Back-to-back defensive slumps have Cronulla desperate for answers as they try to keep their chances of a top-two NRL finish alive against South Sydney.The Sharks go into Monday nights clash with the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium motivated by their desire to bounce back after a three-game winless run.However, as strong as their intent is to make a statement three weeks out from the finals, front of mind for coach Shane Flanagan is addressing their defensive frailties that have been exposed in the past two weeks.Their 30-14 loss to Canberra and 32-18 defeat at the hands of St George Illawarra are the two worst defensive performances the side has put in this season and the only times the team has conceded more than 30 points in a game.You need to defend well to play well and thats where we start tomorrow night, Flanagan said.You cant leak 30 points - if you do that against good sides youre not going to get there and if you do it in a semi-final youre going to get bailed out the other end.It represents a lapse for Flanagans side who have been the third best defensive team this year and conceded an average 16.9 points per game.After the Canberras win over Parramatta on Sunday, the Sharks hold a two-point advantage over the Raiders and must keeping winning to be assured of second spot and a home game in the first week of the semi-finals.Id like to think we can win three of them before the finals, Flanagan said.And thats about confidence going into the semi-finals, playing well, having faith in the bloke next to you.We need to get back to where we were a couple of weeks ago.Flanagan said skipper Paul Gallen was in doubt for Mondays game at ANZ Stadium because of a calf strain but his fellow veteran back-rower Luke Lewis was set to play despite missing training during the week because of a virus.Souths halfback Adam Reynolds is struggling to overcome a hamstring injury.STATS THAT MATTER* South Sydney have won just two of 11 home matches this season, including just two of eight at ANZ Stadium.* Cronulla have made the second most tackle busts (28.2 per game) and second most offloads (12 per game) in 2016.* Adam Reynolds has scored 835 points and needs two more to become South Sydneys third all-time leading points scorer.Source: Fox Sports Stats Mack Lee Hill Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Len Dawson Jersey . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/custom-john-alt-jersey-large-796n.html . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Abner Haynes Jersey . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Gary Spani Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. When the Big 12 Conference board of directors gave the go-ahead to investigate expansion candidates, the discussion quickly turned to how current members would most benefit. With fans from Ames to Austin, the debate almost immediately turned to how expansion helps from a recruiting standpoint, especially if the league adds Central Florida or Tulane, schools smack daab in the center of two of the best spots for high school football talent in the country.dddddddddddd.Having a Big 12 member school in Orlando and New Orleans to spread the leagues brand has to sell well with recruits, right?Think again. ' ' '