Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has reportedly held an honesty session this week in a bid to get his side back on track after throwing away a 28-12 lead to the Broncos to lose 34-28 last week.
The Sharks sit sixth on the ladder, which is not exactly setting off alarm bells, however there is concern around their defence after conceding on average 33.5 points per game in their last four games.
Five-eighth Braydon Trindall told the media on Wednesday that there had been “some really tough conversations” off the back of the Broncos loss, but according to News Corp’s Dave Riccio it was more than just a conversation — a “brutal” honesty session was organised by the coach.
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“This (Wednesday) morning it was held down at Shark Park and I must say across Craig Fitzgibbon’s tenure at the Sharks, I’ve certainly heard of no meeting of the sorts,” Riccio said on NRL 360.
“He’s a straight-shooter Fitz but my understanding is this one was as about as brutal as it’s got under Fitzy’s reign.
“He spoke about discipline, both with the ball and without the ball — seven penalties, 40-odd missed tackles against the Broncos — and defence is a massive focus.
“You have to remember that Fitzgibbon is renowned as a defensive coach and the Sharks’ defence has been in reverse in recent weeks.
“First year under Fitzgibbon, 15 points on average conceded, 21 the following season, a strong year last year with 18 points conceded on average and now 23 points (conceded on average).
“It’s just not the standards of what Craig Fitzgibbon is asking for. Clearly this is a huge game now against the Storm on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne — they have to respond.”
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Riccio’s revelation came after Trindall faced reporters earlier in the day and defended his halves partner Nicho Hynes when questioned about the pressure mounting on the star No.7.
“When you lose games it usually falls on the halves so we just need to get back to the drawing board and prepare well for this week. I think once we play a good game those rumours will go out the window so we need to step up this week,” he said.
“There was some really tough conversations… he’s our marquee player and all the attention usually goes on him but it’s all our fault and we’ll move forward this week.
“It’s good to have those conversations and have a look at what we need to do this week, there were some really tough conversations but we’ll need it and it’s going to put us in a better position going forward this week.”
After finishing in the top four last year and then bolstering their park with Addin Fonua-Blake, the Sharks were in the premiership contenders conversation coming into this season. But they’ve fallen short of expectations.
They face the Storm this week before the bye, then host the Dolphins and Roosters at home.
