TeamList Tuesday - NRL Rd 25 and NRLW Rd 8 2026

[00:00:01] The Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking is a hidden gem of the Shire, situated on the banks of the beautiful Port Hacking. It's a great place to catch up with friends, celebrate your birthday or any special occasion, and they always show the NRL live on the big screens. The RNYC Port Hacking, proud sponsors of this podcast and big supporters of the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. Check out their website rmycph.com.au

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[00:00:57] Hey, hey, welcome to SharkCastPod, a podcast dedicated to the greatest sporting club in the history of the world. The Mining Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. My name's Sam Shadazio, G. 2015, 12 seasons of podcasting about this great club, the ups, the downs, the in-betweens. I'm here for it all. The team was Tuesday. We're obviously going to discuss the teams and the name for NRL and NRL dub, but happy to talk about anything else, all things Cronulla Sharks.

[00:01:26] And I'm here for it. So there's comments coming in, which is great. And anything you want to chat about, please do. We know that we're playing on the Gold Coast this weekend. So Sunday, two o'clock at Cibar Super Stadium in Robina. The Gold Coast, a bit of a tricky game. I like to score points that mob, although the past two games up there for the Titans, they've scored, I think, six and eight points respectively.

[00:01:54] So certainly a very winnable game. And that's what we need to do after two very disappointing losses. We all concede that it just hasn't been good enough and we need to see change real quick. And the problem with that is Trindle's out for an undisclosed amount of time.

[00:02:13] So it's going to be a bit different this weekend. Trish has been in touch and said, hoping for a better performance from the team this week, worthy of traveling to the Gold Coast. Yeah, absolutely, Trish. And safe travels. But yes, absolutely. But there's nothing else to say really about that. Hello to all of our mates on the Insta. Now, Rockies jerseys. Give Rockies a follow. Rockies underscore jerseys.

[00:02:44] He says, who else is excited for the same list Tuesday? We'll find out in a few minutes. It might not be the same, my friend. We shall see. Ash says, can't wait to see my afternoon ruined with my weenie name. But that's not a very good attitude, Ash. I don't like that. We'll see if he's named or not, for starters. We know that he can perform at a higher level than what he has been.

[00:03:12] And I can tell you he's not alone in the past two weeks in having disappointing performances. So let's not leave a whole bunch of other guys out of this, please. Queensland Sharkboy said, this is going to be interesting. Ash has said, again, he's not a fan of Ma, and that's fine. Queensland Sharkboy said, I'll be there. Last time I was at a game, we won 66. Which is fantastic. So I appreciate all that. And absolutely have your say. Anyone have your say?

[00:03:40] Probably nothing more sinister than what Ash has gone to, but have your opinion. There's a very small minority out there who think that you can't have your say on the show. You can say whatever you want. You can't swear, and you can't make it personal. That's the only two things. Anything else you want to say, you can say it, and I'll put it up, and I'll talk about it. But use your big brains and be respectful, and you can say whatever the hell you want.

[00:04:06] Dale says, not Dale, Tony says, really hoping for a bounce back, and we're traveling up for the game. Okay. A few legends traveling up. This is exciting. A few legends flying in from overseas as well, I know of. Kevin says, come on, boys, get back on track up, up. Absolutely. It hasn't been a fun two weeks.

[00:04:30] I would like to remind the naysayers out there, however, that under Craig Fitzgibbon, five seasons in, we've never lost more than three games in a row. We're currently at two. Do you know how many times we've lost more than three games in a row in the one season? Twice. Peace, man. Twice. So let's not go end of world here. This is doable.

[00:04:59] This is turnaroundable. Starts this weekend. Haven't liked what I've seen the past two weeks, particularly against the drags. But this is doable. Get through a little bit of a hiccup with Trindle getting back. They are three winnable games. Tough games in their own sort of logistics. But get him back and let's march on in.

[00:05:26] Kevin, I'll see what I can do about a drum roll. Need an assistant here, but we'll see what we can do. Hello to all the legends all over. Rocky's Jersey says, it doesn't matter how we win, just win. The boys need that winning feeling back. Completely agree. At this point of the year, you might be able to see behind me. I know NRLW are about to train. I can see Ellie Johnson in my background. You guys probably can't. Maybe you can. Anyway, I'm getting distracted, which is I'm told what happens in my brain.

[00:05:57] Now, Rocky's jerseys, you're right. You've got to win. It doesn't matter. And I felt the same way about the Dragons, felt the same way about Canberra. You've just got to win. At this point of the season, you've got to get there. Now, the better form you have, sure, happier we all are, but you've just got to get there. Jay says, hypothetical, doing the media rounds, if we ended up with Adam Reynolds in 22 onwards, we've made a grand final.

[00:06:27] We'll never know. I like the hypothetical. I love those sort of arguments and debates. I don't know. I don't know. Because I wouldn't necessarily say that our halves have fallen over in the prelims necessarily. I'd have to go back and watch them. But wasn't Niko the best player for us against the Cowboys in 22, for example? Not sure. I like it, though. I love those chats. Keep them coming.

[00:06:57] Ash says, the squad we have should have been in grand finals by now. And yeah, I don't discount that. Jay says, we just need to win the next two weeks, no matter the margin. Hopefully, the Dolphins lose to the Roosters in two weeks' time. Yeah, that's the saving grace, isn't it? We want the Dolphins to lose at least one, which is probably against the Chookies. And then we can march on if we win all our games. I will say to you this, Ash. You say that we should have had more premierships by now, given they've been together for five years.

[00:07:26] It's kind of hard to get a premiership. It took this club 50 years to get one. So it's not the easiest thing to do. I'll just say that respectfully. But I take what you're saying. Like, I'll say this. We shouldn't have dropped games to Canberra and to the Dragons. I'll say that for sure. MJ says, it hurts more being out of the top four as it gets our hopes up. Although we can still make it, we just need to win and the Dolphins drop one. Yep, absolutely. It does hurt. Rocky's jersey says, in fairness, the squad has probably overachieved.

