Dragons skipper Cameron McInnes is has joined the Cronulla Sharks from the 2022 season.

As first reported by The Daily Telegraph's David Riccio and Phil Rothfield on Tuesday morning, the 27-year old has signed a four-year deal with Cronulla worth around $2 million.

The club confirmed in a statement that McInnes had inked a deal with the club for four seasons.

The off-contract McInnes' future has been of much conjecture in recent times, with the Dragons looking to pry Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.

It has been reported that the Dragons were not keen to table him a new contract as they look to refine their salary cap, despite McInnes being their best player over the last two seasons.

He has been previously linked to Concord having met with former Souths coach and current Tigers mentor Michael Maguire before Christmas.

But the Sharks have reportedly swooped in and acquired him, with former coach Shane Flanagan believed to have been a big rap for him having worked as an assistant at the Red V in 2020.

“Cameron ticks all the boxes for us in that he has great attitude, he competes on every play and is an excellent defender. But not only is he respected for what he can do on the field, he is of outstanding character, is a thorough professional who looks after himself and we are adding someone to our squad who is a leader and will be a major asset to our young developing players,” Cronulla coach John Morris told sharks.com.au. 

With rising Shark Blayke Brailey the club's starting hooker, McInnes could be shifted to the lock position.

Morris was encouraged by McInnes' flexibility, believing he could play both lock and dummy half.

“He can play lock equally as well as he can play dummy half and that versatility, especially in the modern game, is very attractive to our club," he said.

"Cameron has been brought mainly to play lock and will complement Blayke Brailey at hooker in a potent 9 and 13 combination that should have all Sharks fans very excited.

“He’s a winner and we are very pleased he has agreed to join us in 2022.”

McInnes has played 130 NRL games since making his first-grade debut in 2014, originally crossing from South Sydney at the end of 2016.

He will inform his teammates this morning of his intention to sign with the arch rivals.

7 COMMENTS

  1. Good signing for the sharkies, play McInnes at lock and Brailey as starting hooker and have 4 forwards on the bench with Graham able to cover the halves and McInnes able to cover lock.

    8. Woods
    9. Brailey
    10. Rudolf
    11. Nikora
    12. Graham
    13. McInnes

    14. Talakai
    15. Fifita
    16. Hamlin Uele
    17. Williams/Hunt/Tolman/Wilton

    I think Sharks will suprise a few teams and be a top 6 contender

  2. Disappointed to lose McInnes but I guess in being circumspect it was always going to be difficult to fit both he and Hunt in over the next 3 years.

    Regardless its got me scratching my head how Sharks can afford him with the big $$ players they already have.
    Johnson, Moylan, Dugan, Fifita, Woods are all in the vicinity of $800k-$1m per season each. They have to be paying Graham, Rudolf, Hamlin Uele, Brailey, Ramien, Townsend and XERRI all minimum wage. Crazy how teams like Roosters, Souths and Sharks can do it??

  4. There are some really dumb people running the Dragons. I would have punted Hunt over McInnes and thrown in Norman for free. Great catch for the Sharks. Idiot move by the Dragons.

  5. Butters…
    A few of those players won’t be at Cronulla, at the end of the next season. That’s when McInnes will go there.
    Will they re-sign Moylan for one? I doubt it! That’s why they were one of the clubs attempting to buy Burton, for 2022 onwards. They’re going to have a good clean out.
    Sombrero clubs… Must include Roosters, South’s, Titans & perhaps Newcastle now . With their big backer. Not so sure about Cronulla?

  6. Absolutely Out-Of-Puff.
    Sure Hunt’s been pretty good for Queensland. However, a million per season, for your part time half & hooker?
    Norman, was always going to be a ‘sometimes good player’.

  7. Dragons don’t need “sometimes” players no matter how good on their best day. Dragons have too many “sometimes” players just like the Broncos. In my mind Hunt now has to play hooker full time.

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