a silver lining to all of this, with Dykes set to make his NRL debut on Saturday in front of a packed house on Old Boys’ Day.

It’s a huge moment for the local junior who will become a third-generation Shark and will follow in the footsteps of dad, Adam, and grandfather, John.

Dykes has been in red-hot form in reserve grade, scoring eight tries and setting up another nine in his 13 games this season where he’s split time between fullback and in the halves.

Lachie Miller and his teammates celebrate a stunning try. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

He’s been playing so well that he’s even pipped former sevens star Lachie Miller, who scored a slashing try on debut for Cronulla back in round 11.

“His form for Newtown has gotten to a point where (picking) him was undeniable,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We had a couple of weeks where we were rotating between him and Lachie Miller. Both really were pressing for selection. He’s got really good balance and speed and footwork so hopefully we can see some of his best attributes from him tomorrow.

“It was a hard decision based on Lachie’s debut.

“If you have a rewards system based on NSW Cup, training, performance etc, then Kade got to a point where it warranted an opportunity.

“I will say Lachie has been performing well and has been pressing for selection as well, so Lachie has some utility value and I do see Lachie playing again for us soon.

“It was difficult in that regard but also really exciting for Kade because he earned the opportunity.”

The hype around Dykes is already building, but his coach is confident the 20-year-old will handle it days after he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2024.

“Young players who are exceptionally talented have a confidence about them so the hype doesn’t affect them too much,” Fitzgibbon said.

“Kade is a confident kid and really confident in his ability, so when you see the way that they mingle with the other players and the way that they train (you’re not worried).

“This is Kade’s first season against has men and he’s been one of the strongest performers in the competition.”

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NRL 2022: The shocking tackle that has left the Sharks seeing

NRL 2022: The shocking tackle that has left the Sharks seeing

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says the match review committee has become “difficult to understand” after he lost fullback Will Kennedy to a serious injury as a result of a hip-drop tackle that went uncharged.

Kennedy isn’t expected back until the final round of the regular season after he was forced to undergo ankle surgery following an ugly tackle by South Sydney’s Tevita Tatola in the 63rd minute of last week’s pulsating golden point battle.

The incident has attracted very little interest during a week where Brisbane’s Patrick Carrigan was banned for four matches for fracturing Jackson Hastings’ fibula in a shocking tackle just hours after the Kennedy injury.

The Sharks sent an email to the NRL asking why Tatola hadn’t been charged, but the response they got left a lot to be desired just a week after Sharks lock Dale Finucane was suspended for two games for an accidental head clash.

“It’s getting difficult to understand,” Fitzgibbon said, confident that Kennedy may return ahead of schedule.

“No one actually intends to do it. They are unfortunate and they are happening more than normal.

“But we lose a good player who’s an important part of our team for an extended period, and there was no charge.

“I didn’t understand the explanation, but it is what it is. The same goes for Dale with the head clash. We’ve got to move on.

“Kade (Dykes) gets an opportunity, which is really exciting. When things like that happen, you really don’t want to get stuck and dwell on what you can’t control. All I can control is the team that’s going to play this weekend.”

There is a silver lining to all of this, with Dykes set to make his NRL debut on Saturday in front of a packed house on Old Boys’ Day.

It’s a huge moment for the local junior who will become a third-generation Shark and will follow in the footsteps of dad, Adam, and grandfather, John.

Dykes has been in red-hot form in reserve grade, scoring eight tries and setting up another nine in his 13 games this season where he’s split time between fullback and in the halves.

He’s been playing so well that he’s even pipped former sevens star Lachie Miller, who scored a slashing try on debut for Cronulla back in round 11.

“His form for Newtown has gotten to a point where (picking) him was undeniable,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We had a couple of weeks where we were rotating between him and Lachie Miller. Both really were pressing for selection. He’s got really good balance and speed and footwork so hopefully we can see some of his best attributes from him tomorrow.

“It was a hard decision based on Lachie’s debut.

