The Sharks NRL squad have finalised their preparations before Saturday’s trial match against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
In a light ball-work session held at Remondis Stadium this morning, the squad ran through their plays and looked sharp ahead of the final pre-season hit out.
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen says the team is confident after what has already been a promising start to the New Year.
“The boys went really good in the (Auckland) Nines, which obviously gave everyone around the place a bit of a boost,” said Gallen.
“We’ve just got to keep that up in the trials and really work on what we want to concentrate on for the year.”
While tomorrow night’s match is the last before the commencement of the season proper, it will be the first appearance of new recruit Michael Ennis – a player that Gallen says has brought a new dynamic to the side.
“He’s brought so much. He’s been outstanding for the club, for training, for the boys, for myself personally. He’s been outstanding I can’t speak highly enough of him,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to playing with him.”
Ennis will add plenty of experience to the squad, but the Captain maintains that the balance of the squad remains in tact with coach Flanagan having named the likes of Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird to play in the NRL trial
“We’ve got a real good mix, there’s a lot of young guys, and a lot of older guys, and a few guys in between,” said Gallen.
“It’s a really good mix at the moment, so hopefully we can keep fit and healthy and have a good year.”
Having gone down 42-22 in the last trial match against Manly on February 7th, Gallen says a good performance against the Tigers will go a long way to getting the season off to a positive start.
“The result is not important in this game. But playing well is.”
See the Sharks team lists for the NRL, NSW Cup and NYC squads below:
NRL Trial
Sharks v Tigers
Saturday, February 21
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off – 7.00
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
1. Michael Gordon
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Gerard Beale
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Ben Barba
7. Jeff Robson
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Michael Ennis
10. Matt Prior
11. Anthony Tupou
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange
14. Pat Politoni
15. Tinirau Arona
18. Mitch Brown
19. Kyle Stanley
22. Jack Bird
26. Chris Heighington
35. David Fifita
WESTS TIGERS
1. Shannon McDonnell
2. Kevin Naiqama
3. Tim Simona
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Pat Richards
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Sauaso Sue
13. Dene Halatau
14. Ava Seumanufagai
15. Matthew Lodge
16. Martin Taupau
17. Brenden Santi
18. James Tedesco
19. Delouise Hoeter)
NSW Cup trial
Newtown Jets v Wests Tigers
Saturday, February 21
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off – 5.00pm
1 Nathan Gardner
2 Dallas Wells
3 Sami Sauiluma
4 Blake Ayshford
5 Cameron Eyles
6 Jake Watts
7 Todd Murphy
8 Tim Robinson
9 Kurt Kara
10 Ray Moujalli
11 Junior Roqica
12 Patrice Siolo
13 Winston Asotasi
Interchange
14 Andrew Pearn
15 Jordan Galloway
16 Kurt Dillon
17 Leonardi Feiloakitau-Fetuani
18 Corey Brown
19 Blake Judd
20 Nesiasi Mataitonga
22 Matt Evans
24 Jack Noble
1 Daniel Abou Sleiman
3 Josh Davis
NYC Trial
Sharks v Wests Tigers
Saturday, February 21
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off- 3.15pm
1 Levy SOPI
2 Josh ADDO-CARR
3 Monson PAEWAI
4 Jamayne ISAAKO
5 Tuli LEOTA
6 Jayden CLARKE
7 Connor TRACEY
8 Alec SUSINO
9 Jayden BRAILEY
10 Tepa FUIAVA
11 Ashleigh NISBET
12 Harrison MULLER
13 Anthony MORAITIS
Interchange
14 Pat HASSON
15 Semisi VEA
16 Travis EDWARDS
17 Thomas LEVI
18 Francis PESA-TUI
19 John LEGER
20 Daniel LIDDICOAT
22 Brad DEITZ
23 Ryan CUMMINS
27 Jayden McDONOGH