[00:07:55] Put the team list up against the Storm Panthers over the past five years. And they have us covered. Now, Clevo makes a really good point. And it's a bit of fun more than anything. But we did lose to the Dragons and Raiders on the way to the premiership in 2016. And he said, it ended up just like this exactly. Exactly. We're doing a proper recreation. Rocky's jerseys, though, says we did finish third. So take all of your points. Awesome. Appreciate you all very much.

[00:08:24] Sarah, hope I got your name right because I forget things. She says, hello. I hope everyone's having a good day. The boys definitely have it in them. Come on, black, white, and blue. Absolutely, Sarah. So thank you for that. Hope you're well. Alex says, hopefully Britt and Haradi learn how to pass. Yeah, they weren't great. They weren't great. I'm going to get back to that one. Let me bring that back because we've got a team to get through. But I'm going to get back to that and have a bit of a chat about things.

[00:08:52] Now, Kev wanted this request. Hopefully you can all hear it. Your team to play the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday, 2 o'clock up on the Gold Coast. Will Kennedy is at fullback. Your wingers are Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Molotalo. Your centers are Marwini Harati and Keil Ido.

[00:09:21] So Harati and Ido hold their spots. Coming in to replace Trindle. The big boot to Trindle is Nephi Peru. Nephi gets the starting spot with Nico Hines. Returning, hopefully, in beast mode. Adan Fnual Blake is starting with Jesse Colhoon. Blake Braley, captain, in the middle of that front row. I think that's pretty good. Back row is Britton Nikara, T. Wilton, and Cam McInnes.

[00:09:50] Your bench is Sifatallakai, Billy Burns, Oregon Kofusi, Tall Tom Hazelton, Hoheppapuru, and Braden Welle. That's your bench. Interestingly enough, on the reserves bench comes two guys we haven't seen for a while. Liam Eisen, Toby Rudolph, with Sam Stonestreet in the middle of that.

[00:10:13] So, compared to last week, Nephi Peru comes in to start. Fnual Blake comes in to start. Colhoon is starting. And the bench is Talakai, Burns, Kofusi, Hazelton, Peru of the Hoheppa variety, and ULA, with the reserves list of Liam Eisen, who's killing it, in New South Wales Cup. Sam Stonestreet, also doing very well. And Toby Rudolph. That is your team to play the Titans.

[00:10:43] Now, the Titans team. Keanu Kinney. Boy, he's good. Jalen DeGroot on one wing. Phillip Sammy on the other. Jojo Fafida and AJ Brimson in the centres. It's actually a pretty good back one. Their halves. A Jaden Campbell, son of Preston, and Lockie Illis. Forwards are Fodueka. Hooker is Oliver Pascoe, and Big Tino is the other front rower and captain. Some handy props there in Fodueka and Big Tino.

[00:11:14] Back row of Arama High, Beau Furmore, and Cooper Bai. Bench of Curtis Morin, Cleese Haas, Chris Randall, Bodie Sharpley, Luke Somerton, CLA Fomani, and the reserves are Adam Christensen, Jet Liao, and Tony Francis. So, it's not a bad team to type in the name, but it's certainly one that we can defeat. I mean, they're quick back lines. We've got to look out for that.

[00:11:41] We saw last week we've got to be burnt by the speedy backs of the Raiders. And also, their front row at least can do a pretty good job. So, Fodueka and Big Tino need to be put in their place. We will get to the NRLW shortly. Now, some comments. So, Alex was talking about Britton Hirati not passing on the weekend. Right behind me, you can see it over my shoulder where it happened.

[00:12:09] And I was pretty critical of that in the post-game show. And it's probably me double-downing more about you guys can say whatever you want to say on the show, as long as it's respectable to human beings and not swearing. But there was a few comments around saying, like, don't hold back and all this sort of stuff. And it's like if you go listen to the post-game show after the Canberra game, I was pretty critical for like an hour of the team. So, just wanted to put that out there. Dan says, incoming wet blanket.

[00:12:36] I feel that the early losses in the year and now Dragons and Raiders top four is gone. I think it'll be another year falling short, week one or two, arguably our biggest miss opportunity yet. You might argue 22, but take your point. Let's see how it plays out. The top four is not gone. And that's not fanboy talking. That's just mathematical facts. If we can't beat the next three teams we're playing, it's a reality check.

[00:13:04] If we can, we're back in the hunt and let's see where we land because other teams could fall over. We could rise. We could fall over. They could fall over. A whole lot of things could happen. Kevin says, is there any weight to the Bradman best signing rumors? And to my knowledge, they're just rumors. I don't have anything concrete to say that there's been meetings or even any kind of indication of anything, to be perfectly honest with you.

[00:13:31] So I don't want to get your hopes up, but I certainly don't want you to live in hope that I'm keeping it from you because I'm not. Would I like to see Bradman best the shark? He's a pretty good player. I'll give you that. Dan says, at least Fin's up will rate well this week. Well, that's your business. I got enough to worry about. Also, someone was trying to get us to bump heads and it wasn't me and it wasn't you. Someone else, I can't remember who it was, but everyone had to stay in their lane.

[00:14:01] And I'm not referring to the gentleman who just posted something up. Sarah says, so excited to see Nephi up again. He did well earlier in the year. He absolutely did. He did well and he's got to continue that form for us. Just do his thing. I'll say this. He's great at backing up. He plays that kind of traditional half in attack quite well. Defensively in first grade, I think a minor blemish. So he's got to keep that defense up because that's not his strength.

[00:14:29] But I have to say in first grade, so far, so good. Chris says, very dangerous game against a team with nothing to lose. Nervous about this one. Three losses in a row will hurt. Lift this week, boys. Yeah, I think we're all a bit nervous based on what we saw the last two weeks. We thought we'd had that out of our system. We don't. Yeah, we got a lift. Future Dude says, Michael Gabriel not on the bench this week, assuming he'll start for Newtown unless something happened between the previous game and this afternoon.

