By ZAC WEST
AUSTRALIAN beaches up and down the East Coast have been stalked by “Noah’s” all summer. That’s rhyming slang for shark. Shark sightings, spooked surfers, attacks and heated debates over protection nets have made headlines across the nation.
Now as we approach the NRL season the shark debate continues in pubs, clubs and around the office water cooler. The question being thrown around this time: will the Cronulla Sharks attack the 2017 competition, becoming the first side to win a united competition since Brisbane in 1992-93?  The hunters have now become the hunted. The sharks don’t have a fin on their backs, they have a massive target and all 15 other teams are taking aim
Title defence is one of the great hurdles in the game; to try to find that magic potion, rekindle that mojo from the previous season and avoid the dreaded premiership hangover. Many have tried and failed. Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm went close, making the ‘Big Dance’ for four consecutive years, 2006-2009.
Some of the game’s best coaches have come up short in their quest to try and bottle some of last years’ magic, while at the same time evolving with the game and staying ahead of the pack. The Cronulla Sharks were once the brunt of many a joke regarding the dust and emptiness in the trophy cabinet and leaving the light on for Harold Holt. Now they have the Holy Grail sitting pride and place at 461 Captain Cook Drive. The test is now to back it up and complete the modern day impossible.
Let’s examine the key factors of The Shark Defence Debate
MISSING THE MENACE
Love him or loathe him, Michael Ennis was absolutely vital in Cronulla’s success. He provided leadership, a quality kicking game out of dummy-half, controlled the play, got under the skin of opponents and the opposition supporters, took pressure off his younger brigade and his experience in the high pressure matches of the season was invaluable. He’s a huge loss. Who will fill the void? New 22-year-old Wests Tigers signing Mania Cherrington looks to be a likely replacement. Cherrington was named in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year alongside new teammate Valentine Holmes.
BARBA SAGA
The electrifying Ben Barba has been to the penthouse and basement of professional sport and personal battles. Recently in the basement until French rugby union club Toulon sent him the keys to the penthouse. Is he coming back or staying in France? His papers looked to have been signed ‘NO RETURN’. The 2012 Dally M winner will be missed. However, Valentine Holmes is an absolute excitement machine and will benefit with more space and a licence to roam. A loss but lucky enough to have quality depth to cover (continued below)
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM
The health and wellbeing of all 16 team lists is obviously crucial if they are going to feature in September. It’s the key players who  Shane Flanagan and coaching staff will be desperate to keep on the field. Reigning Clive Churchill Medallist, 33-year-old Luke Lewis, and club captain, 35-year-old spiritual leader Paul Gallen, are both fighting father time on their wonderful careers and will require some TLC throughout the season with possible rests and modified training loads. Young gun Jackson Bird will be desperate to avoid some of the injuries that knocked him around in 2016. Wade Graham and James Maloney were two of Cronulla’s best in 2016 and their health is integral in the pursuit of a second title for Cronulla. Unfortunately, the season hasn’t kicked off well for the new fullback and Kangaroo representative Valentine Holmes suffering a hamstring injury during a trial against the Broncos.
BABY SHARKS
An injection of youth is always welcome to revitalise any team, especially those rosters weighted with stars that are on the sunny side of thirty. The Cronulla pups to keep a close eye on are last years Under 20s captain and hooker Jayden Brailey and 19-year-old centre Jesse Ramien. Brailey, a 20-year-old Cronulla junior ,was crowned the 2016 Holden Cup Player of the Year and will battle it out with new signing Mania Cherrington to fill the hooking role left by the retiring Ennis.
THE HANGOVER
The emotional rollercoaster of being the first team to secure the Holy Grail and deliver it to the Shire must have some affect on the player’s mentality. Is that same hunger, focus and determination there that drove them to their first title? Has some of that thirst been left at Northies from Mad Monday? My guess is that Gallen and Flanagan have set the standards high from the moment they hit the sand dunes at Kurnell over the summer.
TIMID T-REX
Former Origin and Kangaroo representative Tony Williams has made the move from the Bulldogs to the Sharks. Often criticised for his lack of involvement in games, with sheer size, speed, agility and ball playing skills that he has shown in glimpses over the years leaves fans frustrated. I like the fact the Sharks have signed him on a one-year contract. For the 28-year-old T-Rex, the ball is in his court and 2017 is perform or perish.
FIFITA FACTOR
There’s no doubting Andrew Fifita’s talent on the field. When is he on, he is an opposition coach’s nightmare. Fifita’s ability to isolate defenders, off load and evade would-be tacklers with footwork and strength is some of the best in the competition. Off-field incidents and controversies detracts from his playing ability. The club would be hoping and praying he keeps his nose clean in 2017.
ALL ABOARD THE BANDWAGON
Nothing breeds fans like success and the Sharks have gathered plenty recently. This will ensure crowd numbers are up, home games will deliver fortress like atmospheres and will drive corporate support, merchandise sales and sponsorship dollars up. The downside is the expectations that the fans now have since they have tasted the fruits of success. Name me any club, in any code in the world that wouldn’t want this problem.
AUCKLAND NINES & TRIAL FORM
Is trial form and what they showed over the ditch in the Nines going to give you any indication that they will defend their title? Nope. A 30-12 loss to Brisbane and some average form in the Nines doesn’t give the fans a great guide. A better indication should be the World Cup Challenge against Wigan Warriors on February 19.
I bet many beach loving, surfing stereotype Shire locals love the Discovery Channel’s ‘Shark Week’. I would be more than confident those same fans from Cronulla hope the 2017 NRL season isn’t Shark Weak.
MY VERDICT – The task for those before them has been a mountain too high to climb. History tells me it’s too tough and Cronulla will not go back-to-back. If you’re of the belief 2017 will be the the year of the Cronulla Shark title defence put your money where your mouth is at $13.
