1999 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season
Encyclopedia
The 1999 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season was the 33rd in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 1999 Telstra Premiership and despite losing in the preliminary final against St. George-Illawarra, the season was one of the most successful in the club's history after finishing with just their second minor premiership without dropping below equal first throughout the entire season. The club enjoyed record crowds as well as breaking the club record for most points and tries in a season. The club also equaled their biggest ever victory with a 46-0 thrashing of Western Suburbs
as well as breaking their highest points tally in a match with the 56-18 defeat of North Sydney
. David Peachey
finished the season with 19 tries, which was also a record for the club. The club was coached by John Lang
and captained by Andrew Ettingshausen
while their major shirt sponsor was Pepsi
.
Several of the club's players were also rewarded with selection in representative games. In the State of Origin
series Martin Lang, Chris McKenna
and Mat Rogers
were all selected for Queensland
while Jason Stevens
was selected for New South Wales
. Russell Richardson
, Mat Rogers and Jason Stevens were selected for Australia for the end of season Tri-Nations
. At the Dally M Awards, John Lang was named the Coach of the Year, Mat Rogers Representative Player of the Year and David Peachey Fullback of the Year.
Throughout the season, there was ongoing speculation around the clubs future in the competition with some reports suggesting that a possible merger with either the embattled South Sydney
club or the St. George-Illawarra club was a possible option.
announced his retirement from all representative football in order to concentrate on his efforts for the club. On 31 January, former Cronulla forward Graeme Sams died of cancer at the age of 52. It was reported in February that the club was planning on building a resort, worth somewhere in the region of $50 million, near their home ground in order to secure their long term position in the competition.
at Shark Park with two tries from Sean Ryan
as well as tries to David Peachey
, Mat Rogers
, Brett Howland
, Chris McKenna
, Andrew Ettingshausen
and debutant Jason Ferris
. The result equaled the second biggest win in the club's history. However, more importantly for Cronulla, the match marked the return of captain Andrew Ettingshausen
from a career threatening neck injury which had seen him sidelined for approximately eight months. The victory put the club in first place after the first round, due to their superior points difference. In round 2 Cronulla won 14-6 against defending premiers, the Brisbane Broncos
, at ANZ Stadium
with tries to David Peachey
and Paul Donaghy. It was the lowest ever score by Brisbane at ANZ Stadium since they had begun playing their home matches at the venue in 1993. The following round, Cronulla saw off South Sydney
28-12 with two tries each to Brett Howland
and Mat Rogers
and tries for Jason Ferris
and Jason Stevens
. Cronulla came up against Brisbane for the second time in a fortnight and again defeated the defending premiers with a narrow 20-18 win at Shark Park. Tries to David Peachey
, Brett Howland
and Nathan Long helped secure the victory for Cronulla which kept them equal first on the ladder. However, Cronulla were lucky to come away with the two points as referee Paul Simpkins
denied Chris Walker
a penalty try just two minutes from full time and then fullback Darren Lockyer
missed a last minute sideline conversion which would have leveled the scores.
at Olympic Park
. Tries to Russell Richardson
, Andrew Ettingshausen
and David Peachey
ensured that the club remained at the top of the ladder and the only club to yet taste defeat. Round 6 saw Cronulla continue their impressive form with a 22-8 victory over Canterbury in front of a record crowd of 20,793 at Shark Park. Tries to David Peachey
, Adam Dykes
and Chris McKenna
helped seal a convincing victory for Cronulla. Canterbury hooker Jason Hetherington
was charged with a dangerous tackle on his opposite number Dean Treister
which ruled him out of contention for the Anzac Test. Cronulla suffered their first loss of the season in round 7 at the hands of Penrith
. Despite tries from Jason Stevens
, Russell Richardson
and Mat Rogers
, Cronulla went down 18-16 at Penrith Football Stadium. Despite the club's first loss in the previous round, a record crowd of 22,279 (beating the previous record set just two rounds earlier) turned up to Shark Park to watch the local derby against St. George-Illawarra. The home side managed a narrow victory thanks to two tries from David Peachey
and a try to Brett Howland
. Aside from scoring two tries, Peachey also made two try-saving tackles as well as desperately chasing back to make sure Anthony Mundine
didn't score under the uprights. In the end that moment proved crucial as Wayne Bartrim
hit the upright and therefore missed the opportunity to level the scores.
