Cronulla head into Saturday night’s semi-final in Canberra with a wave of belief behind them, and Matty Johns reckons it’s the most dangerous version of the Sharks yet under Craig Fitzgibbon.
Since their second bye in Round 18, Cronulla have surged into form, winning seven of their last eight games and brushing aside the Roosters in last week’s elimination final.
That momentum, Johns believes, makes them genuine contenders.
‘Best football’ under Fitzgibbon
“They are playing their best football they have under the tenure of Craig Fitzgibbon,” Johns said on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns. “But apart from that, they are talking it up, which I love.
“Like Ronaldo (Mulitalo) talked it up before the game (against the Roosters) and went out and delivered. Nicho this week has been right up on his toes. They are in a really aggressive frame of mind.”
Former Bronco Denan Kemp backed that view, suggesting the Sharks’ long-standing struggles in high-pressure fixtures may finally be fading.
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“I reckon they are quietly confident,” Kemp said. “The Sharks have always got this knock (on them) of getting rattled in big games. But I don’t think that's the case as much anymore. They’ve matured over the last few years.”
The Sharks will take their newfound confidence to GIO Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off set for 7.50 pm AEST. SEN’s coverage begins at 7 pm through the app and radio network.