After decades of being the punchline for jokes about not winning a premiership, Cronulla can set themselves up as a modern powerhouse if they return to the finals this season.
When they narrowly missed the finals last season, it was the first time since 2014 that they had finished among the also-rans. Only Melbourne, who have not missed the playoffs since their salary cap-sanctioned season of 2010, and the Roosters, once in nine years, have better records for finals qualification in recent years.
Cronulla have been able to reboot their 2016 title-winning roster relatively pain free over the past couple of seasons, with captain Wade Graham and bench prop the last remnants from the old republic.
And after Cronulla controversially cut ties with John Morris early last season, new coach Craig Fitzgibbon is walking into a club that’s again on the rise.
His arrival – after serving a lengthy apprenticeship at the Roosters and with NSW, waiting for the right opportunity – is the biggest change in the Sutherland Shire.
But he’s also joined by new recruits in Storm duo Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes, Dragons skipper Cameron McInnes and Roosters winger Matt Ikuvalu.
The Sharks were able to open the purse strings after shedding salary cap dead weight by punting Josh Dugan, dissolving Bronson Xerri’s deal due to his drugs ban and re-signing Matt Moylan on a significantly reduced wage.
Cronulla’s roster regeneration over the past few years has been top shelf. They’ve farewelled the stars of their sweet ‘16 season and replaced them with young prospects that they’ve mostly developed from within.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Fullback Will Kennedy, wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa, centre Jesse Ramien, halfback Braydon Trindall, hooker Blayke Brailey and forwards Toby Rudolf, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele came through the ranks to debut at the Sharks or came to the club before breaking into the NRL.
The gamble on youth is about to pay off with those players entering the prime of their careers in a side boosted by the star recruits with Graham the link between the two eras providing standard-setting leadership in the “do as I say and do or you’ll look like a weak link” style that gets results in any elite sporting environment.
The Sharks also have the benefit of returning to their spiritual home with PointsBet Stadium’s redevelopment complete after two seasons in which the team used Kogarah as its home base.
Nobody could have foreseen the global events of the past couple of years but if you could have chosen when you had to play home games on the road, these two seasons with limited or often no crowds would have been the time to do it.
While the future looks rosy there are still a range of issues for Fitzgibbon to solve.
Graham’s ongoing concussion dramas last season cast doubt over the veteran international’s playing future.
Hynes, Trindall and Moylan have their eyes set on a starting halves gig but one of them will end up disappointed on the bench or in the NSW Cup.
What’s new
Apart from the coach, the other main changes have also been significant – the addition of Storm duo Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane, plus Dragons captain Cameron McInnes gives Cronulla three top-class recruits.
Ex-Roosters winger Matt Ikuvalu and rugby sevens speedster Lachlan Miller add to the depth out wide which was an issue last season while the departures of Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend removes a lot of experience from their playmaking options but they have the halves options to cover for their absence.
Front-rower Aaron Woods has joined the Dragons while fellow veterans Josh Dugan and Will Chambers won’t be missed.
Star on the rise
Brayden Trindall could be a rough diamond for Cronulla – he’s had a couple of seasons to find his feet in the NRL and could develop into a long-term playmaker similar to Brisbane’s new No.7 Adam Reynolds was for Souths over the past decade. If Fitzgibbon puts him alongside a strong runner like Storm recruit Nicho Hynes in the halves, they could form a potent one-two punch long term.
Who’s under the pump
Matt Moylan had to eat a bit of humble pie and take a massive pay cut to earn another one-year deal at the Sharks – if he cannot overcome his ongoing soft-tissue injuries, it will be hard for Fitzgibbon to keep picking him in the first-choice 17.
Best-case scenario
They could rise to the fringe of the top four but probably lack the star power to take on the big dogs just yet. Their forward depth across the board is up there with the best packs in the NRL but they probably lack a dynamic scoring option or two out wide to be legitimate title contenders.
Worst-case scenario
They were unlucky to miss the finals in the last round of 2021 which ultimately came down to their inability to upset higher-ranked opponents. If that trend continues and they can’t settle on a halves combination, the Sharks could again be watching the playoffs from afar next year but they shouldn’t sink anywhere near wooden spoon territory.