After the win over their local rivals Cronulla chairman Peter Gow
was forced to resign two days after the match after he cut up a St. George-Illawarra jersey at a Cronulla Leagues Club restaurant and punched Barry Beath
when confronted by the former international.
, David Peachey
, Brett Howland
and Mitch Healey
all bagging tries in a convincing victory. Both hookers, Shannon Donato
from Cronulla and Sean Garlick
from South Sydney, were sent to the sin bin by referee Bill Harrigan
after an altercation between the two erupted. Both players were later suspended for two matches and one match respectively after an altercation in the players tunnel. The following round saw Cronulla take on St. George-Illawarra at Kogarah Oval for the second installment of the local derby. The Sharks ran out 20-12 winners after two tries from Brett Howland
and a try to Chris McKenna
helped secure the victory. Three players were sent to the sin-bin; Andrew Hart and Nathan Brown from St. George-Illawarra and Dean Treister
from Cronulla. Referee Stephen Clark
had to be escorted from the ground by police after a heated reception from the home crowd. A dramatic last minute field goal gave Cronulla victory in the following round as they defeated North Sydney 21-20. There was controversy around the incident though as there were claims that Andrew Ettingshausen impeded Mark Soden in his attempt to charge down the field goal. However, referee Stephen Clark
missed the incident and so the field goal was awarded. Earlier, tries from David Peachey
, Mitch Healey
, Dean Treister
and Andrew Pierce helped Cronulla towards victory.
The following day Queensland
defeated New South Wales
9-8 in the first State of Origin
match with debutant Mat Rogers
scoring all the points for Queensland. Despite suffering a knee injury and being forced from the field, Rogers returned later in the match to score all of Queensland's points including a field goal (the first of his career) six minutes from the game's end to win the encounter. Chris McKenna
and Martin Lang also played a part in the match for Queensland and Jason Stevens
for New South Wales but there was no spot for fullback David Peachey. Despite his impressive performances throughout the season, Peachey was left out of the New South Wales squad in favour of Robbie Ross
. Cronulla coach John Lang and captain Andrew Ettingshausen were both shocked at his omission from the squad.
Round 13 saw Cronulla suffer their second loss of the season at the hands of Newcastle as they went down 26-18. Tries from Russell Richardson, Andrew Ettingshausen and Sean Ryan couldn't prevent Newcastle from sending forward Paul Harragon
out on a winning note in his farewell game. However, the match was overshadowed by a horror tackle from Daniel Smailes
on Cronulla's Martin Lang that left the prop unconscious. Cronulla coach John Lang later claimed that the tackle had affected the outcome of the game. Smailes was later suspended for 7 matches for the incident. Two front-rowers, Cronulla's Jason Stevens
and Newcastle's Tony Butterfield
, were also charged by the judiciary. Stevens was hit with an 8 match ban while Butterfield escaped suspension. Referee Tim Mander
and touch judge Paul Field
were later dropped from officiating at first-grade level due to their failure to take appropriate action in regards to both the Smailes and Stevens incidents. The suspension for Stevens cost him a place in the New South Wales side and he was replaced by Michael Vella
for the final two matches of the State of Origin series.
thanks to two tries from Russell Richardson and tries to Andrew Ettingshausen and Sean Ryan. North Queensland centre Damien Smith became the first player since round 1 to be sent off after referee Bill Harrigan gave him his marching orders for a high tackle on Colin Best
.
The second match in the State of Origin series occurred four days later at Stadium Australia with New South Wales winning the match 12-8. For the second consecutive game Mat Rogers scored all his sides points but of far more concern for Cronulla was the fact that Rogers sustained another knee injury just as he had in the first match only this time in his other knee. Doctors later diagnosed the injury as a posterior cruciate rupture that would see Rogers ruled out for twelve weeks. The following day the club announced that they had extended coach John Lang's contract for another two seasons.