[00:14:59] I would assume he might as well. I think that's not a bad thing for people who want to see him in first grade because it means he's getting some runs on the board. So it doesn't mean he'll be picked this week, obviously, but it means that maybe they're getting him ready for next week or future. Kevin says, love the bongo roll. You're a sick man. Al, people over on the Insta are very busy, which is awesome.

[00:15:26] Jay says, the Eels in 22, Sharks in 16, and Cowboys in 15 all took at least five years to win the comp or make a comp after making various finals and copying it from the media for falling short. So, yeah, it's a hard thing to do. So, Rocky's Jersey says, if we had named Gabriel, I'll attempt a backflip. I've never tried and I'm injury prone. Well, I'm glad they didn't. So there you go. Glad for that reason only. No other reason. Jay says, good to see Toby back on the extended bench.

[00:15:56] He says, I think we can beat the Titans from what I saw against the Knights with the opportunity. Just got to be on and ready to take them on. Absolutely. Like, it's the only way to play is to turn up and be ready. And, I mean, we started the Dragons and Raiders games okay and just fell away for whatever reason. I think Trindle leaving didn't help, but it's certainly not an excuse. So we've shown historically, particularly with this team and with this squad under this coach, when we turn up

[00:16:25] and we're told we can't, guess what? Usually we can. And I'm relying on the fact that we haven't lost more than two games for the past two and a half seasons in a row. I'm relying on the fact that Fitzgibbon has not lost more than three games in a row as a Shark in the one season. You might have one where it trails off in the next season, but that doesn't really count. And I'm relying on the bounce back factor and they know to an individual

[00:16:52] and to the group, they know that they've let something slip and it's up to them to get back into that circle. It's not impossible. We are relying on another team slipping up, which would be at this stage to Dolphins, and they've got that in them. So it's all about us turning up and playing. We're playing the Titans away. It'll be a bit of a siege camp mentality. Then we come home, so to speak, come back to Sydney.

[00:17:17] We play the Eels on a Sunday Arvo, and that won't be easy. Like they're a pretty emotional club. And then we come home to what will be an emotional evening at Ocean Project Stadium against the Storm, and I think it's already a sellout. If it's not, it will be. And it's Old Boys Day, and it's 10-year premiership day and the whole thing. So three games they've got to be up for, and they've got to win them. If you win two, okay, you can still have some fun,

[00:17:46] but just win all three and make it easier on yourselves. It's already getting a bit difficult. Queensland Sharkboy says, have I heard any more on Trindle? They're just doing the kind of wait-and-see approach, the wait-and-see recovery. They don't have a date for when he's back. He's postponed surgery. He's going to play on. He's got to heal. They're talking about potentially the Storm game, so the last round, round 27.

[00:18:13] So it'll be, I guess, three weeks to the day maybe, three weeks from one day to the day. But no, three weeks to the day. So we'll wait and see on that. It could be put off until the finals. So there'll be negativity there because they'll be like, well, he hasn't played and he's going to play in the finals. Jay is saying one more win will likely get us an elimination final at least at home.

[00:18:40] And there was some word going around last night in the press. I think it was from Christian Nicolusi who was talking about Dino Mesutester, our CEO, talking about getting a home final here at Ocean Protect Stadium. So the can is open and let's play that game, everybody. Where do you want to play? Where should we – where do they deserve to play? I want to play here just to annoy all of the haters and I've told you that multiple times.

[00:19:11] In reality, if you take me anywhere to play a final, we go there to win. Let's win, baby. We've done it before. We can do it again. Playing here does not give you an automatic win. We know that as well through hard lessons. We got a good one last year against the Roosters. A lot of fun. So we'll see what happens there. I have no intel on what the NRL want to happen or don't. It will depend on the opposition. The quote from Dino, I didn't even really – I don't think it was a proper quote

[00:19:39] because it didn't make much sense about who we'd play and where it should be. But the essence was we want to play here. And that probably comes from the coach and the players and from the board and the CEO. So we shall see. Buckle yourselves in. People are going to say some nasty things about that. What can you do? What can you do? Loosh says, disappointing team list man. All right.

[00:20:09] Well, let me know what you find disappointing. Lewis, who is very, very mature and smart for his age, says, breathe, Shark fans. If it was easy, it wouldn't be Cronulla. Up, up. Whoa. I'm feeling faint all of a sudden. Jesse says, I'll be there with my young fellow who's a mad Tommy fan. Tall Tommy. Can't wait. That's awesome, Jesse. All right. Shake comes in with not negativity but just different opinion and says, I'm over the coach. Drop someone.

[00:20:37] There's enough players being terrible to make a statement. The guy's a joke. Some heavy words there. And again, you know, you're free to say it. I mean, that's borderline whatever. But you've said it. That's up there. So I disagree. I disagree with most of that. However, I'm very open to bringing in new people. Sarah says, prayers for Trindle for a quick and speedy recovery. Absolutely. Amen. In fact, Dan is saying they won't let us have another final sadly.

[00:21:06] Well, Dan, you know I like you. But you're putting out these big statements. You don't know that. You don't know that. Peter Volandis has an interest in this stadium. I don't know how more blunt I can be. He has an interest in this hotel over my shoulder and in this stadium. So it's not a direct no. And no, you don't have to be quiet in your next comment. I want you to have your say.

[00:21:35] Everyone can have their say. I'm just saying your opinion is they won't let us have a final. And I completely respect that. You were probably right. But you don't know it. Jesse says, sharks. Not sharks related, but quick question. Do you rate Kyle and Murray getting the QB one spot? Oh, Jesus. Just now I feel faint. I don't know how to feel, you know. I think there's a lot of pros, maybe a few cons.

[00:22:04] But I don't know if my boy JJ is the one. And it breaks my heart to say that. I would have persisted with JJ personally, given the way he finished the season. I like the fact they brought in a guy who has proven that he's not a bad player on his day. So let's see. I love the fact that he's a bit different, if you know what I'm saying, the size, stature. And it's going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it. Skol, my friend. Shake says we're the only team that refuses to give a young talent a run.

