NRL 2014 season previews: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were one of the success stories of 2013 despite being in the crosshairs of the media, and the public, thanks to the ASADA investigation.
Remarkably, the Sharks were able to put the unwanted extra attention to one side and turn in consistently good performances, and in turn reversing years of terrible performances and results into a finals berth and a top six finish.
They brought together an impressive roster featuring the likes Luke Lewis, Michael Gordon and Todd Carney, with and impressive forward pack and new-found consistency when it came to finishing their attacking sets.

FULLBACKS
The amount of speed the Sharks have between their three main fullback choices has already caught the attention of the Australian Federal Police.
Michael Gordon is best placed to start at fullback, showing impressive form and almost earning a State of Origin recall before injury cruelled his chance. He starts odds-on favourite not only because of his form, but his radar-like goalkicking makes him an asset to every facet of the Sharks' game.
Even if Gordon is injured the Sharks don't lose too much (apart from his goalkicking), with speedsters Nathan Stapleton and Nathan Gardner waiting in the wings (or even on them depending on what Peter Sharp decides).
If all goes pear-shaped with that trio, Todd Carney and Matthew Wright can also cover the custodian role, but it is unlikely we will see either player there.

CENTRES
Aggressive recruiting has added several names to an already overwhelming number of quality centres in the Sharks' selection pool.
If overlooked at fullback Michael Gordon can jump into the centres, with new recruit and former Wests Tiger Blake Ayshford set to make the number four jersey his own.
Ricky Leutele had a breakout 2013 and will fight hard for a spot in the run-on side, with Jonathon Wright also putting his hand up. Sosaia Feki was mainly used on the wing but can jump inside if he needs to, while utility Sam Tagatese has more than enough ability to cover, but will most likely be used from the bench or in the second row.

WINGERS
Remember those names under the fullback heading? You can pencil at least one in to one flank.
Beau Ryan showed his class for the Sharks in 2013 and expect him to do much of the same this year as he stamps himself as an under-rated but permanent member of the run-on squad.
Feki and Wright will also be competing for a spot on the flank, along with the returning Eric Grothe Jnr whose impact will not be known until injuries clear his path to the top grade.

HALVES
Todd Carney and Jeff Robson steered the Sharks to the finals last year and I will not be surprised if they do the same again in 2014.
Cronulla built plenty of momentum when the two were playing alongside each other regularly, with an injury to Carney halting their charge towards the end of the year.
Their more than capable backup in Chad Townsend has left the club for New Zealand Warriors, with Penani Manumalealii serving as the new deputy. Wade Graham could also be called up if the halves are hit by seriously bad injuries.

HOOKERS
Under-rated but a solid performer, John Morris should hold his starting position in favour of Isaac De Gois. Morris has been one of the Sharks' best in recent seasons and thrives due to the lack of attention directed his way.
He's a composed dummy half, sticking to the game plan so seamlessly viewers can easily forget he's there. De Gois is a quality backup coming off the bench, and the only change to their positions in the 17 will be to throw the oppostion off.
They also have talented hooker Michael Lichaa up their sleeve, so don't be surprised if you see him coming off the bench later this season.

FRONT-ROWERS
When one of the best front-rowers in the competition enters beast mode Sharks players are thanking the heavens (and their employer) Andrew Fifita is on their side.
Arguably the most improved player in 2013, Fifita played his way into both New South Wales and Australian jerseys by the end of the season.
He will be guaranteed a starting front-rower spot for as long as he remains injury-free, with captain Paul Gallen likely to remain in the front row alongside the beast.
They make up one of the most intimidating front row pairings in the NRL, but that is about where the intimidation ends.
Bryce Gibbs will get the job done from the bench, while David Fifita and Matt Prior serve as more than handy backups.

SECOND-ROW/LOCK
Cronulla's real strength lies in their back-row.
Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington form a strong second-row with the tough Wade Graham locking the scrum. The trio have already proven they work well together and individually are three of the toughest players to stop. They have the footwork to slot into the backline but the size and strength for the forwards.
They are backed up by former Australian representative Anthony Tupou and utility Sam Tagatese, who has already shown strong form in the trial games and during the Auckland Nines.
Keep an eye out for Tupou Sopoaga as well.

THE COACH
The ASADA investigation (amongst several reviews of the Sharks club) has claimed the scalp of head coach Shane Flanagan for the next 12 months, with Peter Sharp stepping up for this year. Sharp hasn't coached in the NRL since he led the Northern Eagles/Manly Sea Eagles a decade ago, but he has served as an assistant in several clubs since (he also had a one and half year stint with Hull). It is a bit of a gamble to predict what he will do but I personally believe he will have photocopies of Flanagan's playbook and they will look to replicate what worked so well for them last season.

Starting lineup: Michael Gordon, Nathan Stapleton, Ricky Leutele, Blake Ayshford, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Chris Heighington, Wade Graham. Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Matt Prior, Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagatese