4. Talking Points
Shaun Johnson Injury: Shaun Johnson was nothing short of incredible last year for the Sharks. He was at the root of almost everything positive that the club did on the field in 2020. He finished top of the try assist count despite playing five less games than those around him. He was Cronulla's best player by the length of a football field and then some.
When he went down with a serious injury, the Sharks season was done. He will miss anywhere from four to 10 weeks to start this season. He is brilliant but not a miracle worker. If the Sharks are 2-8 when he returns, forget it. If they're 6-4 then they're surely finals found.
His side need to be in a position of strength when he returns to be able to make full use of their megastar half.
Can their stars stay fit?: The big question that looms over the Sharks again in 2021 after being the major talking point last year. For the Sharks to be successful they need their best players on the park (obviously).
The unfortunate reality is that the Sharks highest paid players have all struggled with injuries over the past two months. This side is a far different proposition with a fully fit Moylan, Johnson, Fifita and Dugan than without. If those four play every game this year, I can't see a way they don't make the eight. If those four play less than half, then I can't see any way the Sharks do make the eight.
Different Pre-Season: All the talk coming out of the Sharks is that they've completely revamped their pre-season training. Last year it was all ball work. Everything was run with a ball in hand. The Sharks scored plenty of points but conceded just as many with the changes in rules affecting their forwards in a big way.
This year the Sharks have focused on running and fitness and look a million dollars. Almost every player has slimmed down, some drastically so. Will this provide them an edge or will the drop in size cost them? Andrew Fifita looks better than he has since 2017 which leads me to believe he's in for a huge season.