“If you have a rewards system based on NSW Cup, training, performance etc, then Kade got to a point where it warranted an opportunity.

“I will say Lachie has been performing well and has been pressing for selection as well, so Lachie has some utility value and I do see Lachie playing again for us soon.

“It was difficult in that regard but also really exciting for Kade because he earned the opportunity.”

The hype around Dykes is already building, but his coach is confident the 20-year-old will handle it days after he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2024.

“Young players who are exceptionally talented have a confidence about them so the hype doesn’t affect them too much,” Fitzgibbon said.

“Kade is a confident kid and really confident in his ability, so when you see the way that they mingle with the other players and the way that they train (you’re not worried).

“This is Kade’s first season against has men and he’s been one of the strongest performers in the competition.”

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Sports

The pain behind Andrew Fifita’s emotional celebration

The pain behind Andrew Fifita's emotional celebration

Sharks veteran Andrew Fifita couldn’t hear the home crowd chanting his name on Saturday night when he crashed over for a try that was eerily similar to the one he scored in the 2016 grand final.

And while he would have loved to have heard the support from the Cronulla faithful, the only support he’s really cared about over the past 12 months has been from his partner who has been there for him after the scariest moment of their lives.

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The Sharks should finish in the top four thanks to Andrew Fifita's try. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images
The Sharks should finish in the top four thanks to Andrew Fifita’s try. Picture: Matt King/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Fifita suffered a shocking throat injury and spent several days in an induced coma last season, but before he got to the hospital, he messaged his wife telling her that he didn’t think he’d survive.

“That’s why I was a lot more emotional when I went over,” he said of his special celebration.

“It’s been a long time, especially for my missus. What she went through, especially in this round, that’s why it felt way more emotional. I think the excitement got the better of me and I started pointing at her saying, ‘See, you don’t believe me’.

“It did get the better of me.

“It’s Women in League round so I wanted to do this for her, but she didn’t believe me. I told her I was going to go over – I had a feeling – and it came true.”

Saturday’s try was the first time Fifita had scored in the NRL since 2020, and it brought back memories of his legendary four-pointer against the Storm in the 2016 decider.

Andrew Fifita scored the most famous try in Sharks history. Picture: Phil HillyardSource: Supplied

That one was in the 68th minute, while this one was a few seconds earlier, and it could prove telling for Cronulla’s top-four hopes.

But can you compare them?

“Por favor. That was the best try in the club’s history so it won’t go near it. I’m just grateful to get over the paint,” he said.

It’s been a long road back for Fifita, who doesn’t play the big minutes he used to.

But if he can chime in with big plays in clutch moments, then he looms as a wildcard for their premiership push.

“That was vintage Andrew,” skipper Wade Graham said.

“He’s worked hard and he’s a great character to have around the place with how much care he has for the team and the club.

“When he has energy, the team has energy – not just the team – but the club as well. You heard the crowd after the try chanting his name from him. ”

Those chants were so loud that you would’ve been able to hear them through the TV even if you had it on mute, yet there was one person who missed it.

“I honestly didn’t hear it,” Fifita said.

Cronulla Sharks press conference | 08:39

“Everyone was saying it, but I sh*t you not, I was saying to the boys ‘what do you mean Andrew chant’.

“When you’re out there it’s different, so you can’t really hear the crowd. You hear them roaring, but I didn’t hear it, and that’s what everyone was saying. I came in here and Dale (Finucane) was going ‘Andrew’.

“I’m grateful. At least I’ve left my touch on here, so I’m all good.”

The try caps a difficult couple of years for Fifita, who spent time in reserve grade playing with the Jets but will now need to step up with Royce Hunt likely to miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury.

“I wanted to play, and I’m forever grateful for Newtown because they brought the love of footy back in for me,” he said.

“Playing big minutes and having some fun on the ball, it was just one of those times.

“Did I think I’d get back? I knew I’d get back to the NRL – that was always there – but the thing for me was about getting back after the accident.”

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