SHELLHARBOUR coach Abed Atallah holds few fears about an emotional letdown on Sunday, as they run the Group Seven gauntlet against their biggest premiership rivals.
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The Sharks became the first team to topple premiers Gerringong last weekend, but face another monumental task against rising power Jamberoo at Ron Costello Oval.
But they will have every motivation to fire, given “inspirational” captain Hans Schuster will celebrate his 250th game for the club.
Schuster has been on the entire rollercoaster ride with Shellharbour in the past decade, during their time as St George Illawarra’s NSW Cup feeder team and while they played in the Illawarra competition.
“Whenever anyone brings up Shellharbour, Hans is the first name that comes up,” Atallah said.
“He’s inspirational for us, he’s the first bloke to put his hand up when the going gets tough. A lot of captains lead with their actions – and he does that as well – but he’s also very good at talking the boys through plays and making the right decisions. Playing his 250th should be motivation enough for the boys to be up again for this game.”
While the Lions have a game in hand – a deferred fixture against struggling Berry – the competition has delivered the extraordinary situation of having four teams with a share of the competition lead.
Warilla are fifth, just one game back, with Port Kembla just another two points adrift.
The Blacks forced Jamberoo to surrender their Group Seven advantage last weekend, producing a stunning 20-18 upset at Kevin Walsh Oval. It all sets the stage for a fascinating battle on Sunday, after Shellharbour outlasted Gerringong 26-22 in a thriller, after leading 14-4, before conceding two tries after half-time.
“We’re pretty pleased we could fight it out,” Atallah said.
“We switched off after half-time and they fought back, but we didn’t panic.
“We’re playing semi-final games early really.
“It’s such a close competition now, so with a bye next week, this game will be huge for us.”
Adding to the significance of the occasion, veteran Shellharbour playmaker Adam Taylor will play his 350th game for the Sharks, just the third ever in the club’s rich 98-year history.
Port have the chance to claim another major scalp, when they tackle Gerringong on Saturday.
Warilla meet Kiama in another battle which is crucial to the finals picture.
- GROUP SEVEN
Round 11
Saturday (2.45pm)
WARILLA v KIAMA at Cec Glenholmes Oval
ALBION PARK-OAK FLATS v BERRY-SHOALHAVEN HEADS at Centenary Field
PORT KEMBLA v GERRINGONG at Noel Mulligan Oval
Sunday (2.45pm)
STINGRAYS SHELLHARBOUR v NOWRA BOMADERRY at Flinders Field
SHELLHARBOUR v JAMBEROO at Ron Costello Oval
MILTON-ULLADULLA bye