The Cronulla Sharks have been a consistent picture of almost, but not quite good enough in recent seasons.
That trend continued in 2023 when the side found themselves falling short in Week 1 of the finals despite playing against a horrendously undermanned Sydney Roosters outfit.
That came after the year before where they finished in the top four on the back of Nicho Hynes' brilliance, but were still bounced out of the finals in straight sets.
The side clearly needs things to change if they want to hit the next level, and free agency ahead of 2025 could give them the opportunity to do just that.
In this series, Zero Tackle will run the rule over where each team currently stands for 2025, and what they will need to do when players off-contract at the end of 2024 become available for negotiation from November 1.
Current squad for 2025
Daniel Atkinson, Blayke Brailey, Kade Dykes, Dale Finucane, Royce Hunt, Nicho Hynes, Sione Katoa, William Kennedy, Cameron McInnes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Briton Nikora, Jesse Ramien, Sam Stonestreet, Siosifa Talakai, Braydon Trindall, Teig Wilton
Current best 17 for 2025
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Royce Hunt
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Dale Finucane
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Kade Dykes
16. Sam Stonestreet
17. No player signed.
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro, Matt Moylan, Niwhai Puru, Toby Rudolf, Siteni Taukamo, Connor Tracey, Jack Williams
Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Sharks could target for 2025 and beyond.
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
Other clubs
» Brisbane Broncos
» Canberra Raiders
» Canterbury Bulldogs
4. Jai Arrow
While this list features two younger forwards, the Sharks could also need a replacement - or replacements - at the top end of their squad as well.
Jai Arrow, who has been on big money during his present deal at South Sydney and is a Queensland State of Origin forward, presents that option if Dale Finucane does elect to hang up the boots.
They don't play the same position, but the beauty of it is, the Sharks don't need his replacement too. That's because they already have two versions of Finucane with Cameron McInnes in the squad.
The real beauty of Arrow is that he can play in the middle and on the edge, and has done both throughout his career at a level that could get him selected for Origin level.
I expect a number of clubs to be targetting Arrow, with the Rabbitohs unlikely to have the funds to hang onto him after shelling out big money for the re-signings of the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Damien Cook and the addition of Jack Wighton from the Canberra Raiders over the next four years.
