Catching Up With Kieran Over Coffee About Cronulla (2025 Preliminary Final Edition!)

·51 min·5 clips

The Cronulla Sharks are heading to Melbourne as $7.50 outsiders for a grand final qualifier, sparking a debate about respect.

The episode opens with a sponsorship mention for the Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking before host Sam introduces the topic: the Cronulla Sharks' upcoming preliminary final against Melbourne. Guest Kieran Fraser joins to discuss the Sharks' journey to this point. They review the Sharks' recent victory over the Canberra Raiders, praising the second-half performance and defense despite first-half errors. The conversation shifts to the halves partnership between Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall, noting their improved synergy and kicking game. Kieran breaks down the Sharks' past finals performances, arguing that circumstances like injuries and lineup changes explain losses, not a mental block. He references specific games against the Cowboys, Roosters, and Panthers. The hosts discuss the media narrative around the Sharks, with players like Nicho Hynes speaking out about lack of respect. They note the team's current fitness advantage, with key players healthy compared to previous seasons. Attention turns to the Melbourne challenge, acknowledging the Sharks' poor historical record in Melbourne but dismissing it as irrelevant. They analyze Melbourne's potential lineup, including Cameron Munster's injury status, and stress the importance of ball control and handling high kicks. The hosts compare the Sharks' forward pack and bench to Melbourne's, expressing confidence in their physicality. Kieran shares his personal journey from disillusionment to belief in the team. They discuss coach Craig Fitzgibbon's impact, citing a specific moment with Billy Burns post-game. The episode concludes with a call for fan loyalty regardless of outcome and final sponsor messages.

As heard by us

Cronulla's belief gets a grounded run before Melbourne, shaped by fitness, defence and unfinished business.

Shark Cast Party frames Cronulla's preliminary-final week as a rare moment when belief has evidence behind it. The discussion keeps returning to the Sharks' best defensive stretch since round 19, a squad that finally looks close to whole, and the lift that comes when Nico,…

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Want the Sharks' preliminary-final confidence checked against their fitness, defensive surge and the games they admit they should have won?

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