Two tries from Brett Howland as well as a try from Dean Treister wasn't enough for Cronulla in Round 15 as the club suffered their third defeat of the season after going down 32-14 against Sydney City at the Sydney Football Stadium. Cronulla trailed 18-6 at halftime and things went from bad to worse when Sean Ryan was sent off just after the interval. However, Sydney City forward David Barnhill
was sent off just minutes later after a dangerous tackle on Dean Treister
which would see him ruled out of contention for the State of Origin decider. Sydney City second-rower Bryan Fletcher
was also sent from the field as he was sin binned. The following match saw Cronulla back to winning ways with a convincing 32-4 victory over Manly at Shark Park despite the absence of key forwards Martin Lang, Jason Stevens and Chris McKenna. Tries to Sean Ryan, Nick Graham, Brett Howland, Colin Best, Shannon Donato and Andrew Ettingshausen capped off a magnificent display. The afternoon was all about captain Ettingshausen though as he played his 300th game for the club - the first man to pass the milestone for the club. Already the all-time leading try scorer for Cronulla a try a minute from full time brought his tally to 152 career tries which meant that he moved to equal third on the all-time competition try scorers list with Harold Horder
. The club honoured his contribution to Cronulla with the unveiling of the newly named 'Andrew Ettingshausen Grandstand'.
The third and deciding State of Origin match occurred on 23 June with Queensland retaining the shield after an historic 10-10 draw. Despite not playing in the match due to a knee injury sustained in game 2, Mat Rogers finished as the series' top point scorer with 17 points.
Two days after the final Origin match, Cronulla were kept scoreless for the first time since their preliminary final loss to Manly in 1996 as they went down 22-0 to Parramatta.
the lone try scorer for Cronulla. It was the club's fifth loss overall and their third defeat in four games. The club got back on the winners list in the following round as they comfortably defeated Canberra 24-8 at Shark Park. Winger Colin Best bagged himself a hat-trick in the space of 19 minutes while Andrew Pierce and Preston Campbell also scored tries. Cronulla won 22-20 against Auckland in the following round thanks to tries from Adam Dykes, David Peachey, Brett Howland and Colin Best. Despite trailing four times throughout the game, Cronulla managed to scrape through thanks to a try from Colin Best
to level the scores and a sideline conversion from Mitch Healey
to seal the victory six minutes from time. Several days after their victory over Auckland, club captain Andrew Ettingshausen predicted a merger between Cronulla and St. George-Illawarra at some stage in the near future. Two tries from Colin Best and a try from Sean Ryan couldn't prevent the club from suffering their first defeat at home as they were beaten 26-18 by Melbourne in the round 21. The following round saw a return to form with a comprehensive 40-8 victory against North Queensland at Shark Park. Two tries to Adam Dykes and Colin Best as well as tries to David Peachey, Sean Ryan, Paul Mellor and Brett Howland helped Cronulla ease to victory. To make matters worse for the visitors, Paul Green
was sent off for North Queensland in the final few minutes.
and Cronulla's Nathan Long were both sent to the sin-bin during the match by referee Matt Hewitt. On that same day it was announced that centre Russell Richardson had re-signed with the club for a further three seasons. Several days later former Cronulla chief executive Peter Gow, who had been forced to resign from the club earlier in the season, announced that he would be taking legal action against the club. The following round saw Cronulla continue their remarkable point scoring form with a 56-18 victory over North Sydney at North Sydney Oval
. Hat-tricks to both David Peachey and Andrew Ettingshausen, a double to Brett Howland as well as tries to Adam Dykes and Chris McKenna sealed what was a record breaking scoreline for the club. It was the highest points tally that the club had ever wracked up in a match and was indeed the first time they had passed the half century mark in their history. However, it was to come at a cost with centre Russell Richardson, who had only recently extended his contract with the club, breaking down with a recurrence of a knee injury that would see him sidelined for around five weeks. After the bye in round 25, Cronulla wrapped up just their second ever minor premiership - the first coming in 1988
- with a comprehensive 38-6 victory against Penrith at Shark Park. A double to David Peachey in his 100th game for the club as well as tries to Colin Best, Andrew Ettingshausen, Brett Howland, Paul Mellor and Mat Rogers helped guide Cronulla to an important victory. After sealing the minor premiership, the players at the club offered to give up their share of the prize money if it would help retain the services of Jason Stevens.
