The Cronulla Sharks were a disappointment in 2022 - there is no other way to describe a season which at times showed so much promise.
A lack of fire to play 80 minutes on a weekly basis cost them dearly, with second-half fade-outs a regular occurrence, while their decision to go in a new direction on the coaching front just weeks into the season also clearly cost them.
But 2022 will see Craig Fitzgibbon arrive in his first head coaching job, alongside a host of star recruits and other depth options who will have the Sharks primed for a potential push back towards the top eight.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be straightforward for the Sharks, but their team on paper looks stronger than it did 12 months ago.
Here is their best.
Recruitment report
Ins: Jayden Berrell (2022), Kade Dykes (2022), Dale Finucane (Melbourne Storm, 2025), Nicho Hynes (Melbourne Storm, 2024), Matt Ikuvalu (Sydney Roosters, 2023), Jack Martin (2022), Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2025), Locky Miller (2023), Ryan Rivett (2022)
Outs: Will Chambers (rugby union), Josh Dugan (Retired), Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors), Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions), Billy Magoulias (Warrington Wolves), Chad Townsend (North Queensland Cowboys), Aaron Woods (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Re-signed: Mawene Hiroti (2022), William Kennedy (2023), Matt Moylan (2022), Toby Rudolf (2024), Siosifa Talakai (2023), Aiden Tolman (2022), Connor Tracey (2024), Braydon Trindall (2023)
Full squad
Jayden Berrell, Blayke Brailey, Andrew Fifita, Dale Finucane, Wade Graham, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Mawene Hiroti, Royce Hunt, Nicho Hynes, Matt Ikuvalu, Sione Katoa, William Kennedy, Cameron McInnes, Locky Miller, Matt Moylan, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Franklin Pele, Jesse Ramien, Toby Rudolf, Siosifa Talakai, Jenson Taumoepeau, Aiden Tolman, Connor Tracey, Braydon Trindall, Jack Williams, Teig Wilton
Who plays where?
Fullback
The signing of Nicho Hynes makes this an interesting debate, because he set the world on fire in Melbourne last year when replacing Ryan Papenhuyzen.
However, the Sharks have made it abundantly clear that Hynes will be a half in the Shire.
It’s hard to begrudge that decision either, given the immense form William Kennedy displayed during 2021. In what could only be described as a coming of age year for the youngster, he was voted the player of the year for the club, and in truth, it probably wasn’t even close.
He well and truly deserves to continue his tenure in the number one jersey, but with halves options a plenty, he is going to be under the pump the moment his form drops, particularly if Hynes doesn’t work out like he is expected to in the halves.
Wingers
The arrival of Matt Ikuvalu from the Sydney Roosters means there are too many first-grade starting quality wingers for the spots available in the Shire.
There is zero doubt, however, that Ronaldo Mulitalo is the first-picked winger. Picked in the Queensland Origin squad during 2021 before an eligibility problem ruined his debut, he is now in the New Zealand wider squad ahead of the World Cup at the end of the year.
His play on the wing saw him score 10 tries in 16 games before injury ended his season.
The other wing spot comes down to Ikuvalu or Sione Katoa, however, with Ikuvalu working under Fitzgibbon who was an assistant coach at the Roosters, and Katoa at times struggling defensively and with his ball-handling, it’s hard to see Ikuvalu not starting.
Centres
The centres are where the Sharks do appear a little short on options and depth heading into the new season, something which plagued them at times during 2021.
Jesse Ramien is the only recognisable centre in the top 30 and as a result will certainly be the first picked. A solid 2021 for Ramien needs to be matched though if Cronulla are to go to the next level.
Some have suggested Ikuvalu could play in the centres which would then allow Katoa to retain his spot, but that’d be an enormous gamble given Connor Tracey’s only chance at a starting 13 spot is in the centres and he did a serviceable job there last year.
Another full pre-season under his belt should see him primed and ready to take the spot on the edge, although youngster Jenson Taumoepeau could push for a run at some point this season, while Mawene Hiroti provides backup in all of the backline positions.
