The Sharks once again hosted a finals clash under second-year coach Craig Fitzgibbon, but the club are still chasing their first postseason win since 2018.
The form of 2022 Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes was under constant scrutiny amid his tumultuous Origin debut and he bounced back to finish the regular season well.
But Cronulla were never considered a genuine premiership threat and got eliminated in week one of finals by the Roosters.
Read on for the Cronulla Sharks State of Play.
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Madge pleas for buy in at first presser | 15:56
2023 FINISH: 6th (finals week one)
COACH: Craig Fitzgibbon
Fitzgibbon was one of the most sought-after coaches in recent NRL history after winning three premierships at the Roosters as an assistant.
The former Kangaroos and Blues forward joined the Sharks ahead of the 2022 season and delivered on the hype with a second-placed finish.
But his side was knocked out of the finals in straight sets in 2022 and this year their sixth-placed finish was followed by another disappointing finals campaign.
Fitzgibbon and his father Allan now both hold 0-3 records in finals with Cronulla. Fitzgibbon Sr lost his three finals games as the Sharks coach in 1988 and 1989.
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SQUAD: Billy Burns (2024), Blayke Brailey (2026), Braden Hamlin-Uele (2024), Braydon Trindall (2025), Briton Nikora (2025), Cameron McInnes (2025), Dale Finucane (2025), Daniel Atkinson (2025), Jack Williams (2024), Jayden Berrell (2024), Jesse Colquhoun (2024), Jesse Ramien (2026), Kade Dykes (2025), Kayal Iro (2024), Matthew Moylan (2024), Nicho Hynes (2029), Niwhai Puru (2024), Oregon Kaufusi (2024, MO 2025), Ronaldo Mulitalo (2025), Royce Hunt (2025), Sione Katoa (2026), Siosifa Talakai (2026), Siteni Taukamo (2024), Teig Wilton (2025), Thomas Hazelton (2024, CO 2025), Toby Rudolf (2024), William Kennedy (2025)
PLAYERS IN: Billy Burns (Dragons)
PLAYERS OUT: Wade Graham (retired), Jensen Taumoepeau (unsigned)
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Ponga ready to recreate Dally M form | 01:05
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Beating top eight sides with their defence
Despite finishing sixth on the ladder with a 14-10 record in 2023, the knock on the Sharks is they’re flat-track bullies who struggle against quality opposition.
The Sharks are one of the best attacking sides in the NRL, averaging 25.7 points per game in 2023, but their defence let them down against the top sides.
Cronulla conceded 17.1 points per game against bottom-eight sides but that number jumped to 25.8 points per game against finals-bound teams.
Cronulla only had 10 games this year against sides that finished in the top eight, and they lost seven of them.
Fitzgibbon’s men then lost their elimination final at home against an understrength Roosters, taking their record to 0-3 in the past two finals series.
The Sharks have missed finals just once since 2015 but they haven’t tasted victory in the postseason since 2018.
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Bulldogs land Sharks utility Tracey | 00:26
WHO THEY SHOULD/COULD SIGN: A backrower
The retirement of Wade Graham has left a hole in the Sharks’ backrow, but there are some handy replacement options available from 2025.
Cowboys youngster Heilum Luki is tipped for a bright future and the 22-year-old has already represented Samoa.
Nat Butcher signs three-year extension | 00:25
PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Nicho Hynes
Hynes came from the clouds to win the 2022 Dally M Medal with the highest totals (38 votes) in the award’s 43-year history.
The classy No. 7 backed it up with another podium finish at the awards this year, while also making his Blues and Kangaroos debuts.
But another failed finals series – losing in week one 12 months after a straight sets exit – has Hynes back under the microscope heading into 2024.
The playmaker needs to prove he can lead his side to victory against the top teams and deliver in September.
Hynes is signed until the of 2029 on a deal with over $1 million per season and it’s time to earn his keep by producing a finals victory.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Jesse Colquhoun
This former Australian Schoolboys backrower made his NRL debut in 2022 and finished 2023 as a mainstay on the Sharks’ bench.
Colquhoun earned his first NRL start against the Sea Eagles in Round 22 during a run of six games he played in after Round 19, including the elimination final against the Roosters.
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