At the Dally M Awards, coach John Lang won the Coach of the Year award while Mat Rogers
was awarded the Representative Player of the Year. David Peachey
was named Fullback of the Year and narrowly missed out on the Dally M Medal
to Andrew Johns
. Andrew Ettingshausen was also awarded the Ken Stephen Memorial Award at the Grand Final breakfast for his contribution to the game and the community. Peachey was also runner up to Johns in the Rugby League Week Player of the Year award.
for the finals. Before the finals series began, Cronulla announced that they had struck a deal with television channel Fox8
which would see the stations logo appear on the sleeves of the club's jersey during the finals. On 5 September at Shark Park, Cronulla won their quarter final clash with Brisbane 42-20 in a convincing display. Two tries from Adam Dykes and Mat Rogers as well as tries from David Peachey, Andrew Ettingshausen and Brett Howland ensured that Brisbane would not win back to back premierships. The win secured a week off and a spot in the preliminary final against the winner of the St. George-Illawarra and Sydney City match. St. George-Illawarra defeated Sydney City 28-18 to set up a third local derby of the season. Several days prior to the game Stadium Australia chief executive Chris Chapman announced that Andrew Ettingshausen was to be the rugby league ambassador for the venue.
Despite winning both of their previous meetings earlier in the season, Cronulla were eliminated from the competition after losing the preliminary final 24-8 against bitter rivals St. George-Illawarra. Despite the loss of Mat Rogers to a badly corked thigh early in the half, Cronulla appeared to be heading towards their first Grand Final since 1997 after a try to fullback David Peachey had given them a slender 8-0 lead going in at half-time. However, Anthony Mundine
scored a second half hat-trick to send St. George-Illawarra through to a Grand Final meeting with Melbourne. Referee Stephen Clark
was given high security after he reportedly received a threatening message on the day before the game.
On 30 September, Shane Webcke
was ruled out for the Australian tri-nations squad after failing a medical and was replaced by Cronulla prop Jason Stevens. A day later it was announced that Stevens had extended his Cronulla contract for a further two years. Mat Rogers
was also called up to the Australian squad after his impressive season and centre Russell Richardson was rewarded for his performances after he was given his Test debut for Australia in the opening match against New Zealand.
In early October, it was reported that Cronulla was still open to the idea of merging with the struggling South Sydney club in a proposed move that would possibly see the new club named the South Sydney Sharks. However, South Sydney president George Piggins
reportedly rejected an offer from Barry Pierce to merge with Cronulla despite several South Sydney figures, including chief executive Mark Colley and former player Mike Cleary, calling for the merger to take place. David Miles, who had been playing in the reserves for Cronulla, signed for the Auckland in mid October. In late November, former South Sydney winger Christian Kerisiano was announced by the club as a new signing for the following season.
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Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
as well as breaking their highest points tally in a match with the 56-18 defeat of North Sydney
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
. David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
finished the season with 19 tries, which was also a record for the club. The club was coached by John Lang
John Lang (rugby league)
John Lang is an Australian former rugby league football coach and player. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative hooker, he played his club football in Brisbane with the Eastern Suburbs Tigers and in Sydney with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters...
and captained by Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
while their major shirt sponsor was Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
.
Several of the club's players were also rewarded with selection in representative games. In the State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
series Martin Lang, Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
and Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
were all selected for Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
while Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens
Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
was selected for New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
. Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000...
, Mat Rogers and Jason Stevens were selected for Australia for the end of season Tri-Nations
1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations
-Tournament standings:-Final:Teams:NEW ZEALAND: 1. Richie Barnett ; 2. Nigel Vagana , 3. Ruben Wiki , 5. Willie Talau , 5. Leslie Vainikolo ; 6. Henry Paul , 7. Robbie Paul ; 8. Joe Vagana , 9. Richard Swain , 10. Craig Smith , 11. Stephen Kearney , 12...
. At the Dally M Awards, John Lang was named the Coach of the Year, Mat Rogers Representative Player of the Year and David Peachey Fullback of the Year.
Throughout the season, there was ongoing speculation around the clubs future in the competition with some reports suggesting that a possible merger with either the embattled South Sydney
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
club or the St. George-Illawarra club was a possible option.
Season summary
Before the season Andrew EttingshausenAndrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
announced his retirement from all representative football in order to concentrate on his efforts for the club. On 31 January, former Cronulla forward Graeme Sams died of cancer at the age of 52. It was reported in February that the club was planning on building a resort, worth somewhere in the region of $50 million, near their home ground in order to secure their long term position in the competition.
