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SHARKS READY FOR LEICHHARDT TEST
Adam Lucius, Sportal
29/07/2010 4:05:06 PM
There is nothing in the NRL handbook that prepares a visiting player for a trip to Leichhardt Oval.
The West Tigers' boutique ground is like nothing else in the game, a suffocating atmosphere where players eyeball fans from close range and the noise can drown out the 747s that regularly fly overhead.
But the Sharks won't have to look too far if they want advice on how to handle the occasion ahead of the trip down Mary St on Saturday night.
Centre Dean Collis, hooker John Morris and winger Luke Covell are all ex-Tigers.
"The crowd is right on top of you, especially when the hill is packed," said Collis, who played at the Tigers from 2003-09, of the Leichhardt experience.
"I know the boys at the Tigers enjoy playing there as I did when I was with them.
"It's one of those grounds that brings the best out in players and I've been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks."
"I’ll be telling our guys to enjoy the experience and to take it in all in their stride."
There is only one way to quieten the Leichhardt faithful and that's to tame the Tigers.
It's a task that's been beyond Cronulla in recent years, the joint venture club enjoying a huge advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
"They've got strike weapons right across the field," Collis pointed out.
"With Robbie (Farah) and Benji (Marshall) out there, they can hurt you from anywhere on the park.
"We need to keep the ball in their end. Field position is going to be vital.
"It's going to be a big ask but we have shown that when we're on we can give teams a shake."
Coach Shane Flanagan will go in with the same side that took it to Canberra in his debut match before ultimately falling short last Saturday night.
The Sharks are desperate to give the new boss his first NRL win sooner rather than later.
"He's really taken to it. Shane's really picked the joint up and everything is good," Collis said.
Adam Lucius, Sportal
29/07/2010 4:05:06 PM
There is nothing in the NRL handbook that prepares a visiting player for a trip to Leichhardt Oval.
The West Tigers' boutique ground is like nothing else in the game, a suffocating atmosphere where players eyeball fans from close range and the noise can drown out the 747s that regularly fly overhead.
But the Sharks won't have to look too far if they want advice on how to handle the occasion ahead of the trip down Mary St on Saturday night.
Centre Dean Collis, hooker John Morris and winger Luke Covell are all ex-Tigers.
"The crowd is right on top of you, especially when the hill is packed," said Collis, who played at the Tigers from 2003-09, of the Leichhardt experience.
"I know the boys at the Tigers enjoy playing there as I did when I was with them.
"It's one of those grounds that brings the best out in players and I've been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks."
"I’ll be telling our guys to enjoy the experience and to take it in all in their stride."
There is only one way to quieten the Leichhardt faithful and that's to tame the Tigers.
It's a task that's been beyond Cronulla in recent years, the joint venture club enjoying a huge advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
"They've got strike weapons right across the field," Collis pointed out.
"With Robbie (Farah) and Benji (Marshall) out there, they can hurt you from anywhere on the park.
"We need to keep the ball in their end. Field position is going to be vital.
"It's going to be a big ask but we have shown that when we're on we can give teams a shake."
Coach Shane Flanagan will go in with the same side that took it to Canberra in his debut match before ultimately falling short last Saturday night.
The Sharks are desperate to give the new boss his first NRL win sooner rather than later.
"He's really taken to it. Shane's really picked the joint up and everything is good," Collis said.
