{
  "id": 59374,
  "title": "Cronulla coach's belief grows as Sharks surge towards NRL finals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/cronulla-coachs-belief-grows-as-sharks-surge-towards-nrl-finals",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T21:32:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-03/nrl-cronulla-coach-full-of-confidence-in-surging-sharks/106988832"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has become increasingly confident in his team's ability as the Sharks have surged to the top of the NRL standings. The Sharks, currently in fourth place, have won nine of their last ten games, giving them a commanding lead. Cronulla has extended its own winning streak to five matches, and Fitzgibbon believes his faith in the team surpasses their own confidence. The Sharks' resurgence is attributed to the return of Nicho Hynes to his formative Dally M Medal-winning years and Braydon Trindall's career-best performance. With the club's 2016 grand final-winning hooker-turned-analyst, Michael Ennis, predicting a championship run, the Sharks are determined to secure a top-two spot in the finals. Despite facing tough competition from the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Sharks' skipper, Blayke Brailey, is not underestimating the opposition and remains focused on Sunday's crucial derby match.",
  "summary": "The Sharks are circling the top two as they chase a second NRL premiership a decade after their elusive first.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}