March
The season kicked off on 7 March with an impressive 44-0 victory over the Balmain TigersBalmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
at Shark Park with two tries from Sean Ryan
Sean Ryan (rugby league)
Sean Ryan is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the Australian National Rugby League competition and Hull and Castleford Tigers in the European Super League...
as well as tries to David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
, Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
, Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
, Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
, Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
and debutant Jason Ferris
Jason Ferris
Jason Ferris is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for six different clubs between 1996 and 2005. He played at either halfback or five-eighth...
. The result equaled the second biggest win in the club's history. However, more importantly for Cronulla, the match marked the return of captain Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
from a career threatening neck injury which had seen him sidelined for approximately eight months. The victory put the club in first place after the first round, due to their superior points difference. In round 2 Cronulla won 14-6 against defending premiers, the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, at ANZ Stadium
Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre
The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre , more commonly known by its former names ANZ Stadium or QE II, is a major sporting facility on the south side of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
with tries to David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
and Paul Donaghy. It was the lowest ever score by Brisbane at ANZ Stadium since they had begun playing their home matches at the venue in 1993. The following round, Cronulla saw off South Sydney
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
28-12 with two tries each to Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
and Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
and tries for Jason Ferris
Jason Ferris
Jason Ferris is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for six different clubs between 1996 and 2005. He played at either halfback or five-eighth...
and Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens
Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
. Cronulla came up against Brisbane for the second time in a fortnight and again defeated the defending premiers with a narrow 20-18 win at Shark Park. Tries to David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
, Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
and Nathan Long helped secure the victory for Cronulla which kept them equal first on the ladder. However, Cronulla were lucky to come away with the two points as referee Paul Simpkins
Paul Simpkins
Paul Simpkins is a retired Australian professional rugby league referee, officiating in the Australian first-grade competition, National Rugby League. In addition to regularly working the NRL, Simpkins also officiated at the annual State of Origin tournament between Queensland and New South Wales...
denied Chris Walker
Chris Walker
Chris Walker may refer to:*Chris Walker , English motorcycle racer*Chris Walker , Australian rugby league footballer*Chris Walker , English squash player...
a penalty try just two minutes from full time and then fullback Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
missed a last minute sideline conversion which would have leveled the scores.
April
Round 5 saw Cronulla extend their unbeaten start to the season with a 20-16 victory over competition favourites the Melbourne StormMelbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
at Olympic Park
Olympic Park Stadium
Olympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
. Tries to Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000...
, Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
and David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
ensured that the club remained at the top of the ladder and the only club to yet taste defeat. Round 6 saw Cronulla continue their impressive form with a 22-8 victory over Canterbury in front of a record crowd of 20,793 at Shark Park. Tries to David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
, Adam Dykes
Adam Dykes
Adam Dykes is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He has previously played for the Parramatta Eels, Cronulla Sharks and Hull...
and Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
helped seal a convincing victory for Cronulla. Canterbury hooker Jason Hetherington
Jason Hetherington
Jason Hetherington is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He established himself as a hooker, but he started his career off as a five-eighth. Hetherington played club football for the Gold Coast Chargers and the Bulldogs in Australia, winning a premiership with the...
was charged with a dangerous tackle on his opposite number Dean Treister
Dean Treister
Dean Treister is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks team, Treister played many games for the club from 1993 to 2003, including the 1997 Super League Grand Final...
which ruled him out of contention for the Anzac Test. Cronulla suffered their first loss of the season in round 7 at the hands of Penrith
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
. Despite tries from Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens
Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
, Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson
Russell Richardson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000...
and Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
, Cronulla went down 18-16 at Penrith Football Stadium. Despite the club's first loss in the previous round, a record crowd of 22,279 (beating the previous record set just two rounds earlier) turned up to Shark Park to watch the local derby against St. George-Illawarra. The home side managed a narrow victory thanks to two tries from David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
and a try to Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
. Aside from scoring two tries, Peachey also made two try-saving tackles as well as desperately chasing back to make sure Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine is an Australian professional boxer and former rugby league footballer.He is the current interim WBA Light Middleweight Champion boxer, former two-time WBA Super Middleweight Champion, former IBO Middleweight Champion and New South Wales State of Origin representative footballer....
didn't score under the uprights. In the end that moment proved crucial as Wayne Bartrim
Wayne Bartrim
Wayne Bartrim , is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He was selected to represent Australia and Queensland during his career, which he spent playing for the Gold Coast Seagulls, St. George Dragons and St. George Illawarra Dragons in Australia and...
hit the upright and therefore missed the opportunity to level the scores.
