Rookie Watch: The TEN best young players yet to debut at Cronulla Sharks

Attempting to win their first premiership since 2016, the Cronulla Sharks will need to rely on the next generation of young players coming through their ranks, who have yet to play in the NRL arena. Over the past couple of years, the likes of Chris Vea'ila, Liam Ison and Sam Stonestreet have been introduced to the NRL after successfully progressing through the club's ranks. So...who's next? These are the 'Top Ten' young players that have yet to make their NRL debuts and are currently contracted to the Cronulla Sharks. Honourable Mentions Outside of the 'Top Ten', the Sharks have plenty of great young players who are slowly progressing through the ranks. Some back-line players to watch include Richard Whalebone, Oliver Lester, Kristian Dixon, Adrian Sandy and Liam Challenor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYHr0eyV1K8 Felix Faatili, Jai Davies and Blake Whataman headline the most impressive forwards that are on the club's books and set to make waves in the coming seasons. They have also signed impressive 19-year-old playmaker Marc Tannous from the Wests Tigers on a two-year contract until the end of 2027. Jake White Only joining the Cronulla Sharks at the backend of last season, Jake White has had a memorable past 12 months, which has catapulted him into being one of the club's best young prospects. Discovered by Development and Pathways Manager Glenn Brailey from New Zealand, White has not missed a step since his arrival and capped off his stellar campaign with selection into the 2025 Australian Schoolboys starting side. Contracted at the club for a further two seasons, it can be expected that his form will continue heading into next year as he looks to make the step up from the Under-19s SG Ball Cup to either Jersey Flegg or reserve-grade. Alex Challenor The club's Under-19s SG Ball Cup captain in 2025, Alex Challenor, is an exciting young forward who has slowly transitioned from lock to the front row. Although he remains behind Samuel McCulloch and Thomas Dellow in the pecking order for the No.13 jumper, he has been able to reinvent himself in the front row and hasn't looked out of place in both the SG Ball Cup and Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup competitions. The older brother of Liam Challenor - another highly-rated prospect coming through the Sharks system - Alex was named in the 2024 Australian Schoolboys side and showed his leadership as an individual on and off the field. Taj Ford Beginning the year in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge, Taj Ford has shown his versatility in a number of different roles, but mainly either in the halves at five-eighth or being used as a fullback. Thrust into the NSW Cup in the No.1 jersey after injuries to Liam Ison and Kade Dykes, among others, Ford didn't let the side down scoring five tries in ten appearances and making 909 total running metres. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR_ZHDlSzjg While it is unlikely he will be seen in the fullback spot going forward, he has produced a lethal combination with Riley Pollard in the halves for a number of seasons and isn't afraid to take the defence on with his wicked step, but also has good vision. Callum Grantham A dual-code threat, Callum Grantham is one of the most exciting prospects coming through the Sharks system and is already locked down for at least three more seasons until the end of 2028. Predominantly used in the halves in the No.6 jumper, Grantham was named in the 2025 Australian Schoolboys side and can also play at fullback when needed. Knocking back interest from the 15-man code to remain in rugby league and at the Sharks, there is no telling how high his ceiling may potentially be, especially as he continues to develop his game. The Newington student is also rapid, having done athletics growing up, and holds personal bests of 11.59 (100 metres), 22.77 (200 metres), and 49.68 (400 metres) on the track. Nikora Williams A graduate of Endeavour Sports High School, Nikora Williams is coming off a sensational 12 months, which saw him earn Australian Schoolboy honours at the end of 2024 before going on to represent the Under-19s NSW Blues team this year. Playing in the centres, he also claimed the prestigious Val Lembit Memorial Trophy in 2024 for the Most Outstanding Male Representative at the NSW Combined High School Sports Awards, joining a prestigious list that includes the likes of Ian Thorpe, Steve Waugh and Zac Lomax. