Round 2
Sharks 12 l. Broncos 16

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Luke Covell [WG] 4 Pts; 2/3g
Adam Dykes [F8] 4 Pts; 1t (3rd)
Darren Albert [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (21st)

Brisbane Broncos
Shane Webcke [PR] 4 Pts; 1t (67th)
Brad Thorn [BE] 4 Pts; 1t (44th)
Casey McGuire [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (70th)
Michael Ennis [DH] 4 Pts; 2/3g



Sharks press self-destruct: again
Sat March 18, 2006
It was meant to be different. All was set for the Sharks, inspired by commemorative jerseys in memory of Steve Rogers, to bring down the 'tired' Broncos. Yet all the rugby league gods, Rogers included, could do was see the script unfold the same way it has for fourty years.

It was indeed a game of two halves. The first was an entertaining affair inspired by a Sharks outfit displaying its potential. The second was marred with the scrapiness and lack of nerve that has beset Cronulla sides time and again.

After dominating the first 40 minutes, with Adam Dykes crossing the line before a David Simmons thriller saw Darren Albert posting his first points in Cronulla colours, the mood was buoyant. Claims that the Broncos were 'old and tired' seemed worthy of exaggeration in various media sources. Surely they couldn't bomb another game, one that held so much emotional standing? However, this is the Sharks. No supporter can rest easy when watching a team that presses self-destruct quicker than the blink of an eye.

All it took was for a bit of vintage Brisbane magic to put the doubters to rest, and to see Michael Ennis capitalise on three quality Brisbane tries, albeit to poor and shaky Cronulla defence. No doubt Mat Rogers would cringe at the thought of this game being a preview to the campaign commemorated to his late father. Most would hardly disagree.

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