The Sharks made the finals last season and should be thereabouts again in 2024 – but have a major worry they need to overcome.
In the whole of last season, they managed just three wins against top eight sides – and two of them were against the 7th placed Roosters and 8th placed Raiders.
Craig Fitzgibbon‘s men were good at putting away poor sides, but clearly struggled against the good ones.
READ MORE: How ‘woke’ Aussies stomped on haters’ bizarre claim
READ MORE: India’s final act torched after World Cup ‘heartbreak’
READ MORE: ‘Insane’ Smith blunder that shook Aussies in final
That would indicate the club needs to recruit to strengthen their ranks – yet the Sharks haven’t signed a single ‘name’ player for 2024.
It’s never a good sign to me when a club doesn’t add to their roster – all clubs have weaknesses that need to be addressed.
The major one for the Sharks appears to find a consistent five-eighth to take the heat off playmaker Nicho Hynes.
Adding to that dilemma is news that veteran pivot Matt Moylan may be heading to Super League to finish his career, putting even more pressure on Hynes’ shoulders.
If Moylan does go, the Sharks will be without their two most experienced players from this year, with Wade Graham also gone, finally retiring after a distinguished career.
Hopefully the Sharks are saving their pennies for a bargain buy or two before the 2024 kickoff in March – otherwise they could struggle to find another finals place.
The club has some good kids coming through – but whether they are ready for a long campaign at NRL level remains to be seen and the club won’t want to gamble on them making the grade in their rookie seasons.
Predicted finish: 8th to 11th
2024 gains: Nil
2024 losses: Wade Graham (retired).