[00:22:33] All right. Well, do you know why insert player is not getting a run, my friend? Do you know for a fact? Do you know why they're not picking a younger player to place another player out of the team? Because all the speculation, it's all internet talk. It's all, if you don't know, there's probably a reason why. And it's not being stubborn. If you think that they don't want to win this game and win the comp, come on, man.

[00:23:03] Again, the words you're using. Refuses to give young talent a run. Refuses. Let's wait and see. Steve says Haradi cannot draw and pass and end Peru's defensive liability. Okay. So again, like I've got a bit of a bee in my bonnet and I love all of you people and you know that. Steve, you know I love you. Nephi Peru, in what did he play? Three to four games in NRL?

[00:23:28] He was part of one tricorce that I can recall and it happened to be the first one in the first game that he played. And that was it. That was it. One tricorce. I understand in New South Wales Cup, he hasn't been known to be a great defender. I watch every minute. I may not watch it live, but I watch every minute. In NRL, he has not been a liability.

[00:23:57] I can't guarantee you on Sunday he won't be. But that statement, again, I don't know it's true. And I respect the hell out of you, Steve. Keep them coming. Pete says I got on late and missed the team. Do I mind going through it again? I do mind, Pete. What are you doing? You're killing me. Come on, man. Jokes. Jokes. Jokes. Jokes. Jokes. Jokes. I'm even going to give Pete, because it's very topical to Pete, the bongo role.

[00:24:27] But he won't appreciate that because he, like me and myself, wear drummers. That ain't no snare, my man. So we got Will Kennedy at fullback. Our wing is Akatoa and Mulatalo. Marwini keeps his spot with KL in the centers. Nephi Peru comes into the team for an injured Trindle. Nico Hines holds his spot, as you would imagine. For Noah Blake is back in starting front row with Jesse Colhoun. Blake Braley's the front row. Pretty handy.

[00:24:56] Back row is Britton Nicarat, the phenomenal T. Wilton, and Cam McInnes. The bench is Talakai, Burns, Kafusi, Tall Tom, Hoheppa, and Braden Wille. The reserves bench is Liam Isen, Sam Stonestreet, and Toby Rudolph. So that front, that pack could change in a number of ways. So we'll wait and see on that.

[00:25:23] But that's what's going on there, my friend. Hope you're good. Kieran Fraser, Woody Woodpecker, if I've ever met one. He says, I've got a lot of problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it. Malcolm, yep, got you covered. Shake says, Sione's cost us countless. Line breaks have been too slow. Haradi is average. Britt has no confidence at all. Look at the weekend. Three chances of one-on-one, and he messed them all up. Yeah, I'm with you, Shake. I covered that on the post-game. You were watching. You were contributing.

[00:25:53] I was critical of, I think, at least two of the three people you've mentioned. I don't know if I was critical of Sione or not. Maybe I was in defense. But absolutely. Like, there was a lot of criticism for Nico Hines last week, and I understood where it was coming from. But when I watched the game back and watched it with my big brain, he was setting them up left, right, and center, and particularly right. And both our edge, back row, and center on that side were struggling to create from that.

[00:26:22] So I'm with you. I understand the criticism. And I have no problem if the coach brings in a younger player. I'm just saying that the stereotype out there that he refuses to do it, I think that's a massive stretch. Williams 2.0 says, Ison in the Reggies, is there anything wrong with Will? Not to my knowledge, Williams 2.0. I think it's more of a reward for Liam Ison, who's killing it in the Reggies.

[00:26:50] And, you know, a bit more game day experience and that kind of thing. We'll see if he travels with the team or not. Sometimes they obviously don't. They just play for the Jets. So we'll see what happens there, how it plays out. Won't know for a few more days. But to my knowledge, there's nothing wrong with Will Kennedy. Pete says, The forwards make me happier than what we ran out with last week. And I think it's a lot more of a stable lineup, especially that front row. I mean, for Blake Braley, Jesse Colquhoun, three of our better players. Sarah says,

[00:27:19] Haradi and Puru are the next man up as far as experience and talent goes. And if the team is well meshed together, then we let them go fight it out in the field together, just as we did with Billy Burns. So, good point there. And thank you. And, you know, the argument would be, well, why don't you throw in Riley Pollard instead of Nephi Peru? And it's like, well, first of all, it's a pecking order. And on the pecking order, at the moment, Nephi is above Riley. Nephi has more cup experience. He has more NRL experience.

[00:27:50] He has potentially more experience with the top team as far as training goes, although Riley has been part of it for a while now. So, he's not accustomed to it. I think if you throw in Riley Pollard, I'm a huge Riley Pollard guy. I think he'd do a great job for you. I understand why he's not being played this week because it's not his time. I get it.

[00:28:20] Now, if the 5-8th chosen goes out and has a 0 out of 10 game, I'm sure people in the building are going to like go, well, what can we do about this? So, there is a pecking order. Now, Al Wilson, I don't know if it's the Al Wilson, might be another Al Wilson, whoever it is, we love you, losing those two games will do them good. Okay. I see what you're saying there. Interesting. You know who it won't do good? The fan. The fan.

[00:28:49] I was not gray in the beard until the last two weeks. The last two weeks, I've got a lot of gray in my beard. Sarah says, when we see things, I don't know what this means. Oh, yes. You're saying that with guys like Billy and Nephi coming in, people are still saying we're refusing young guys to go. Well, what people are referring to, Michael Gabriel in particular in the centers, they think he's ready to go.

[00:29:16] Some like Liam Eason, there's a few guys in lower grades that are really, really good. So, that's what that's referring to. Craig says, I'm traveling four hours each way this Sunday for mine and my young fellow's birthday. For the love of God, I hope this lot show up this week. Well, happy birthday to you and the young fellow. Awesome, Craig. You're a ledge. Thanks. And I hope for your sake, my sake, Shotcast Universe's sake, that we turn up.

