MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Cronulla can beat Melbourne in NRL preliminary final but should stop whingeing at media

I felt a little uneasy – even a touch mad – when I heard some Cronulla players were calling out journos in the dressing room and scolding them for not giving the Sharks due respect before the week one finals win over the Roosters.

A few of them doubled down during the week leading into the Canberra game, demanding they be taken seriously as a premiership contender.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

I’ve given it to a few media types over the years when I’ve disagreed with something that was written or said on air.

But my old coach Bob Fulton used to say you earn respect through your actions, you don’t ask for it.

The Sharks were quite rightly pegged as finals chokers before the play-offs began, based purely and simply on their September form over several years.

Even back when I was playing, Cronulla were known to fold in big games until finally getting the job done in 2016.

But that win over Canberra on Saturday night – on the back of the Roosters victory – has people looking at the Shire boys through a different lens.

They are playing the type of footy that wins premierships and earns the respect they were after.

The Sharks have a tough set of hombres in the forwards, led by one of my favourites in Addin Fonua-Blake.

With AFB setting the platform, the likes of Toby Rudolf, Tom Hazleton, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Sifa Talakai keep pouring through you.

They have some real goers in the backrow, a clever hooker, a smart halves combo that improves with every game and the best metre-eating back five in the NRL.

And in Craig Fitzgbbon they have a coach who did it all as a player and has his team humming at the right end of the year.

I love how the Sharks were able to absorb a heap of pressure against the Raiders and not flinch.

They then went up the other end and went bang, bang to take a halftime lead.

With the amount of ball and territory Canberra enjoyed, they should have been at least 12 points ahead.

I wasn’t surprised they were eventually blown away.

Cronulla’s kicking game killed Canberra.

The Green Machine was stuck in neutral for most of the second half as Cronulla’s racking kicks pinned them in their own 10.

In stark contrast, the Raiders didn’t have anyone kicking the air out of the ball so the visitors were starting their sets 30 and 40m out from their line.

It was a great game plan magnificently executed by Fitzy’s men.

So, the big question now is: Can they go to Melbourne and do a Storm on the Storm in Friday night’s preliminary final?

From what I’ve seen the last two weeks, I say an emphatic yes.

Momentum is a huge thing at this time of the year, and they have it in spades.

You feel bulletproof and ready to take on the world.

As to who wins the comp from here, it comes down to who has the best spine.

At the Sharks it’s Will Kennedy, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes and Blayke Brailey.

The Storm boast Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant.

On the other side of the prelim final draw, we have Penrith’s Dylan Edwards, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary and Mitch Kenny.

The Broncos’ spine has been unsettled due to injury, but we know Reece Walsh will light things up at fullback with Ben Hunt in the halves (possibly alongside Adam Reynolds) and Corey Paix at 9.

Looking at those four line-ups, I think Penrith and Melbourne have the advantage and go into the prelim finals as warm favourites.

Way back in February I tipped those two clubs to play the last game of the season and I’m not about to drop off now.

But the Sharks and Broncos won’t die wondering.

It’s going to be a fantastic weekend of footy.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

As an old Sea Eagle, the mixed messages coming out of Brookvale over the future of fullback Tommy Trbojevic are concerning.

One minute we read a deal is done and Turbo will be garaged at the club for a further three years beyond his current deal.

That would take him through to 2029 and all but guarantee he finishes a one-club man.

The next thing we hear the board has supposedly reduced its original offer and it’s $300k short of what Tommy thought he was getting.

I’m not privy to contract negotiations and it’s hard to sort fact from fiction sometimes, but I don’t understand how the two parties can be so far apart.

What I do know is this impasse could allow Trbojevic to go to market from November 1 and see what else is out there.

Turbo is the heart and soul of the club and a fan favourite.

After all the dramas with Daly Cherry-Evans this year, it would be a PR disaster if he’s allowed to walk.

Losing a bloke who didn’t want to be there is one thing, but turning your back on TT will unleash hell on the club’s bosses.

There’s an old saying in rugby league that winning starts in the front office.

Manly fans will be hoping some strong leadership is shown to ensure the club is not dragged into another season-destroying soap opera.