Littler backs it up for Sharks

It’s been a big year for Sutherland Sharks’ new recruit Nick Littler who joined the Shire based club from the South Coast Wolves.
“Coming to Sutherland was a wrench and obviously it’s been a lot different to training with the Wolves in that we do a lot more work with the ball so that makes it different if not exactly harder.
“Those differences are obviously not what I am used to but the team dynamic here is great and when I arrived I was made to feel very welcome and fitted in straight away which is unbelievable and there is a fantastic atmosphere in the shed and I’m really enjoying my football at the Sharks.”
Sutherland sat second on the table at time of writing which is a position Littler would not have been used to at this point in his career.
“It’s true to say that because the best position I had with the Wolves was finishing in the Top Five last season but we ended up going out in the first round of the semi-finals.
“It’s great to be sitting up there and flying high but we are only halfway through the season and need to carry that momentum through to the finish. We’ve only had the one defeat to date and it was hard to cop two late goals away from home but otherwise, so far, it’s going well.”
The high pressure and tempo adopted by the Sharks is another factor the young defender has had to adapt to.
“I like the style played here, it means you are always getting touches on the ball and that is something I really enjoy.
“It teaches you to think quicker and react faster to the point where you are reading the play better and already thinking about where you are going to play the ball before you receive it and you always need to improve your game.”
Captain of the Wolves U/18 side when they won the Grand Final, there are not too many other honours to speak of for the lad who has played all his previous football in the Illawarra region.
“I did make my first grade debut for the Wolves when I was  17-years old, in fact from U/11’s to U/18’s with South Coast, and also at the Central Coast Mariners Youth a couple of years ago so I always think my honours are ahead of me and the time to think about them is after you retire.
“All players want to be successful through their careers and I am no different so I am looking to win trophy’s with Sutherland.”
His focus remains grounded, especially at a now ‘more fancied’ club for the Premiership, so has this added any extra pressure on Littler.
“I don’t think there is any extra pressure on me as such but you need to perform week-in and week-out at a club like this to keep your position as there is always someone pushing for a starting spot and that gives a little extra impetus to do well as you never know how long it will be before you get back into the side.
“I feel like I’ve been able to fit in quite well and I’m happy to be playing first team football and I want to play at the highest level I can and hopefully we can win the competition this season.”
The lanky centre-back will need to be on his toes this weekend as he confronts his former club, South Coast Wolves, on Saturday night at Seymour Shaw park in what could prove a true measure of where both sides sit in the pecking order this year.
-By Micky Brock