Matthew Johns: Issues behind South Sydney and Cronulla Sharks midseason form slumps

They were in an imperious run of form. They absolutely hammered the Bulldogs, then belted the Dolphins, followed it up defeating premiers Penrith, smashed the Broncos, then rolled the Storm.

Leading into the season I made the comment that Souths needed to change up aspects of their attack, and these victories highlighted new variations and shapes.

There was less reliance on Cody Walker as Lachlan Ilias took more and more possession on the right side.

THE DANGER GAME

After their big 28-12 victory over Melbourne, their next opponents appeared tricky. The Tigers had discovered a winning formula, building their attack around Apisai Koroisau, and allowing Luke Brooks to primarily run the football.

Leading into the match, the Tigers had snapped a seven-game losing streak to start the season, beating a full-strength Penrith 12-8 and then St George Illawarra 18-16.

Further evidence of their form is, a week after the Bunnies match, the Tigers smashed the Cowboys 66-18.

But back to this encounter, it looked to me to be exactly the kind of match Souths could lose.

The Bunnies so often drift into overconfidence, trusting their attacking talents too much. However, Souths’ performance that day was completely the opposite. The Tigers arrived with plenty of defensive energy, and a willingness to grind. But so did Souths, they played with premiership-winning patience.

They were more than happy to go set for set, not once did they try to ‘trick shot’ or attack their way out of the arm wrestle.

They led 6-0 at halftime, and didn’t cross the stripe again until the 73rd minute, until scoring again soon after, to win 20-0.

It was such an impressive victory because the Wests Tigers were able to dictate the style of the fight and the Bunnies were able to beat them at their own game.

The nil score showed a new-found defensive attitude.

THE FORM SLUMP

Since then however, Souths’ season, and their performances, have subsided.

They’ve won only two of their last eight, and that new found defensive focus has evaporated.

Sure, Latrell Mitchell’s calf injury has been a contributing factor, but the Bunnies are equipped enough to make adjustments and keep winning.

Penrith are the standout example, winning four out of the five games that key man, Nathan Cleary, missed through injury.

Defence is the major concern, but much of that can be attributed to attacking errors applying too much pressure to their own goal line.

Once again, there is an over-reliance on Walker. A favourite attacking sequence of Souths is working past the far-right post, opening the field up for Walker on the long side left.

THE SOLUTION

During Souths’ early season dominance, you’d often see Ilias overcall the play and take the attack down his short side, creating some beautiful opportunities for Keaon Koloamatangi and Campbell Graham.

Ilias needs to reassert his dominance to give the attack the variation it had previously.

Souths are a team who are capable of winning this competition from eighth spot and maybe that’s part of the problem. Their lack of defensive energy shows a lack of desperation of where they find themselves.

They can’t rely on the return of Mitchell to be the answer for their current shortcomings.

On Friday night, coach Jason Demetriou, will be keener for a defensive nil, than an attacking 50.

AND ANOTHER THING

Two-time premiership-winning coach Chris Anderson once said, “A coach has no idea what type of coach he is until his team is in a hole, and he has to find a way out of it.”

That’s where Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is at the moment.

The Sharks’ football has been bipolar, big wins followed by big losses, and vice-versa. But at no point have I thought Cronulla were on a successful path in 2023.

I don’t know what that game was against Manly last Sunday. Down 30-0 after halftime, the Sharks almost pulled off the greatest ever NRL comeback, falling short at 30-26. Both dressing rooms would’ve been glum at fulltime, Cronulla more so.

What’s incredible is that, if the Sharks had indeed pulled off the miracle, they’d be sitting fourth on the ladder, they’ve looked anything but a top-four team.

Season-ending injuries to Dale Finucane and Teig Wilton have also compounded that.

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM

Part of the problem may be, as poor as the Sharks have been at times, they’ve never hit rock bottom.

A taste of rock bottom was exactly what gave the Cowboys the motivation to have a serious self assessment.

Since the 66-18 loss to the Tigers at Leichardt, they haven’t just won six from seven, but are title contenders.

The other thing which got the Cowboys going is the performances of their key men in Origin.

I’ve written previously, Origin can make or break a clubs’ seasons. Origin was a kick in the guts for the Sharks because it was a kick in the guts to the their most important player, Nicho Hynes. No need to rehash it all.

It threw Hynes completely off balance and affected his performance.

In the second half against Manly there were signs his best form was on the way back, but the frustration was still there, for all to see.

He’s not the only one frustrated.

INTERNAL ISSUES

The team’s lack of defensive desire this season, particularly of late, must puzzle Fitzgibbon.

He made some big calls, dropping key men to try and stiffen up the left side defence. It didn’t work.

I don’t think Fitzgibbon will find the answer to the Sharks’ problems on videotape, it sits deeper in terms of want and desire of individuals.

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Fitzgibbon might be assessing what type of coach he needs to be. He’s always been a player’s man, whether it be as an assistant or head coach.

He builds relationships, has empathy, doesn’t rant, doesn’t rave, but something’s missing in his team.

If the answer isn’t on videotape, then it very well may be in himself.