AFTER the frustrations of the past three seasons, the talented Ricky Leutele may have got his chance to shine — finally.
Certainly, the strong figure of Sonny Bill Williams and three other Sydney Roosters opponents can testify to that talent.
Leutele, who had idolised Michael Jordan growing up, beat them in one of the best individual tries of the season on Saturday night at Remondis Stadium.
It all happened in a flash, it seemed, with the game just 13 minutes old.
Leutele got the pass, and pulled out of Williams' bear-hug tackle ... no mean feat for a relatively smaller backline player.
Leutele then raced away and then pulled and twisted his way out of more tacklers before plunging over the tryline more than 50 metres upfield, to the roar of the crowd.
It was only Leutele's 14th NRL game in three years, and just his sixth try. But one many who were at the ground won't easily forget.
Since making his NRL debut with the Sharks as a 21-year-old, in late 2010, the former Logan Brothers Brisbane speedster has found himself on the injured list or in NSW Cup football more often than not.
Last season was a disaster, of course, following a leg operation which ruled him out for most of 2013, playing just three games.
He wasn't in the club's top 25 then, but was seen nevertheless as a potential squad member after a good off-season with the club.
But then disaster struck after just a handful of games.
'It was really disappointing but I worked hard on my fitness after last year and worked hard on the weights as well to be ready for 2014," Leutele said after his enforced "rest" last year.
His pre-season form and fitness forced coach Peter Sharp to reward him with a starting spot in the centres, moving last year's centre Jonathan Wright out to the wing. Leutele was also involved in his winger Saia Feki's spectacular long-range try in the 68th minute to tie up the scores 12-12 on Saturday.
A quick 20-metre tap by Wright caught the Roosters defence napping, with the quick interchange between Wright and Leutele providing Feki the space to get outside his opponent and beat the defence to the tryline.
It was only the late try to Shaun Kenny-Dowall — his second — which gave the Roosters the lead again which they held to the finish.
Now, the Remondis Stadium crowd get the chance to see Leutele's talent again when the Sharks play their second home game in a row: this Saturday afternoon from 3pm.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
CRONULLA Sharks had some standout performers despite Saturday night’s 24-18 loss, with captain Paul Gallen taking out the players’ player award and Ricky Leutele the coach’s award.
Chris Heighington, Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, Sosaia Feki and Michael Gordon were others to shine in a fast-paced game with few penalties.
Roosters 24 (Shaun Kenny-Dowell 2, Boyd Cordner, James Maloney tries; Maloney 4 goals) d Sharks 18 ( Ricky Leutele, Wade Graham, Sosaia Feki tries; Michael Gordon 3 goals). Crowd: 12,163.
LAUGHS BY THE GALLEN
AFTER six weeks on the sideline with his leg injury, Sharks and NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen shocked his players, training staff and coaches by declaring himself fit to play — for the full 80 minutes.
NSW CUP WIN
CRONULLA Sharks NSW Cup side, with more than half their squad boasting first grade experience, proved too hot for an understrength Newtown side in the early game at Remondis Stadium.
The return of Nathan Gardner was a big boost, scoring one try and getting involved in a number of the other eight tries from fullback. Manly recruit Jacob Gagan top scored with a hat-trick. Winger Nathan Stapleton also scored and kicked five goals. The Sharks under 20s side lost their game 44-24 after leading midway through the second half.
ROOSTERS 24 (Shaun Kenny-Dowall 2, Jame Maloney, Boyd Cordner tries; Maloney 4 goals) d SHARKS 18 (Rickey Leutele, Wade Graham, Sosaia Feki tries; Michael Gordon 3 goals). Crowd at Remondis Stadium: 12,163.