[00:29:45] Yes, Shake has pointed out that they're not the young guns. Yep, of course. Steve says, Haradi has had two bad games in a row and still in the team. I take your point. I'll save this, the Dragons game. They were all pretty bad. And he happened to miss the last tackle and the game was kind of already done. People are focusing on that one tackle. I'm not, I'm not defending him.

[00:30:12] I'm just saying, I don't think that that Dragons game, when I think of that game, I don't go Haradi was the problem. You know what I mean? Like, let's be honest about this stuff. Future Dude says, I think it's a genuine issue about Fitzy not giving some of the younger players a go. But if we do, we should have done that ideally at least midway in the season. Yeah, I take that point that you don't do it now. Like, I agree. Like, now is not a good time to throw in kids.

[00:30:39] You can throw in one maybe if they're ready. I'm assuming that they're close. I think Michael Gabriel's close. Like, honestly, I don't know how else to say it to you, but I can't give you a reason specifically why he's not picked this week. But I'm telling you, he's close. Keep your head down, brother. Keep working hard. Now, before we move on, I would like to go to the Insta pages.

[00:31:09] One of the people who we're talking about has actually joined. G'day, RP. Now, where are we at here? Okay. Queensland Sharkboy says, I'll back Fitzy till the cows come home. He'll bring us our next premiership. He knows the cattle he's working with far more than any of us. So I think it's a really good point in that not having blind faith. I know that you don't have blind faith. I know that you know the game well, Queensland Sharkboy.

[00:31:38] But that's what I've been alluding to for the last half an hour or whatever, is that we can watch all the games we want. And we can study the news, study the forums, study the social media. We can come to training. We can do whatever. We can look at all the stuff. But there's a group of people who know better than us. And whether you like it or not, that's a fact. And they also make the calls. And there's reasons why. So I appreciate you saying that.

[00:32:09] I do. Jay says about Heinz, I was ready to give it to him, but he had way too much to do when he had to spend half his time telling team members where they needed to be in the line during the attacking sets. Yeah. So he was doing a lot of traffic control as well as leading the traffic. Queensland Sharkboy said AFB will make a difference 100%, which is great. Right. Robbie says, I'm pretty disappointed Gabrielle didn't play,

[00:32:39] but at least he can play for the Jets. So that's a positive. And it can't hurt to go out there and play for the Jets. It can't hurt to go out there and play lights out and remind everyone what you're doing. I mean, like I said, and this isn't some sort of like secret code for something else. We are not watching behind us 24-7, four or five gentlemen that way, and women as well, crew down there are watching them 24-7. They know what's going on. There are reasons why.

[00:33:09] Blake Braley for life said, we need the boys to fire up. They've looked really flat. AFB should help and Toby could help. He was in great form before his injury and as influential at times as AFB. Yeah, that's a good point. When Toby's fit and firing, he's pretty inspirational. So let's hope that that's the case. I think he's close to something like one-year deal. He'll be sticking around. So I've got no problem with Toby coming back into the squad. It was at the Logies last night in his Sharks jersey.

[00:33:39] That was pretty cool. Dion says, how's the rumor about Bradman best chatting to Fitz last week? Look, the rumor was traveling around Ocean Protect Stadium. People were talking about photographs, which they couldn't reproduce for me. I don't, I've said it before, Dion, I think you missed it. I have literally no intel into anything like that happening. And I would hate for you to think that it actually happened.

[00:34:05] I can't tell you it didn't, but I can most certainly tell you I've not heard one bit of correct factual evidence that they were even in the same district together. So take that as you will. I said, I'd also like to see Bradman best in our colors in the sense that if they go for him, I got no problem with it. He's a great player. We got a lot of centers coming through, a lot of centers coming through the lower grades. They're not quite ready.

[00:34:34] There's three to four, I think that are going to be top notch in two to three years time. So what that means, I don't know, but he can run a ball. Bradman best. That's for sure. Craig says, have I heard the rumor about at least three players in lower grades asked to be released from their contracts if they feel their path to first grade is being blocked? I have not heard that one. So I've got my ear to the ground.

[00:35:03] I can promise you, I've got both ears to the ground. I pretty much, I was going to say I don't leave this place, but that's not actually true. I haven't heard that. I'd be quite surprised by that, to be honest. That sounds like internet, social media forum, scuttlebutt. If I'm wrong, prove it. But I haven't heard those rumors. Now we put them up. People are going to think it actually happened because people believe what they see and hear. I'm telling you, I haven't heard it.

[00:35:33] Craig, appreciate you raising it. All I can tell you is that when I am down here, I see a pretty happy crew. Are people happy they're not getting selected? No, I'm not going to pretend they're happy. But I'm telling you right now, but as a group, it's not, I'm not going to mention another club, but it's not other clubs that you see in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

[00:36:06] So Sarah asked a question to Shake. This is getting kind of cool. Do you think it might be possible? Do you think it might be something positive in anything they did out there or anything they can improve on in particular? And Shake said, the last two weeks, there's no positives other than Teague being great. Absolutely. Billy trying his guts out as usual. I'd like Fitz to use the bench better.

[00:36:30] I mean, it has been a pretty negative couple of weeks, but we have seen some decent efforts out there from individuals as well. So it's a great question. Pretty good answer. Al says, Farnsworth would be a better signing. Yeah, you're right. I think he's signing. What's my direction? That way. Another kind of coastal suburb. They also like coffee in that suburb. I would love to get Herbie Farnsworth. He's unbelievable.

[00:36:59] It's not, it's not going to happen. Shake is critical of the use of Sif Talakai, which I can join that list. I think that guy should be playing 80 minutes or 40 from the bench. Have you want to do it? Yeah, I agree with that very much. So he's just a beast and we don't get enough out of him. Queensland Sharkboy said, Toby will bring some energy. That's for sure. Love his work so far this season when he's played. So thank you for that.

