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Why Sattler thinks the Sharks have fallen under the radar
Nicholas Quinlan • September 1st, 2025 3:29 pm
Despite having played inferior opponents, Scott Sattler thinks that the form that the Cronulla Sharks have found will help them to achieve success in finals.
Since their second bye for the season, the Sharks have won every game bar one to go, have gone from sitting 10th to sitting in fifth, which would be the fourth season in a row of finishing in the top six.
In these games, they have won by an average margin of just over 17 points, boosting their point differential from -4 to 91.
But questions have been raised about the quality of their opponents, with their last five games being against the bottom five sides and whether this could hinder their preparations.
However, Sattler rejects this notion, saying developing momentum is half the battle in being able to go deep into the finals.
“It doesn’t surprise me that they have flown under the radar a little bit,” Sattler told SEN 1170’s Mornings.
“You have mentioned some of the teams that they have played in recent weeks.
“And it’s not ideal when you are talking about testing yourself against the best in the comp. But as I said earlier, you can only do what’s in front of you. You can only play what’s in front of you.
“But also, the best part about it is if you can continue to rack up wins, it just builds confidence as a playing group.
“Sometimes, you can go on with a false identity of how good you are going, but it doesn’t matter. If your players are feeling as though they’re confident that they can win everything.
“Based on the wins they have had, you are halfway there as a coach. Then you’ve just got to fine-tune the rest.
“That’s the luxury that Craig Fitzgibbon and his coaching staff have got at the moment leading into the finals.”
The Sharks will face fellow top-eight side, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium this week.
Having already secured a finals game at home, Cronulla could go as high as fourth if Brisbane loses to Melbourne on Thursday and they win.
They could also fall as low as sixth should they lose, and the Warriors beat the Sea Eagles on Friday.