After the win over their local rivals Cronulla chairman Peter Gow
Peter Gow
Peter Gow was an Ontario businessman and political figure. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1876....
was forced to resign two days after the match after he cut up a St. George-Illawarra jersey at a Cronulla Leagues Club restaurant and punched Barry Beath
Barry Beath
Barry Beath was an Australian professional rugby league footballer, a second-row forward for the St. George Dragons in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition...
when confronted by the former international.
May
After the bye in round 9, Cronulla defeated South Sydney 27-14 at the Sydney Football Stadium with Mat RogersMat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
, David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
, Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
and Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby team and current coach.-Debut:His first start was on Saturday, March 17, 1990 against the Gold Coast Seagulls at Seagulls Stadium . He started his debut with a try to put the visitors in front for the first time in that match...
all bagging tries in a convincing victory. Both hookers, Shannon Donato
Shannon Donato
Shannon Donato is a former rugby league player who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers. He also played for the Italian national side. His position of choice was at hooker.-Rabbitohs:Donato was a Rabbitohs junior and made his first grade debut...
from Cronulla and Sean Garlick
Sean Garlick
Sean Garlick is an Australian former rugby league footballer. A South Sydney junior, he went on to captain Easts as well as the Rabbitohs in his final season with the Club in 1999....
from South Sydney, were sent to the sin bin by referee Bill Harrigan
Bill Harrigan
-External links:**http://www.billharrigan.com.au/Referee-career-pg2853.html*http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/harrigan.html*http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s1766903.htm*http://www.claxtonspeakers.com.au/speakers_profile/134...
after an altercation between the two erupted. Both players were later suspended for two matches and one match respectively after an altercation in the players tunnel. The following round saw Cronulla take on St. George-Illawarra at Kogarah Oval for the second installment of the local derby. The Sharks ran out 20-12 winners after two tries from Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
and a try to Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
helped secure the victory. Three players were sent to the sin-bin; Andrew Hart and Nathan Brown from St. George-Illawarra and Dean Treister
Dean Treister
Dean Treister is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks team, Treister played many games for the club from 1993 to 2003, including the 1997 Super League Grand Final...
from Cronulla. Referee Stephen Clark
Steve Clark (referee)
Steve Clark is a former Australian professional referee in the National Rugby League competition.- NRL career :Clark made his first grade debut in the match between Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights, at Parramatta Stadium on 31 May 1992. In 2007 Clark reached the 300 first grade game...
had to be escorted from the ground by police after a heated reception from the home crowd. A dramatic last minute field goal gave Cronulla victory in the following round as they defeated North Sydney 21-20. There was controversy around the incident though as there were claims that Andrew Ettingshausen impeded Mark Soden in his attempt to charge down the field goal. However, referee Stephen Clark
Steve Clark (referee)
Steve Clark is a former Australian professional referee in the National Rugby League competition.- NRL career :Clark made his first grade debut in the match between Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights, at Parramatta Stadium on 31 May 1992. In 2007 Clark reached the 300 first grade game...
missed the incident and so the field goal was awarded. Earlier, tries from David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
, Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby team and current coach.-Debut:His first start was on Saturday, March 17, 1990 against the Gold Coast Seagulls at Seagulls Stadium . He started his debut with a try to put the visitors in front for the first time in that match...
, Dean Treister
Dean Treister
Dean Treister is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks team, Treister played many games for the club from 1993 to 2003, including the 1997 Super League Grand Final...
and Andrew Pierce helped Cronulla towards victory.
The following day Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
defeated New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
9-8 in the first State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
match with debutant Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
scoring all the points for Queensland. Despite suffering a knee injury and being forced from the field, Rogers returned later in the match to score all of Queensland's points including a field goal (the first of his career) six minutes from the game's end to win the encounter. Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
and Martin Lang also played a part in the match for Queensland and Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens
Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
for New South Wales but there was no spot for fullback David Peachey. Despite his impressive performances throughout the season, Peachey was left out of the New South Wales squad in favour of Robbie Ross
Robbie Ross (rugby league)
Robbie Ross is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played his club football with the Newcastle Knights, Brisbane Broncos and Hunter Mariners before settling at the Melbourne...