[00:37:29] I hope you have a great time up there, Queensland Sharkboy and everyone traveling up. It's going to be a good one. Steve is saying start Billy over Cam. So I appreciate that. Thank you very much. Bill brings a lot of energy. He's a big minute player. I like that about him. Pete says, off topic, but I did a gig out at Panthers a couple of weeks ago. Great venue for bands. Do I have any idea whether the new club is considered entertainment and is it set up for it? Great question. The club is, I'm so bad with direction. Just there.

[00:37:58] If you're watching, if you're listening, I'm pointing to the direction of it. But I think there is going to be some kind of function room there, Pete. I don't know if I'd call it a venue room. I don't have intel on that. But I think there will be a space. Now, whether it's ready when they're open or whether it's something they do later on, I'm not sure about that kind of thing.

[00:38:22] But I get the feeling that they are definitely open to it and trying to make it work. So we'll see what happens there. And it would be terrific to have some live music back here because growing up at the old club, so mainly a bunch of all ages shows here. But I know, you know, before my time, lots of great bands played here.

[00:38:45] I remember the big sign outside with the, well, the sign with the little placards up there and, you know, Hootie Gurus are coming, Nick Barker and the Reptiles, you know, all these bands. So hopefully. Sarah says, Siffer definitely has a huge impact when he comes on. I'd love to see him out there more too. So we all want to agree on some of the Siff. The Siff man. Great stuff.

[00:39:09] So I'm going to get to, and I need your comments to be respectful, which they usually are, to be fair. Yeah. NRL Dab are playing at home on Sunday evening. So 6.15 p.m. Sunday evening. We don't choose as a club the time and date, et cetera. They're given to us. 6.15 p.m. At Ocean Protect Stadium. If you're a season ticket holder, you can come in with your membership. If you're not, I think it's pretty inexpensive.

[00:39:36] The Sharks lost to Cowboys last week. It wasn't pretty. The effort was there, just not the one percenters. So not sure what they're fighting for at the moment, but they're the Sharks. We love the Sharks, and let's see how they go. They're playing the Eels this week. Jada Taylor is at the back. Miller, Alaro, and Ma Sampson on the wings. Two really young, great players. They've really done well. Penitani Gray and Staples are in the centers.

[00:40:06] Should point out that there is a pretty big injury crisis here. Hannaway and Ashby are in the halves. Johnston and Quincy Dodd, and so now down to Matalita Takapatolo playing in the front row. Chyna Pallada. Rhiannon Byers returns, which is really good, and Marie Kiriratu. And the bench is Coffey Brookfield, Tegan Dimmick, Caitlin Johnson Green, and Jacinta Carter. Who's been ripping and tearing.

[00:40:35] Now, on that note, I need to tell you that NRLW podcast, this is how we play, is out and about. It's an audio podcast. I have put it up on our YouTube as well to listen to. People are really enjoying it. I urge you to give it a listen. It's not so much about X's and O's. It's about their lives and how they got to where they are and what they go through. And it's fun. It's light. It's heavy. It's warm. It's a whole bunch of emotions.

[00:41:00] Really good chat about just people playing sport for a living and that kind of thing. I'd love for you to support SharkCast supporting NRLW. So if you don't follow NRLW, that's your opinion. That's your choice. Hit play. Give it a listen. If you don't like it, turn it off. But I think you'll like it. It's Jada Taylor, the fullback, and myself, the podcaster, and we're hosting the show with guests each week. First week, we had Madison Ashby.

[00:41:29] Second week, we had China Pallotta. Last week, we had Quincy Dodd. And I just wrapped an episode with Rhiannon Byers, who's a great listen, great story. That'll be out on Thursday night. So give it a listen. Give it a support. Thanks to everyone who already has. Malcolm says, I'm in Bali to watch the Dragons and Raiders games. I was expecting celebrating on the Bing Tangs. I'm home for the Titans game.

[00:41:58] Seemingly a good thing. Gotcha. Well, enjoy that. Hope you had a good holiday despite that. Pete says, sounds like, yeah, Pete played at the old Sharks Club. Pete's a drummer, if you hadn't got that by now. He lugged up all those stairs back in the day. So you probably can't see the grandstand behind me. It's bathed in sunlight. But on either side, I believe, there used to be these staircases. And I remember it from Grand Final Night, actually.

[00:42:29] And, well, other times as well. But Pete's saying he lugged his kid up there. Whoa. Shake says, Cam should come off the bench. Britt needs a week or two to get his confidence back. Like, I love Sione, but he's just far too slow. We need to stop hitting the second row every time. Good ball goes at the back, please. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. So you bring in Stone Street, I'm guessing. And he goes pretty good himself.

[00:43:01] Future Dude says, if we somehow pull off Bradman Best, I'm moving to Bradman Island and taking up residence and citizenship. Well, you're the first one there, so it's all yours. You can say that it's your island. Well, it's Bradman's island, but you're taking up residence. You're the number one first citizen on Bradman Island. That's a big if. Don't forget about Joey Manu, guys and girls.

[00:43:28] Shake says, this team looks a lot better when Blake is attacking the markers and manipulating the A defender. We've been great getting to the red zone, but really poor in it. So, let me just repeat that for a reason I'm going to. It's going to be worth it, guys and girls. Team looks better when Blake is attacking the markers and manipulating the A defender. Football.

[00:44:00] We've been getting great. We've been great getting to the red zone, but really poor in it. So, let me throw a stat at you, Shake 20. Let me throw a stat at you. The Sharks have the second best ratio of scoring a try to tackles inside the opposition 20. Penrith have the best. We're just behind them. So, I understand that you're saying you've seen us be really poor in the last two games, for example.

[00:44:27] But as the year has gone up to this moment in time right now, we have the second best strike rate inside the opposition 20. So, this is why when awesome people like yourself throw out these things and sometimes I hear it and go, oh, it doesn't sound right. What sounds right is we mucked it up the last two games and we've got to be better. I hope you can appreciate me saying that.

[00:44:58] Sarah says, could we do episodes like that with the boys too? How they got where they are and their stories, inspirational stories. So, short answer on that, Sarah, is I'd love to, obviously. And I think the short answer from the club is they would love to as well. But it's sort of a different world where everything is scrutinized.