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOiogLBzffc Also an elite goal-kicker, Williams is one to watch over the next few seasons and is bound to produce a lethal combination with fellow young centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu, who also appeared in the Under-19s State of Origin match. "The thing that sets him apart from other boys is his will to win and the fact he'll do whatever it takes on the field to help his team achieve," Sharks junior representative coach Dave Howlett said on Williams. "He's tenacious and competitive. I coached him at school and the Sharks, and he had exactly the same passion for both teams. He just loves being part of a team environment and trying to inspire other people. "I'm really hopeful he'll blossom into an NRL player and a great team member at that level too. Prestyn Laine-Sietu The Cronulla Sharks 2025 Junior Representative and SG Ball Cup Player of the Year, Prestyn Laine-Sietu, has only been with the club for less than 12 months but has managed to make an immediate impact at the Shire. Arriving from Queensland, where he was a former captain of the Redcliffe Dolphins, the outside back was recently extended on a long-term deal until 2028. He showcased his potential during the Under-19s State of Origin match for the Maroons, where he was easily one of the standouts of the outing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLeopukS3_M "I'm pretty excited to be living in the Shire. I've been living here for the past year and I've enjoyed every moment. I'm excited to see what the club can do in the future," Laine-Sietu said. "My goals going forward are to learn off the older boys, take in as much as I can and keep learning. This is home now. Thanks to the club for giving me the opportunity." Thomas Dellow Arguably one of the best rugby league players under the age of 18, Thomas Dellow has had a spectacular last few months, which saw him named the Under-18s ASSRL National Championships Player of the Tournament and become a two-time Australian Schoolboys representative. Primarily used as a lock, he recently made his Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup debut after another standout campaign in the SG Ball Cup and will look to be elevated to reserve-grade next season. Admiring Sharks icon Paul Gallen, Dellow has tried to base his game on four-time premiership winner Isaah Yeo, and there are several similarities between the two, especially when it comes to their passing ability and vision in attack, as well as their hard work and determination in defence. "It's my dream to play in the NRL, so it'd be amazing," Dellow told Zero Tackle a couple of months ago. "It's a dream since I was a kid wearing the Sharks jersey. It's just amazing to be honest." Samuel McCulloch The captain of the Cronulla Sharks' Jersey Flegg Cup side, Samuel McCulloch, helped guide the club to the Grand Final last season and is known for his confidence not only on the field but also off the field. Making his NSW Cup debut earlier this season, McCulloch is set to have a bright future at the Shire-based club and has been highly touted for several years, even since winning the club's Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year award in 2021.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_zuqBqCllo A local junior out of St John Bosco-Como, the ball-playing lock possesses an incredible work rate and durability on both ends of the field. He is seen as the long-term successor of Cameron McInnes in the No.13 jersey and was honoured this year with the Gavin Miller Player of the Year award Riley Pollard Seen as the future of the Cronulla Sharks halves, Riley Pollard has taken his game to a new level this season, which has seen him impress club officials in both the Jersey Flegg Cup and NSW Cup competitions. Already drawing comparisons to Mitchell Moses, Pollard was named in the 2023 Australian Schoolboys side and will be looking to translate his successful junior career to the NRL in the coming years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iYwKwUCWUY Beginning his career in the famed Penrith Panthers system before making the move to the Shire along with fullback Liam Ison, he provided eight try assists and seven line-break assists in 12 reserve-grade matches in 2025 and is already seen as a 'clutch performer'. Michael Gabrael After spending his early junior years with the Bulldogs and Eels, Michael Gabrael has gone on to become the number one rookie at the Cronulla Sharks and has continued to make a name for himself over the past three seasons at the Shire. The 20-year-old centre has been a standout in reserve-grade this year as he continues to further his development and is the next in line to make his debut if a spot in the outside backs becomes available. Unstoppable in one-on-one scenarios, he is lightning fast and scored 19 tries in 20 NSW Cup matches in 2025 to go with eight try assists, 53 tackle busts and 16 line-breaks - this saw him named in the 2025 NSW Cup Team of the Year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0QXOiDvCAY "The transition's been amazing. All the boys just work for me like I'm their brother ever since I got there," he told Zero Tackle about transitioning from Belmore to the Cronulla Sharks. "They've treated me well and looked after me. The coaching staff's good, especially Fitzy. He's always good to have a chat with, he's real honest with you. "I've learned a lot off the (other outside back) boys, just the professionalism on and off the field.