Stats expose Sharks' finals struggles, Hynes opened Pandora's Box

Nicho Hynes may have done himself more harm than good after complaining about an apparent “lack of respect” for the Sharks, according to Andrew Voss.

The Cronulla star had a crack at the media after his side beat the Roosters to secure a spot in the elimination final against the Raiders this weekend, suggesting the narrative around the club’s success is always negative.

The Sharks produced one of the best games of the season to end the Roosters’ campaign last weekend and they will go into the Canberra clash very much as the underdogs.

“It’s just that no one ever gives us a chance,” Hynes said. “No one speaks about us. It’s always anyone else’s fault why we beat them or if they’re injured or their players are missing or they didn’t play well.

“We’ve been in the finals the last four years in a row now and still no one gives us a chance. We feel it and I just don’t think we ever get any respect.”

While true that the Sharks have been in finals for the last four years, they have fallen at the first hurdle on every occasion.

In fact, before beating the Roosters they had lost seven consecutive week one finals and since winning the Premiership in 2016, the club has lost 10 out of 12 finals matches.

Voss suggests Hynes would have done better to say nothing.

“Is he feeling like it’s a personal attack on him when the Sharks are criticised?” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“I’m not piling on Nicho, what he says doesn’t help I think it adds to the pressure.

“Cronulla going into last weekend – well done to them they did well – but before that they had lost 7 consecutive week one finals.

"They have made the finals 12 of the last 14 season but since winning in 2016 they had lost 10 of 12 finals matches. That is a fair body of evidence of baggage that you’re not getting the job done.

“All they have done is lose finals. If we quote those stats are we being disrespectful?

“We have to talk about the record. He’s opened Pandora’s Box.

“I reckon he should have said ‘I don’t think we have earned respect but that’s changing’.

“More performances like the last two weeks, he could have subtly said he doesn’t think they’re getting respect. Make your point and own it. Accept there is a reason for the criticism.”

Sharks hero Toby Rudolf meanwhile says the club is sick of losing as they look to turn their finals record around.

Rudolf, who scored the match-winning try against the Roosters, said their ability to prove the doubters wrong is spurring them on.

“We’re just sick of losing,” Rudolf said. “We’re sick of sitting around and saying next year. Next year’s today, next year is next week, next year is right now.

“That’s the difference. We’re mature now as a team, we had the eight blokes from Newtown in 2019 (NSW Cup premiers) that are still together and we’re over it.