Fitzgibbon Determined to End Sharks' Finals Slump
The pressure is on for Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon as he looks to end the club's 14-year finals drought. The Sharks have been a formidable force in the regular season, consistently finishing high up on the ladder. However, their inability to translate that success into finals wins has become a frustrating trend.
Fitzgibbon, a former premiership-winning captain with the Sydney Roosters, understands the weight of expectation on his shoulders. "We've been close, but we haven't been able to get over the line," he said. "The players are aware of the challenge ahead, and we're all determined to change our finals fortunes this year."
The Sharks' recent finals history is littered with disappointment. Their last finals win came in 2009, when they defeated the Parramatta Eels in a thrilling encounter. Since then, they have been eliminated in the first week of the finals on multiple occasions, leaving fans frustrated and yearning for a return to the grand final.
Fitzgibbon's focus is on creating a winning mentality within the squad. He believes the team's strong performances throughout the regular season have instilled a sense of belief, but the pressure of finals football is a different beast altogether. "We need to be mentally prepared to handle the intensity and the pressure," he said. "It's all about focusing on the process and executing our game plan."
The Sharks have a talented roster, with stars like Nicho Hynes, Bronson Xerri, and Dale Finucane leading the way. However, Fitzgibbon knows that talent alone isn't enough to guarantee success in the finals. "We need to be disciplined, we need to be smart, and we need to be resilient," he said. "If we can do those things, then we'll give ourselves every chance of making a deep run."
The upcoming finals series will be a major test for Fitzgibbon and his team. However, the coach remains confident in their ability to overcome the challenge and finally break the finals curse. "We're ready for the fight," he said. "We're determined to make a statement and show everyone what we're capable of."
Here are some key takeaways:
- The Cronulla Sharks are determined to end their finals drought.
- Coach Craig Fitzgibbon is focused on creating a winning mentality within the squad.
- The Sharks have a talented roster, but they need to be disciplined and resilient.
- The upcoming finals series will be a major test for the Sharks.
It remains to be seen whether Fitzgibbon can deliver on his promise and lead the Sharks to finals glory. However, one thing is for sure: the team is ready for the fight, and their fans are eagerly anticipating a deep run into the finals.
