The Cronulla Sharks have booked their place in the NRL preliminary finals, but questions continue to swirl around the legitimacy of their premiership credentials. Critics argue the side has benefited from a favourable draw and fortunate circumstances, while others insist the team’s resilience and defensive strength make them genuine contenders.

After finishing fifth at the end of the regular season, the Sharks have pieced together a September run that has reignited their hopes of a second premiership in the NRL era. Their campaign began with a strong elimination final victory over the Sydney Roosters, followed by a tough road win against the Canberra Raiders in the nation’s capital. Yet, while their form line shows back-to-back finals triumphs, some analysts are not entirely convinced by their path.

Brent Read of The Daily Telegraph was forthright on NRL 360, arguing the Sharks have had things fall their way at crucial times.

“I’ll tell you what, they’ve had a charmed life in the last couple of weeks,” Read said on Monday night.

Read pointed to the Roosters’ poor performance in week one, calling it their worst in months, before highlighting Canberra’s setback when promising young star Ethan Strange was ruled out with illness on game day.

“They played the Roosters in week one of the finals. The Roosters were bang average. It was their worst performance for a couple of months. They go to Canberra last weekend, Ethan Strange, arguably their best player, gets ruled out (due to an illness) on the morning of the game.”

The Run-In Questioned

Read also questioned Cronulla’s late-season momentum, noting their draw was not overly taxing.

“They won seven out of their last eight in the regular season and it was a soft run,” he said.

Of those eight matches, the Sharks only faced two top-eight teams: the Roosters in Round 20, where they secured a 31-18 win, and the Bulldogs in Round 27, a convincing 24-6 victory. For critics, that stretch padded their record without offering a genuine test of premiership mettle.

Different Opinions on Cronulla’s Prospects

While Read was cautious about their title prospects, host Braith Anasta offered a more optimistic view, admitting he has been swayed by the Sharks’ recent form.

“I said last week, I don’t think they can win the comp,” Anasta said.

“After the weekend, I’ve changed my mind.

I don’t have them as favourites, but I think it’s possible now.”

Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield, meanwhile, emphasised the club’s improved defensive effort as a strong indicator of their capability to match it with the competition’s elite.

“In the last three weeks, against the Bulldogs, Roosters and Canberra, they’ve conceded less than 10 points a game on average,” Rothfield said.

The Hynes Factor

Central to Cronulla’s resurgence has been the form of star halfback Nicho Hynes. The $7 million playmaker has shouldered plenty of criticism in 2024, but over the past two weeks he has delivered when the Sharks needed him most.

Read, who had been critical of the Sharks overall, made sure to give Hynes due credit.

“I’ll tell you who I think has answered the critics in the last two weeks, Nicho Hynes,” Read said.

“I think he’s been magnificent.”

Anasta echoed that view, suggesting Hynes had a defining moment in Canberra.

“On Nicho, I thought that was a real moment for him, that game on the weekend,” Anasta said.

“Yes, he’s had his critics, and for good reason, but on the weekend, with all the pressure on him, going down to Canberra, he delivered.”

Hynes’ leadership, kicking game, and composure under pressure have steadied Cronulla’s attack at a crucial stage of the season, silencing some doubters who questioned whether he could produce in finals football.

Fitzgibbon’s Steadfast Leadership

Rothfield credited much of the Sharks’ success to coach Craig Fitzgibbon, highlighting his loyalty to his halves combination of Hynes and Braydon Trindall even when results were shaky mid-season.

“I’ll tell you why they’re still alive,” Rothfield said.

“They had a trusting coach, knowing when there were bumpy sports during the year, and mid-year, he stuck with those two halves.”

Fitzgibbon’s ability to back his players and instil belief has been a cornerstone of Cronulla’s campaign. While many rival coaches may have shuffled their line-ups under pressure, his decision to hold firm has created stability and allowed his key playmakers to find form when it mattered most.

Looking Ahead to Melbourne

The Sharks’ next challenge is monumental: a preliminary final showdown against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park. The Storm’s finals pedigree is unrivalled, and their ability to strike quickly through Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, and Ryan Papenhuyzen will test the very defence Rothfield praised.

For the Sharks, victory would not only book them a place in the grand final but also silence the critics who continue to question the merit of their run. Whether their recent defensive resolve and Hynes’ newfound form can withstand Melbourne’s relentless attack will likely determine their fate.

Verdict

The Sharks have divided opinion throughout the finals, with one camp dismissing their progress as fortunate and another highlighting their growth, defence, and composure. The truth, as is often the case, may lie somewhere in the middle. While Cronulla’s opponents have had setbacks, the Sharks have still needed to seize their chances, and they have done so convincingly.

With Nicho Hynes rediscovering his best and Craig Fitzgibbon’s steady hand guiding the side, the Sharks are not just making up the numbers. Their trip to Melbourne will be the ultimate test, and if they emerge victorious, there will be little left for critics to question.