. Cronulla coach John Lang and captain Andrew Ettingshausen were both shocked at his omission from the squad.
Round 13 saw Cronulla suffer their second loss of the season at the hands of Newcastle as they went down 26-18. Tries from Russell Richardson, Andrew Ettingshausen and Sean Ryan couldn't prevent Newcastle from sending forward Paul Harragon
Paul Harragon
Paul "The Chief" Harragon OAM is an Australian rugby league football identity. A retired Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played his club football for the Newcastle Knights whom he captained to the 1997 ARL premiership...
out on a winning note in his farewell game. However, the match was overshadowed by a horror tackle from Daniel Smailes
Daniel Smailes
Daniel Smailes was a rugby league footballer of the '90s and '00s. He played for the Newcastle Knights from 1997 to 2000.-External links:*http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Daniel_Smailes/summary.html...
on Cronulla's Martin Lang that left the prop unconscious. Cronulla coach John Lang later claimed that the tackle had affected the outcome of the game. Smailes was later suspended for 7 matches for the incident. Two front-rowers, Cronulla's Jason Stevens
Jason Stevens
Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
and Newcastle's Tony Butterfield
Tony Butterfield
Tony Butterfield is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin representative prop-forward, he started his club football career with the Penrith Panthers but played the vast majority of it with the Newcastle Knights, with whom he won the...
, were also charged by the judiciary. Stevens was hit with an 8 match ban while Butterfield escaped suspension. Referee Tim Mander
Tim Mander
Tim Mander is a former leading Australian rugby league referee. Mander controlled the National Rugby League grand final in 2004 and 2005...
and touch judge Paul Field
Paul Field (rugby league)
Paul Field is a former rugby league player for the New South Wales Blues. His position of choice was at hooker.Field was selected to represent New South Wales directly from the New South Wales Country Rugby League, one of only three players to be selected straight from a country club to play for...
were later dropped from officiating at first-grade level due to their failure to take appropriate action in regards to both the Smailes and Stevens incidents. The suspension for Stevens cost him a place in the New South Wales side and he was replaced by Michael Vella
Michael Vella
Michael Vella is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains English Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he previously played in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels club...
for the final two matches of the State of Origin series.
June
Cronulla defeated North Queensland 22-8 in the round 14 clash at Dairy Farmers StadiumDairy Farmers Stadium
The Willows Sports Complex, currently known as Dairy Farmers Stadium due to sponsorship rights, is a grass football stadium situated in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It has historically been used mainly for rugby league, and is the home ground of the National Rugby League club the North...
thanks to two tries from Russell Richardson and tries to Andrew Ettingshausen and Sean Ryan. North Queensland centre Damien Smith became the first player since round 1 to be sent off after referee Bill Harrigan gave him his marching orders for a high tackle on Colin Best
Colin Best
Colin Best is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition.-Career:...
.
The second match in the State of Origin series occurred four days later at Stadium Australia with New South Wales winning the match 12-8. For the second consecutive game Mat Rogers scored all his sides points but of far more concern for Cronulla was the fact that Rogers sustained another knee injury just as he had in the first match only this time in his other knee. Doctors later diagnosed the injury as a posterior cruciate rupture that would see Rogers ruled out for twelve weeks. The following day the club announced that they had extended coach John Lang's contract for another two seasons.
Two tries from Brett Howland as well as a try from Dean Treister wasn't enough for Cronulla in Round 15 as the club suffered their third defeat of the season after going down 32-14 against Sydney City at the Sydney Football Stadium. Cronulla trailed 18-6 at halftime and things went from bad to worse when Sean Ryan was sent off just after the interval. However, Sydney City forward David Barnhill
David Barnhill
David Barnhill is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. His club career was with the Canberra Raiders, St. George Dragons, Sydney City and Leeds Rhinos...
was sent off just minutes later after a dangerous tackle on Dean Treister
Dean Treister
Dean Treister is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks team, Treister played many games for the club from 1993 to 2003, including the 1997 Super League Grand Final...