Round 1 predicted team
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Connor Tracey
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Nicho Hynes
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Dale Finucane
11. Siosifa Talakai
12. Wade Graham
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Matt Moylan
15. Braden Hamlin-Uele
16. Briton Nikora
17. Teig Wilton
Others: Jayden Berrell, Andrew Fifita, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Matt Ikuvalu, Lachlan Miller, Luke Metcalf, Franklin Pele, Jensen Taumoepeau, Aiden Tolman, Jack Williams
mushi
Roar Guru
And then rip him down as a failure when he doesn't "meet expectations" (2021 Titans anyone)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That’s classic NRL media though. Hype up a unproven head coach as a genius and savour.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
He'll be around 3 SJ's and a Chad and half. That is, more than good value for a first season as a starting 6.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Hear, hear. Spot on. My point is that he deserves to be treated with respect. Some clown calling him a “bum” must be called out. The club signed him to a four-year contract and it will honour it, as it should. No matter what this season brings for Andrew, he will go down as a club legend. Rightly so. Cheers and Up Up!
JVGO
Guest
As you say no true Shark's fan begrudges Fifita his contract. Still willing and gives as good as he can. He almost died playing for us last year. He's done a ton more for the club as yet than Fitzy has. If Fitzy leaves the club a legacy as good as Fifita's I'll be happy.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Just to clarify I was responding to the keyboard warrior who called Fifita “a bum” – not you.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I wasn't replying to your comment, I was replying to a keyboard warrior called Hard Yards or Yarns or Soft Tissue - something like that, who wrote that Fifita was "a bum".
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I wasn't replying to your comment, I was replying to a keyboard warrior called Hard Yards or Yarns or Soft Tissue - something like that, who wrote that Fifita was "a bum".
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more mate. He's in the club's greatest ever side for a reason. Cheers.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
You have missed the point too. This is what I objected to: “Fifita is a bum.” I replied with this: “Fifita is a Cronulla legend who won us the grand final. A Cronulla man through and through. Clearly you are not a loyal or true fan to disrespect a legend of the club such as Fifita.” I am not debating his worth to the club – though it should, must and will honour his contract. What I am saying is that he deserves respect even from the usual, dime a dozen keyboard warriors who’ve never made a tackle in their life let alone score the winning try in a grand final but going over the top of FIVE Storm players. Got it now?
Briss
Roar Rookie
I may be laughed out or bullied for this comment but i can see the mighty sharks finishing as high as 5th this year, but if I put down my rose coloured glasses and force myself to be realistic the cronulla side will be locking down the last couple of spots in the top 8. But the future I believe is finally looking bright. Up up
Briss
Roar Rookie
Well said Redcliffefan. f***ing Fifita will forever be apart of that 2016 and should be respected sure he polarises people. But he was great to watch around 2016 when he was at the top of his game,His knees has let him down in recent years. Some people have got short memories
SharkMan
Guest
Not sure how you interpreted my comment as disrespectful, I agree with you that Fifita is a club legend. All I said was that I don't think he'll play first grade again and due to his injury history (6 games in 2021, 12 games in 2020), age, and form I stand by that comment. Father time is undefeated.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The Sharks won't want Hynes to replace Kennedy at FB who is developing nicely - unless he gets injured - so he will be playing in the halves where he only played 4 games last season. But he played his junior years there apparently. He looks more of a fullback to me.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
He started 18 times last year 14 at fullback and 4 in the halfs. No attack in the NRL scored more than he helped lead around. When he was taken out, they lost.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Looked a pretty realistic comment for mine - we are talking about how Fifita is playing now - not back in 2016. If he's on 800K that's a lot of money for a bloke who can't make the starting side
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
A lot of pressure on Hynes. At the Storm he was a back up full back, half or utility. He played some great games and obviously has a lot of ability but now he is expected to lead the attack around at the Sharks.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yep - Sharks really being talked up this season but they have a rookie coach - and not a lot of depth by the look of that squad. I think Fifita and Graham are just hanging on with their best years behind them. I like their backline - great wingers - Ramien is tough but makes a few mistakes - not sure Tracey is a centre but a good player. Would have thought Jack Williams was in their best 17.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I didn't say that - that's the ridiculous conclusion you've come to all on your own. What I said was: "Fifita is a Cronulla legend who won us the grand final. A Cronulla man through and through. Clearly you are not a loyal or true fan to disrespect a legend of the club such as Fifita." Got it now?
Blue
Guest
Had a zoom lens back in the 70s doing surf photography .. looks like one of my old shots where some bloke walked past with a bald head .. or is it a statement as to his superior brain power PS don't know why McInnes left St George he was the heart and soul of the team .. good luck to the Sharks they have a very good player