Sharks keen to start with a win
The Sharks left Sydney yesterday for the NSW country town of Parkes for their first hit out for 2007.
A squad made up primarily of young up and comers and the Sharks new recruits, the team to face the Eels will take on a new look as the Sharks take to the field for their initial outing under the Ricky Stuart 'regime'.
In the absence of David Simmons, Dustin Cooper will stake a claim for the number one jersey, with Simmons likely to miss at least one round of the competition proper as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery.
In the halves, Brett Seymour and Brett Kearney have the chance to show their wares, with the incumbent half-five eighth combination of Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes not making the trip to Parkes for the opening trial match. Both are expected to play limited game time in the final two trials.
And in the forwards, Ben Ross, after missing the majority of 2006 with a knee injury, will play his first game since round eight last year when he tackles the Eels in Parkes. Coach Stuart has said he will give Ross extensive game time in a bid to rebuild his timing and confidence.
The Sharks play the Eels at Pioneer Oval in Parkes, with the match kicking off on Saturday night at 6.00pm.
The Sharks team, with a likely run-on side, for Saturday night;
Dustin Cooper, Matt Raftery, Dane Nielsen, Travis Robinson, Fraser Anderson, Brett Seymour, Brett Kearney, Ben Ross, Isaac De Gois, Jacob Selmes, Phil Leuluai, Paul Stephenson, Cameron Ciraldo. Interchange - Henry Perenara, Misi Taulapapa, Scott Porter, Michael Greenfield, Sitaleki Timani, Brett Finn, Dayne Weston, Wendall Wilson and Bryson Goodwin.