[00:45:24] Everything is run like clockwork. You know, you hear me talk to the guys during the week on training days and I get between four and, I don't know, sometimes 10 minutes with them depending on what's going on. You know, to grab them for 45 minutes, it actually is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.

[00:45:52] So, that's one thing and to be completely honest with you, like I always am, one of the other issues would be having their story told and the impact that would have in the greater world. So, it doesn't mean it has to be a heart on sleeve, tell me about your life and where everything went wrong and how it went right story. I love that. I love telling stories. That's why I like to do this show.

[00:46:20] So, but it's a bit more difficult, I'll say that. Like, it's not political or anything like that. It's just a bit more difficult to sort of get that one across the line. It's been spoken of. Trying to do it. I'm going to keep pushing for it. But there's probably just, it's probably a bigger hurdle than what the NRLW one was. And the NRLW one wasn't really a hurdle, but it was still a bit of an effort to get to where we are now. So, we'll see what happens. I really appreciate you asking the question and I appreciate you.

[00:46:48] So, yeah, I appreciate you. Malcolm says, great work with the Sharks Girls podcast. Sam, good promo for their games. Thank you so much, Malcolm. I truly appreciate that. Thank you very much. Shake is confirming the last two games have been terrible in the opposition 20 against teams. I completely, I completely understand that. Marking Marks is where are we at on long range tries, Sam?

[00:47:12] So, do you mean where are we at scoring them, conceding them? You probably mean both, right? I think we're mid-table and higher. We're not lower for either side of the ball. I did make a note about the Titans this week as an example for you. And that would be, so the Titans, for example, have the second most long range tries.

[00:47:42] So, we've got to be careful about that. Starting in their own turf, going to our turf. We don't concede. I think we're mid-table. Maybe if there's, what, 17 teams, we're probably sixth or seventh. Oh, that's a bad pun. Fifth or sixth best, maybe between five and eight best for both sides of the ball. Don't have it on me, but just from memory, it's not, it's not nothing shocking either way.

[00:48:08] But we do score a lot from inside the opposition 20 to the point, yeah. Sarah says, thank you. I wouldn't have thought about that with the interviewing the men's team. Thanks for always working hard behind the scenes for what you do. Well, thank you very much. Thanks for listening and contributing, and thanks to everyone. I really appreciate it. It's my pleasure. Don't worry about that. But thank you. I really like, I don't like hearing the accolades, but I'm the sort of person when you say it to me, I go, oh, thanks very much. Now, enough about me.

[00:48:37] Let's talk about the Sharks. Mark says, you probably covered this earlier. What's your thoughts on the inclusion of Liam Eisen into the squad? So, my thoughts are I like it because he's a really good player, and he's going to be a, you know, he's going to have a really good future. I don't know if it's for anything other than a bit of a reward for how he's going in lower grades. He's really going really well in lower grades.

[00:49:02] Like, he's consistently in our top two best players, maybe three for Newtown. And he's come back from a shocking injury, and even post that, not a great recovery. So, to be where he is now, he's really great. They're certainly not rushing him, but I think it's just a bit of a reward to say, you know, you're going to get your time, and he will get his time. We'll sign one more year. Eisen is doing all he can. He's playing out of his skin. He's a good fellow off the field.

[00:49:32] He's around the boys a lot, and he'll get his time, I'm sure of it. I don't think there's anything else this week unless we hear more. I don't think it's because there's injuries or that kind of thing. But let's wait and see. R. Stevens says, Fitzy's starting Hiradi again. He's gone next year if we go out in straight sets. Do you mean the coach is gone or Hiradi's definitely going?

[00:50:02] Let's not forget the straight sets thing. That didn't happen last year. I know you know that, but there's a bit of a feeling going around in the mainstream media that they'll be out in straight sets. It's like, well, it didn't happen last year. But, yes, he has selected Hiradi again. I will say that teams can change from Tuesday to Sunday, but for the moment, that's what's going on. Ellie says, far out.

[00:50:31] I hope they can pull it together ASAP. Gold Coast have been going okay lately, and we haven't. So the Titans are very up and down, Ellie. They've won six games all year. So the fact that we say they're going okay lately, it's – I don't know if that's – we see things and we remember a win they had, but they've won six games all year. The teams they've beaten are the Dragons twice, who, fair enough, just beat us.

[00:50:59] Power, Brisbane, Panthers, and Manly. They're on a three-game losing streak, and they've conceded 30 points or more in each game. So I don't know how well they've been going. I'm not being disrespectful to your comment, Ellie. I've got a bit of a bee in my bonnet this afternoon. But I'll say this, Ellie, that they can be as dangerous as most teams when their attack clicks. Like, look out. Like, it's a fast back line.

[00:51:27] We went through the team and completely take your point there. At home, they've only won three of the eight games, which is half of their wins this year. So to be fair, but their past two games, like I think I said earlier, they've only scored eight points or less in both home games. So they've scored six points in one game, eight points in another. So, you know, if we can't do better than that, what can I tell you?

[00:51:55] Mark meant in regards to scoring long-range tries, but I did remember that the Titans make a lot of line breaks from their own half. Yeah, they do. They do. They can be quite electric. So we need to be on. If we're not on on Sunday, they could score some points and we maybe won't. But I'm assuming we're going to be on because there's no choice. You've got to be on. It's time to go in. Sharks. Sharks forever. It's getting a bit late, guys. I might need to call it quits.

[00:52:25] So what we're going to do is we will do more episodes for you throughout the week. You need to subscribe if you can, please, to wherever you're listening or watching. So if it's Spotify, if it's Apple, if it's Acast, if you watch us on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube, give us a follow, a subscribe. It's all free.

[00:52:49] I will say that the ones you really need to follow are your podcast app. So it's Apple, Spotify, whatever your podcast app is, you should follow us there and also on YouTube. And then you get all of the content. It doesn't mean you get all the social stuff because we're doing a lot more on social as well. After games here, I do like a walk back to the car video. I post some historical facts on the day.

