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Why Johns is impressed with Cronulla's approach in finals
Nicholas Quinlan • September 19th, 2025 2:38 pm
Matty Johns and Denan Kemp think that Cronulla is capable of pulling an upset win against the Canberra Raiders.
Since their second bye in Round 18, Cronulla have become one of the most in-form sides in the competition, having finished the season winning seven of their last eight games.
And that form has translated into the finals, as they beat the Roosters in the elimination final to make the second week of finals.
With this hot streak, Johns believes that this is the best the Sharks have looked under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, noting that he has liked their approach for this year's final series.
“They are playing their best football they have under the tenure of Craig Fitzgibbon,” he said on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.
“But apart from that, they are talking it up, which I love.
“Like Ronaldo (Mulitalo) talked it up before the game (against the Roosters) and went out and delivered.
“Nicho this week has been right up on his toes. They are in a really aggressive frame of mind.
Denan Kemp was in agreement with Johns, saying that it appears that they have slightly shredded their tag of not delivering in big games.
“I reckon they are quietly confident,” Kemp said.
“The Sharks have always got this knock (on them) of getting rattled in big games.
“But I don’t think that's the case as much anymore.
“They've matured over the last few years.”
The Sharks will travel to the nation's capital to take on the Raiders on Saturday night at GIO Stadium.
The kick-off will take place at 7:50pm AEST, with SEN’s coverage of the match beginning at 7pm, available through the SEN app and its radio network.
