THE brave and hearty souls who turned out to watch Cronulla Sharks defeat Souths 18-10 on Monday night at Remondis Stadium deserve a free ticket to the next home game.
The 3978 fans had to endure torrential rain and gale force winds.
Spare a thought for Leader photographer John Veage who took many amazing photos in those blizzard-like conditions, which were published in the print editions on Tuesday and online.
The NRL officials offered both clubs the option of cancelling the game.
But the coaches and players said, "Let us play" and they did.
The standard and skill shown by the players was outstanding.
There were few errors and dropped balls.
The Sharks made it three straight victories and they are building.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan and his men kept their nerve and inside the camp they have the mental strength and belief they would turn things around after losing their first four games.
In the Dragons Den, coach Paul McGregor and the team have shown defensive steel and mental toughness to overcome a sluggish start when they lost their opening two games and have strung five wins together.
The Big Red V defensive wall is thwarting and frustrating rival teams.
It's a long season in the NRL and there are more twists and turns ahead than on a winding road.
The Sharks and Dragons have squads that can make the top eight.
There have been interesting results in the first seven rounds of this season.
Melbourne, who continue to defy gravity each year, retaining a core group of top players and blending them with new faces each year, lead the premiership.
Brisbane, like all Wayne Bennett-coached teams, are always hard to beat and turn up to play each week.
Manly sit at the bottom of the competition and are struggling.
Premiers Souths have hit a lean patch, losing three of their past four.
The Roosters, the Dragons' opponents on Anzac Day, this Saturday, have lost three straight.
The Cowboys, my tip at the start of the year to win the title, after three straight losses have won four in a row and are riding high.
There is a lot more water to flow under the bridge in this season.
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Can Sharks and Dragons make NRL top eight in 2015?