[00:53:18] There's a bunch of things that we're doing just trying to ramp things up. I personally, if this was, I personally would follow everything I can, SharkCast related, because you're going to get things on most of those platforms that cross over, but some you won't. So you'll get everything if you follow everything, if that makes sense. Oh, boy. Malcolm says, Josh Hanna will be gunning to beat his old club. Hopefully, Hiradi is equally motivated to impress his new club.

[00:53:47] He simply needs to be better. I think that's completely fair, sir. I really do. And I had a similar thought. So thank you for reminding me of that. And don't forget that we did beat them 50 points to 10 back in round one here at Ocean Protect Stadium. It feels like a lifetime ago. Oh, my God. But that was how the season started. We won 50 to 10 here and everything was going to be super. And to be fair, a lot of it has.

[00:54:15] We won nine out of the last 11 before the last two games. The season has mostly been pretty good. We don't lose more than two games in a row. Historically, under Fitzy, we haven't lost more than three. And that's been on two occasions in the one season. That means, as Kieran Fraser has pointed out, and I'll talk about Kieran in a second, that means we're not used to losing anymore.

[00:54:40] And I think the switch kind of happened probably 2015 after the year that was 2014, getting the bin. Since then, we failed to make the finals once. And that resulted in a coach getting let go. We're playing hardball. We're not used to losing. So I understand end of world. I do.

[00:55:07] But it's my role to sort of bring you back from the edge of the world and say, it's not end of world yet. I'll let you know when it's end of world. How about that? We'll make a deal. Make a pact. These shows where I don't have you call in, I don't have a guest, are super funny because I just talk like nonstop. And I get sick of my own voice. Okay. So R. Stevens thinks the coach is going to be gone. He plays the same team every week and expects different results.

[00:55:35] So I don't agree that that will happen with respect. I think he's going to be here for the long haul. So I think you might want to get used to it. Whether you like that, hate that, in between that, whatever. I think you've seen him change over the years to a degree. And I think you've also seen him prove a lot of things right in what he believes. So, you know, is it his fault that when we get to a prelim, they can't get it done? Is that his fault?

[00:56:04] Up for debate at least, maybe. But I'm here to tell you R. Stevens 11, who I appreciate you jumping on and love having you on here. I disagree. I don't think he'll be gone. So that's my opinion. You have yours, sir. Al says, don't forget we beat the Warriors twice this year. It's a great point, sir. Great point. Malcolm says, last time we missed the finals, the Titans and the Knights made it. And I'm giggling, and I shouldn't be. Knights are definitely going to make it. They're playing awesome.

[00:56:34] We're playing the Titans this week, so I don't want to jinx that too much. I'm going to get out of here. Appreciate you all so much. And this has been Shark Cast Pod. Teamless Tuesday, we'll reveal the teams. But it's more about having a chat. And as a lot of you pointed out, the teams are more or less sticking to a point most weeks. I can see that. But we're here to talk all things sharks. A good way for me to get the episodes out to you. And on that note, we haven't done Kieran Fraser catching up with coffee ever,

[00:57:04] Cronulla, about the sharks and Giren and whatever it's called, because we just haven't been able to do it. But we're still going to try and do it this week if we can, because we like to do that. I'd like to get Kieran's thoughts. A lot of you like that as well. So don't think we're like hiding from a loss or he's in a ball still. He's out of the ball. If we don't do an episode, it's because we can't get to it. And that's pretty rare. So we're going to try and get Kieran.

[00:57:33] I'm going to try and put him down. He was watching before. Otherwise, just make sure you subscribe and you'll get our episodes as soon as they pop up. We love doing this for you guys and girls. We appreciate the support. Share it around with your friends, family, neighbours, students, people on the street, people at the ground. So when you're here for the storm game and you're sitting next to someone, get out your app and go, see this podcast? Do you know what this is? Do you listen? Why don't you listen? Hit subscribe.

[00:58:03] Give it five minutes. If you don't like the five minutes, if they're talking about bagels or something, then get rid of it. But just keep spreading the word. Keep spreading. Let's keep rising, rising, rising. We're doing good. We're doing good. We can always do better. Just like the team behind me, NRL Dup, and just like our NRL superstars as well, we can always do better. Up, up, Cronulla. We rule the world.

[00:58:31] Even on weeks when we don't rule the world, we're still the greatest club in the world. This is still the greatest stadium in the world. If you want to play a home final here, let me know. If you don't, let me know as well. I'm not going to be offended, but this is the greatest place on earth, and it's a privilege for me to be here. We're going to get out of here with some music. If you like the music, I've got a tip for you. It's old mate Sam Skenazzi. Go search him on Spotify or wherever else you get your music. Oh, my God. I'm just spruiking non-stop. Non-stop, my friends.

[00:59:01] I need an assistant. Up, up, Cronulla. We will talk to you real soon. Actually, while I'm still here, shout out to my friend, Matty Broughton,

[00:59:29] who's watching from Los Angeles, California. So I just wanted to jump back on and say Matty. Matty was at the Sharks-Tigers game in 2008, and it was the one just after the Greg Bird incident. And Matty and I were right near the CWSC on the far side of Lecquart Oval,

[00:59:56] where we had a great game and won, and everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't. Matty Broughton, my friend Matt Broughton was there, and then I got like pneumonia and we couldn't talk. Love you, Matty. We'll talk to you soon. And everyone else, up, up, Cronulla. We're just having some fun here. Don't be too critical. Up, up, let's go.

[01:01:01] SharkCast is supported by the best and most honest real estate agent in the Sutherland Shire, Jason Hawes from Crips & Crips Real Estate. He's an expert in the Caringbara region and has his eye all across the shire. Lifelong Sharks fan and supporter of this podcast, if you're looking to buy or sell in the region, the person you need to be talking to is Jason Hawes from Crips & Crips Real Estate. Call him on 0410 417 450. That's 0410 417 450.

[01:01:31] Jason Hawes, Crips & Crips Real Estate.