The key to the Sharks ending their hoodoo
Cronulla need to be careful against the Storm. Photo: Getty
Cronulla’s biggest enemy in their bid to win a first NRL title is not the star-studded Melbourne Storm, according to former Australia representative Michael Crocker.
Ahead of Sunday night’s much-anticipated grand final, Crocker, who won premierships in 2002 (with the Sydney Roosters) and 2009 (with the Storm), thinks it is Cronulla themselves.
Shane Flanagan’s side have won through to their first grand final since 1997 on the back of an attacking and exciting style of play that has Sharks fans dreaming of silverware.
But the likes of Ben Barba, Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird and Sosaia Feki need to be careful against the Storm, Crocker believes, with the chance of things going wrong much higher against a well-drilled defensive side.
“Cronulla have to be effective with the ball,” Crocker told The New Daily.
“They can play a very flamboyant style, as we have seen this season.
“That looks great when it comes off.
“But it’s also a style of play that can go horribly wrong on the big stage.
“They have been very effective when it comes to their offloads and their distribution this year – it’s their key strength.
Barba has enjoyed an excellent 2016 season. Photo: Getty
“But they’ve got to get it right because the price they pay for mistakes could be high.
“I think the Storm’s defence is fantastic. On the edges they are great – and that is where the Sharks are such a good side.
“So that battle will be critical.”
Cronulla have reached just three grand finals in their 50-year history and the enormity of the occasion has some suggesting the Sharks could be overawed – particularly against a Storm side so battle-hardened in big occasions.
But Crocker says Cronulla’s older players will ensure the group does not let the occasion get to them.
And he thinks the atmosphere at a sold-out ANZ Stadium can really help the Sharks.
“I think they’ve got the perfect balance of senior guys and youngsters, and that will help them deal with the occasion,” he said.
“The likes of Paul Gallen, James Maloney and Luke Lewis have played in a lot of big games before – and been very good in them.
“They will help out the younger players and the atmosphere will be great.
Cronulla will get plenty of support on Sunday. Photo: Getty
“It will be a full house of mainly Sharks fans. Cronulla really used that to their advantage against North Queensland at Allianz Stadium in the preliminary final.
“It’s almost going to be like a State of Origin match.
“The common enemy up here [in Sydney] is Queenslanders and obviously the Storm have quite a few of those boys involved.”
Despite acknowledging the fact the Sharks will have the crowd on their side, Crocker is still tipping a Storm victory.
And he hailed their coach, Craig Bellamy, as the best the game has seen.
Crocker played under Bellamy for three years at the Storm and said: “I know Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson have had great records, but having seen Craig’s impact first hand, and how he is as a coach, and how he transforms boys into men – he’s the best.
“More recently, the impact he has had on the likes of Cameron Munster and Jordan McLean is immense.
Crocker says they don’t come better than Bellamy. Photo: Getty
“They’ve also got the greatest leader I’ve ever played with in Cameron Smith.
“The culture of the Storm and their coach makes a big difference – and that’s why I think they will win.
“Their big players just so often stand up in the big moments.”
The 2016 NRL grand final between Cronulla and Melbourne will start at 7.15pm (AEDT).