Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is looking forward to going back to Belmore more than most.
The Sharks travel to Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday, July 26, to take on fellow top-eight hopefuls Canterbury in a game that could go a long way to influencing the seasons of both teams.
Cronulla have named Ben Barba to return from a knee injury and Anthony Tupou has been included on an extended bench.
The Sharks coach told The Leader on Friday, July 24, he had fond and some more forgettable memories of Belmore from his junior and playing days. Flanagan said he expected a hostile environment on Sunday but one he hoped his players would revel in.
See the video of the Leader’s chat with Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan here:
Canterbury v Cronulla statistics
We all know people can use stats to prove just about anything but we have managed to dig up a couple regarding the Bulldogs and the Sharks at Belmore that will most likely have absolutely no effect on the game on Sunday
■ The last time Cronulla played at Belmore Sports Ground? March 10, 1997.
■ What was the score? Cronulla won 13-12 in front of almost 14,500 people.
■ What’s the Sharks record like at Belmore? The Sharks actually have won their last two games at Belmore despite the last one being more than 18 years ago. If Cronulla win on Sunday, it would be three on the trot at Belmore.
■ And before that? Well, the news isn’t as good. Before those two wins, the Sharks lost eight straight games at Belmore.
Are you backing the Sharks?
