NRL legend Billy Slater claims the Sharks “don’t want to play the hard game,” as coach Craig Fitzgibbon continues to face the harsh reality that his side is unable to beat top-eight teams.
The Sharks’ poor record against the competition’s top teams has been exposed in 2023, with Cronulla losing six from seven games against teams currently positioned to play finals football.
Currently sitting sixth on the ladder, the Sharks are likely to play finals football once again in 2023.
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However, Slater considers the Sharks’ chances of lifting the trophy this season are slim, with the frustrations felt by players behind-the- scenes taking a toll on their on-field performance.
“The Sharks are really frustrated at the moment,” Slater told Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“Their performance in the opening 55 minutes against Manly was well below their standard.
“[Cronulla] can play really good against the lower sides but when they come up against a top eight side they generally struggle… They have had this issue for about 18 months now.
“They don’t want to play the hard game at the moment.”
The Sharks face a tough run home in the last six rounds, taking on three premiership contenders, including reigning champions the Penrith Panthers.
Slater said the key weakness that needs to be addressed at the Sharks is their defence , adding the side’s attacking game is “one of the best in the competition.”
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Slater suggested the Sharks should emulate the all out attacking style used by the 2003 Panthers premiership-winning team, taking on the mentality that no matter how many points the opposition scores, they will score more.
“I know that Craig Fitzgibbon is trying to put this defensive mindset on this club and that’s the right thing to do, but we are six weeks away from the finals,” Slater said.
“… They have got one of the best-attacking teams in the competition. I would even try and just go let’s revert back to the 2003 Penrith Panthers [tactics].
“Everyone knows that defence wins premierships and defence makes you a successful team… [but] we know that our defence is probably our Achilles heel.
“Let’s go and play our style of football. Let’s try and win this premiership in a different way.
“Let’s attack… let’s forget about our defence
“There is more than one way to play this game. That might be something they might want to look into.”
“If [they] turn it over in good field position and score points, we’re going to be hard to beat.”
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