Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Coach frustrated by penalty tally as Sharks bow out
Melissa Woods, AAP • September 27th, 2025 8:10 am
It was a tough night for the Sharks at AAMI Park - but their coach was proud of their efforts | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has cut a frustrated figure after Cronulla's heartbreaking successive preliminary final loss, but his dismay wasn't over his team's performance.
For the second straight year, the Sharks bowed out in the grand final qualifier, gallant 22-14 losers to Melbourne in their Friday night clash at AAMI Park.
But the Sharks mentor believed his team were much improved on the side that were eliminated in a 20-point loss to Penrith in 2024.
Sione Katoa ensured the Sharks had their moments but ultimately they were in vain | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Finishing fifth on the ladder, they took out minor premiers Canberra en route to the preliminary showdown, and showed some steel in defence but were unable to overhaul a 16-8 halftime deficit.
"I'll tell you this, we're in a better position than we've ever been. We're not going away and we're not going to get worse," Fitzgibbon said.
"We're a better side now. We didn't play very well tonight.
"We were brave. It was pretty hard to fault our effort off the back of a couple of big weeks.
"There's only two teams that get there and we fell short again but it's not through a lack of effort or attitude."
What did get the mild-mannered coach fired up were the 18 penalties - nine per team - blown by referee Ashley Klein, with 11 coming in the first half alone.
While accepting the better team won on the night, Fitzgibbon said the constant whistle-blowing affected the spectacle of the game as well as his team's ability to get a roll-on.
"I am not sooking about the ref, Melbourne were the better side hands down," Fitzgibbon said.
"But the first half was 22 minutes of ball in play. What are we doing for a prelim? What do the fans want? You want to see ball in play.
"But the better side won, so I can't complain about it.
"Some of those calls were warranted on us, but it's a lot for this time of year, for our game."
Fitzgibbon believed his team could still improve to gain "ultimate respect" by winning a premiership.
"I think we're a really good side that just haven't quite converted to becoming a great side at the moment and that's what these pressure moments and situations are about.
"We haven't earned the ultimate respect - you don't do it unless you win the comp.
"It's not up for debate."
The Sharks coach was also confident his side will be able to join the elite teams in the NRL in years to come.
"The Storm understand what it means to be a great side. I think we are a really good side who haven't converted to become a great side," he said.
"That's what these pressure moments and situations are about. We just missed the start and their freshness and physicality got the better of us."
Sam's outrageous Broncos v Panthers prediction | Running It Straight
