Round 17: Cronulla v Warriors preview
Shaun Johnson still can't believe he is heading back to his boyhood club next year.
This week though he has his sights squarely set on putting another dent in his former club's finals prospects.
Cronulla blew a big opportunity to consolidate its spot in the top eight last week, failing to match the energy and intent of a motivated Brisbane side. The Sharks were coming off a four-game winning streak but the representative round came at the worst-possible time and a sense of comfort and security appeared to have crept in. Now Cronulla finds itself teetering in eight position with Newcastle and North Queensland gunning to steal its spot. This week's opponent - the Warriors - are only two points behind the Sharks.
Cronulla will once again be without five-eighth Matt Moylan but welcome back centre Will Chambers, who missed the Broncos game to be with his wife who was due to give birth.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of Reece Walsh while new recruit Matt Lodge also comes into the line-up. There are some notable omissions for the visitors though, with Chad Townsend (shoulder) denied the chance to face his former side. The biggest loss though is that of lock forward Tohu Harris (shoulder), forcing a reshuffle that sees Jazz Tevaga start.
Eliesa Katoa has been named despite failing to finish last week's loss to the Dragons with shoulder and ankle complaints. Speaking of that defeat, the Warriors have now not won since the 21st of May, seeing their top-eight hopes dwindle. Crucially those defeats have come to teams in the fight for a finals spot - the Cowboys, Knights and Dragons.
Cronulla is another one.
There is plenty of motivation for the Warriors this week as they come up against a Cronulla side that ended their finals hopes last year with a 22-14 Round 18 win.
Last meeting: Round 18 2020 - Sharks 22 Warriors 14
Who to watch: The battle of the fullbacks shapes as one of the most exciting on the park, pitting a rising star against a rapid improver.
For Cronulla, Will Kennedy has been a constant shining light in an inconsistent year, taking his game to another level. It is all about confidence for the 24-year-old, who first debuted two years ago. He has now spent two full seasons as Cronulla's first-choice fullback and the backing of the coaching staff has paid dividends, with Kennedy increasing his attacking output in all areas. Kennedy has drawn on his speed and evasiveness to average 34 more run metres this season along with 47 tackle busts and 12 linebreaks compared to 40 and six respectively last year. He has also one more linebreak assist and two fewer try assists. This is despite playing two fewer games this year and Kennedy is doing all this despite averaging just 27 touches a match. It ranks him right down the bottom of all regular starting fullbacks this season but speaks to how he is making every touch matter. 2021 has been all about efficiency for Kennedy.
While Kennedy has been much-improved, there is not much to compare against the breakout season of his opposite number this week. Reece Walsh has had an immediate impact at the Warriors and was so highly-rated and respected within the playing group that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moved positions to accommodate him. Walsh has played just seven games but already has seven try assists, eight linebreak assists, seven linebreaks and 29 tackle busts. He is also averaging 113 run metres, proving he is not just doing the fancy stuff but also growing increasingly confident putting his body on the line.
Two electric fullbacks at very different times in their career but both had made their mark in 2021.
The favourite: The Sharks are well backed to bounce back.
My tip: The inclusion of Walsh is big for the Warriors but the loss of Harris cannot be underestimated. He helps hold their middle together. Add Shaun Johnson's elite kicking game and you get the sense this will end in the home side's favour. Cronulla by 16.
