With not many changes to the squad in the off-season, the Sharks will continue to grow the rapport they already share, hoping for a successful 2024 season.
Season Preview
The Cronulla Sharks didn’t have a stellar season in 2023, finishing in sixth place on 34 competition points, but they gelled better as a team, even though they lost the elimination final by one point to the Roosters.
As for player changes and movements for the 2024 season, they have lost five players, including Connor Tracey, Tuku Hau Tapuha, and Matt Ikuvalu. The most notable losses are Matt Moylan, who will be continuing and potentially finishing his career overseas, and Wade Graham, who has retired from the NRL at 33 years old. As for the rest of the team, there are very few changes with both players and coaching staff, meaning not many new relationships will need to form, and they can continue on as they did in 2023: but – ideally for them – more consistently.
The beginning of the 2024 season is a mixed bag for the Sharks, starting off playing against the Warriors, who had a surprisingly good year in 2023, finishing in the top four and making it all the way to the preliminary finals, losing to the Broncos.
For the remainder of the first 10 rounds, the Sharks will be playing five teams who finished below them on the 2023 NRL ladder. If they are able to start strong, confidence and momentum may carry them throughout the year, finding them in a better position than where they ended last season.
Best Signing
The Sharks have gained two new players for the 2024 season: Billy Burns from the Dragons and Michael Gabrael, who is coming from the Bulldogs.
Eighteen-year-old Gabrael – who began his junior career at the Eels before signing with the Bulldogs – has signed on with the Sharks for three years, and is hoping to get the opportunity to make his NRL debut at the club. He is showing promise and has been quoted saying he admires the Cronulla club and is “looking forward to learning from the coaching staff and continuing to develop.”
When he was with the Eels, he was awarded ‘best back’ for his Harold Matthews Cup performances. It will be exciting to see how he goes at Cronulla, assuming he is provided the opportunity to make his professional debut this season.
Key Player
It’s hard to go past Nicho Hynes to be a very crucial player, if not the most crucial, for the Sharks in 2024. Since joining the club, he has been one of the most invaluable players for them and undoubtedly contributes to their success all throughout the season. He is a great player and leader on and off the field, with a lot of the squad – particularly the younger up-and-coming players – looking up to him.
Player to Watch
Braydon Trindall will be huge for the Sharks in 2024. With the departure of Matt Moylan, he will spend more time with Nicho Hynes, both on and off the field as his offical halves partner. Trindall played quite a lot in place of Moylan in 2023, but now that he IS the man, he’ll be able to cement himself in this role and prove himself more than he already has. Hynes is a great leader and mentor, and will only encourage and help Trindall improve.
Number Crunching
Premiers: 1 (2016)
Minor Premierships: 2 (1988, 1999)
10 years win/loss record: 136 wins, 113 losses, 1 drawn (54.4%)
5 years win/loss record: 64 wins, 57 losses (52.9%)
2023 win/loss record: 14 wins, 10 losses (58.3%)
NRL Finals Appearances since 2014: 8
NRL Finals win/loss record since 2014: 5 wins, 9 losses (35.7%)
Biggest win since 2014: 62, vs Newcastle Knights (62-0, 15/5/16, McDonald Jones Stadium)
Biggest loss since 2014: 48, vs Penrith Panthers (0-48, 7/5/21, BlueBet Stadium)