Halves
Given Nicho Hynes will be overlooked for the number one jumper, he slots straight into the number six for the men in black, white and blue.
Braydon Trindall shapes as his most likely halves partner for the season after impressing during the back end of 2021.
If Tracey doesn’t play in the centres then he could well slot into the halves, while Luke Metcalf is still on a development deal but will throw a spanner in the works either following a promotion or at the point development players are allowed to take to the field.
Matt Moylan is the potential X-Factor here, and while it’s hard to find a spot for him in the run-on side, it’s also difficult to imagine him playing no football this season.
Middle forwards
The Sharks are going to be playing small in the middle third, there is simply no doubting that.
The twin signings of Cameron McInnes and Dale Finucane overload their middle with smaller players, given Blayke Brailey will stop McInnes from playing hooker.
It means the tackling machine will take the number 13 jersey, which pushes Finucane into the front row.
Braden Hamlin-Uele, Toby Rudolf, Aiden Tolman and Andrew Fifita are the other props vying for a starting spot, while their depth appears strong with Royce Hunt and Franklin Pele also in the squad.
Given the size they are playing with, the final front-row spot has to go to Hamlin-Uele though, just due to the style and size he plays with.
Hooker
As mentioned, Blayke Brailey will be the hooker. There is no doubting that.
He has just been re-signed to a new contract and is clearly the Sharks’ future in the number nine jumper.
McInnes will provide backup in the case of injury striking, while Queensland Cup gun Jayden Berrell has also been brought to the club. It’s understood Rugby Sevens star Locky Miller also will be able to play either halves or hooker.
Second-row
The second row may be the easiest spots in the side to pick. Wade Graham is back from a long-term concussion problem and will slot straight into the run-on side.
The other spot is Briton Nikora’s. He played 22 games in 2021, scoring four tries and becoming one of the best edge defenders in the competition.
Siosifa Talakai and the impressive Teig Wilton provide the back up should problems strike throughout the season.
Interchange
Craig Fitzgibbon’s policy on playing a utility is yet to be seen, and as such, it’s difficult to predict whether the Sharks will choose to run with one or not.
In the modern game though, it seems impossible not too. If Locky Miller has a strong pre-season, he could surprise with a spot in Round 1, while Matt Moylan is also an option. We will take the more experienced Moylan at 14.
Siosifa Talakai is almost a certainty to be on the bench given his ability to play both centre and second-row.
The remaining two spots will go to bigger bodies. Toby Rudolf is certain to take one given his performances throughout the 2021 season, more often than not in the starting team at both lock and in the front row.
The remaining spot is likely to go to Aiden Tolman, but watch for Royce Hunt to stick his hand up throughout the season with strong reserve grade performances. Jack Williams too played plenty of football throughout 2021, and while the man who was once dubbed Paul Gallen’s replacement doesn’t have a spot in the best 17, he isn’t far away.
The best 17
1. William Kennedy
2. Matt Ikuvalu
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Connor Tracey
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Nicho Hynes
7. Braydon Trindall
8. Dale Finucane
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Braden Hamlin-Uele
11. Briton Nikora
12. Wade Graham
13. Cameron McInnes
Interchange
14. Matt Moylan
15. Siosifa Talakai
16. Toby Rudolf
17. Aiden Tolman
Other best 17s
Brisbane Broncos
Canberra Raiders
Canterbury Bulldogs
Gold Coast Titans
Manly Sea Eagles
Melbourne Storm
Newcastle Knights
New Zealand Warriors
North Queensland Cowboys
Parramatta Eels
Penrith Panthers
South Sydney Rabbitohs
No mention of the elephant in the room.
Royce Hunt and Jack Williams get a mention as being not far away from making the top 17. No mention of the $850K-per-season prop who managed 97 minutes from six starts off the bench last year.
There has been no talk of retiring him on medical grounds, but no hint that he will have the form and fitness to even make the bench. I despair. How does the club intend / expect to make the eight without its highest paid player contributing?