Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says his NRL side is scarred and lacking confidence following their third successive loss.

The Sharks were, in Flanagan’s words “schooled” by a clinical Storm outfit at AAMI Park, with Melbourne running home 36-18 victors.

The home side crossed for six tries while the Sharks posted three – but they were never in the hunt and looked to have gone backwards after two close defeats.

Flanagan gave credit to the Storm, who he said were the best opposition they had faced.

The Sharks next take on the Titans at home, which the coach said was a crunch match.

“It’s becoming crucial now that we’ve got to go home and we’ve got to win,” Flanagan said.

“There’s no beating around the bush any more.”

Cronulla were expected to start the season strongly with the recruitment of former Dally M medallist Ben Barba and former Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis.

Flanagan said the newcomers were taking time to gel, and said those already at the club were still bearing the scars of a disastrous 2014 season.

Flanagan was unable to coach, suspended by ASADA following the 2013 supplements scandal, then interim coach Peter Sharp stepped down.

Star player Todd Carney was sacked and they collected the wooden spoon.

“They had a pretty tough year last year, so there’s a few scars there,” Flanagan said.

“We need to build a bit of confidence and with those new boys coming into the club we need a bit of cohesion and they are both missing at the moment.

“We’re working really hard and the group’s really solid so we’ll just keep chipping away.”

In one positive for the Sharks, Kangaroo Luke Lewis made a successful return following knee surgery in February, playing about 25 minutes against the Storm.