Round 15
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 d. Parramatta Eels 14

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Bird set to miss Origin decider, Kimmorley cleared
Mon June 23, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Scans conducted on the left knee of Greg Bird, taken at Southern Radiology at Miranda, have indicated that Bird has a 'ruptured posterior capsule' and 'bone bruising' around the knee. Both the anterior and posterior ligaments are intact.

Sharks Dr David Givney will confer with NSW Doctor Hugh Hazard regarding the injury, however while the injury is projected to keep Bird off the field for a period of only two to three weeks, it is likely Bird will be unavailable for the upcoming State of Origin match.

In other Sharks injury news, Brett Kimmorley had x-rays today on his left eye socket and cheek bone but was cleared of any fractures. Indications are that he will be available for the Sharks next match against Canberra on Monday night.

News Source: www.sharks.com.au


Sharks tough out crucial win over the Eels
Sun June 22, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.au

In a game that was described as "very tough" by Coach Ricky Stuart, the Cronulla Sharks were 16-14 winners over the Parramatta Eels at Toyota Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In front of a packed home crowd of 17,547, the cold weather did nothing to steer away Sharks fans rolling in through the gates for the big game.

It was a mixed day for the Sharks however with Greg Bird suffering a posterior cruciate knee ligament injury which is almost certain to sideline him for 2-3 weeks at best and rules out any chance of him playing his fourth straight State of Origin game baring some sort of miracle.

Understandably though, Bird remains positive and believes he will return to the park a lot sooner than expected and play in Game Three of the Origin Series and help continue the Sharks winning streak.

"I usually heal pretty well so I'm not writing myself off just yet and if it comes back from the scans with only a slight strain of the posterior cruciate ligament then hopefully with a quick recovery I might be back in a week and a half," Bird said.

"I'd like to be picked but I'm sure that we will know well before the selection stage whether I am going to be right or no.

"It did hurt a lot. I remember looking up and seeing the replay and watching it hyperextend and it didn't look too good but as I said a lot of things can go wrong, it hasn't swollen up too bad and I have ice on it so we will wait and see how it goes."

The first half saw some solid defence by both sides with plenty of big hits and passion in every run. Paul Gallen put a solid shot on the Eels Josh Cordoba which saw him hit the ground and lift the Sharks side. From there, the Sharks looked to score early spreading the ball wide on a few occasions but the Eels defence remained strong.

In the 10th minute, Parramatta winger Taulima Tautai scored in the corner and Luke Burt converted a difficult kick from the sideline looking into the sun. Not long after the Sharks conceded another penalty which saw the Eels take an 8-0 lead.

In the 24th minute hooker Isaac De Gois cleverly darted out from dummy half close to the line crossing over for the Sharks first try of the game and Covell converted to take it to 8-6 in favour of the Eels.

One of the most crucial moments in the game however came in the 28th minute when Bird came within inches of the try-line after his knee was hyper extended. The look of anguish on his face replayed on the big screen was felt by all supporters and it certainly did not look good. Bird will have MRI scans on Monday morning to see what the extent of the injury is.

After a tight first half of football, the Sharks went into the break behind 8-6 but the second half saw them play with the assistance of a strong southerly wind behind them.

Not long into the second half the Sharks were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute and Luke Covell had no trouble slotting it through the posts to tie the game at eight apiece.

The next ten minutes saw some scrappy play from both sides and in the 53rd minute a penalty goal was awarded to the Eels after video referee Bill Harrigan over-ruled the initial call made by referee Shane Hayne.

The Sharks were next to score as young forward Luke Douglas pounced on a ball that was cleverly knocked out of the hands of an Eels player by Brett Seymour in the in-goal area giving the Sharks a 14-10 lead after a Covell conversion.

In an exciting finish with four minutes to go, young Parramatta winger Tony Williams scored in the corner to level the games with a pressure kick for Burt to come.

With a Sharks crowd heckling the opposition fullback, Burt looked to have put his team in front before his conversion fell agonisingly short in front of the posts leaving the game at 14-all.

With less than two minutes to go, the game looked set to go into Golden Point Extra Time. However, as Brett Kimmorley attempted a 45m field goal, Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi came charging through with a careless head-high shot on Kimmorley and the home side was controversially awarded a penalty goal from right in front.

Covell converted and the Sharks came away victorious 16-14.

After the game, Eels Captain Nathan Cayless questioned Kimmorley's intent of staying on the ground and raised speculation over whether or not it was all to do with gamesmanship, but Kimmorley denied the Eels skippers accusations.

"No I don't think so. I feel like it was a bad way to win yeah, it was a good game of footy and it probably wasn't a good result but I certainly didn't stay down to get a penalty," Kimmorley said.

"I think that if you have watched most other times when I've got hit, I have gotten up straight away."

The Sharks fourth-straight win leaves them equal first on top of the table with 22 points leading into next weeks game at Canberra Stadium against the Raiders on Monday night.

Report by Reece Carter

SHARKS 16
Luke Douglas, Isaac De Gois tries, Luke Covell 4 goals
defeated
PARRAMATTA EELS 14
Tony Williams, Taulima Tautai tries, Luke Burt 3 goals

Report Source: www.sharks.com.au

Toyota Cup Report

NRL: Sharks 16 v Eels 14
NYC: Sharks 16 v Eels 36

Wed June 18, 2008
• $50,000 on Eels to defeat Sharks
  
Tue June 17, 2008
• Eels keep winning team
  

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