LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a blazing battle against South Sydney, the junior Sharks proved their mettle on a scorching Saturday, leaving the respective coaches with a grin as they shape their squads for the upcoming 2024 season.
The conditions may have tested their stamina, but the young Sharks rose to the occasion, showing promise and leaving a lasting impression.
Despite the taxing heat, the Tarsha Gale, SG Ball, and Harold Matthews Development teams emerged victorious, displaying their skill and determination on the field.
The Lisa Fiaola and Harold Matthews Cup sides, although tasting defeat, showcased glimpses of potential that cannot be overlooked.
With heat bearing down on them, the girls valiantly fought it out in 20-minute thirds, while the boys battled it out in 15-minute quarters, giving the coaches ample opportunity to assess the depth of their squads.
Surprisingly, there were no shots at goal during the matches, as the focus was on fine-tuning combinations and providing players with a chance to shine rather than obsessing over the scoreboard.
Kicking off the proceedings were the Lisa Fiaola (under 17s) side, who displayed sheer determination in a nail-biting five-tries-to-four defeat.
Following suit, the Tarsha Gale squad (under 19s) turned heads with an impressive display, crossing the try line a staggering six times while conceding only four.
The boys, captained by the esteemed Paul Gallen, took center stage in the Harold Matthews Development category (under 16s), scoring four sublime tries to overcome their fierce opponents.
Gallen, the legendary Sharks player, expressed immense pride in his team's performance, attributing their success to their rigorous training regimen and singling out the exceptional play of his halves.