which would see him ruled out of contention for the State of Origin decider. Sydney City second-rower Bryan Fletcher
Bryan Fletcher
Bryan Fletcher is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative second-row-forward, he played his club football in Australia with the Sydney Roosters then the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
was also sent from the field as he was sin binned. The following match saw Cronulla back to winning ways with a convincing 32-4 victory over Manly at Shark Park despite the absence of key forwards Martin Lang, Jason Stevens and Chris McKenna. Tries to Sean Ryan, Nick Graham, Brett Howland, Colin Best, Shannon Donato and Andrew Ettingshausen capped off a magnificent display. The afternoon was all about captain Ettingshausen though as he played his 300th game for the club - the first man to pass the milestone for the club. Already the all-time leading try scorer for Cronulla a try a minute from full time brought his tally to 152 career tries which meant that he moved to equal third on the all-time competition try scorers list with Harold Horder
Harold Horder
Harold Norman Horder was an Australian rugby league player a national and state representative player whose club career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears between 1912 and 1924...
. The club honoured his contribution to Cronulla with the unveiling of the newly named 'Andrew Ettingshausen Grandstand'.
The third and deciding State of Origin match occurred on 23 June with Queensland retaining the shield after an historic 10-10 draw. Despite not playing in the match due to a knee injury sustained in game 2, Mat Rogers finished as the series' top point scorer with 17 points.
Two days after the final Origin match, Cronulla were kept scoreless for the first time since their preliminary final loss to Manly in 1996 as they went down 22-0 to Parramatta.
July
Cronulla suffered their second consecutive loss as they went down 14-6 to Canterbury at Stadium Australia with forward Tim MaddisonTim Maddison
Tim Maddison was a rugby league footballer of the '90s and '00s. He played for the Newcastle Knights from 1993 to 1995 and 2003, then the Sydney City Roosters in 1996, the Hunter Mariners in 1997, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks from 1998 to 2000 and finally the North Queensland Cowboys from 2001 to...
the lone try scorer for Cronulla. It was the club's fifth loss overall and their third defeat in four games. The club got back on the winners list in the following round as they comfortably defeated Canberra 24-8 at Shark Park. Winger Colin Best bagged himself a hat-trick in the space of 19 minutes while Andrew Pierce and Preston Campbell also scored tries. Cronulla won 22-20 against Auckland in the following round thanks to tries from Adam Dykes, David Peachey, Brett Howland and Colin Best. Despite trailing four times throughout the game, Cronulla managed to scrape through thanks to a try from Colin Best
Colin Best
Colin Best is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition.-Career:...
to level the scores and a sideline conversion from Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey
Mitch Healey is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby team and current coach.-Debut:His first start was on Saturday, March 17, 1990 against the Gold Coast Seagulls at Seagulls Stadium . He started his debut with a try to put the visitors in front for the first time in that match...
to seal the victory six minutes from time. Several days after their victory over Auckland, club captain Andrew Ettingshausen predicted a merger between Cronulla and St. George-Illawarra at some stage in the near future. Two tries from Colin Best and a try from Sean Ryan couldn't prevent the club from suffering their first defeat at home as they were beaten 26-18 by Melbourne in the round 21. The following round saw a return to form with a comprehensive 40-8 victory against North Queensland at Shark Park. Two tries to Adam Dykes and Colin Best as well as tries to David Peachey, Sean Ryan, Paul Mellor and Brett Howland helped Cronulla ease to victory. To make matters worse for the visitors, Paul Green
Paul Green (rugby league)
Paul Green is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative halfback, he played for several clubs throughout his career and won the Rothmans Medal in 1995.-Early career:Paul Green was a...
was sent off for North Queensland in the final few minutes.
August
Round 23 saw Cronulla score their biggest victory of the season with a 46-0 victory over Western Suburbs thanks to two tries each from Chris McKenna and Colin Best as well as tries from Brett Howland, David Peachey, Andrew Ettingshausen, Sam Isemonger and Russell Richardson. The win equaled the club's biggest ever victory which had been set in June 1994 against the Gold Coast. It was also the second time that Cronulla had kept an opposition team scoreless during the season. Western Suburbs second-rower Matthew SpenceMatthew Spence
Matthew Spence is a former rugby league player and coach. His position of preference was in the Second Row, although he also played as prop occasionally.-Early years:...
and Cronulla's Nathan Long were both sent to the sin-bin during the match by referee Matt Hewitt. On that same day it was announced that centre Russell Richardson had re-signed with the club for a further three seasons. Several days later former Cronulla chief executive Peter Gow, who had been forced to resign from the club earlier in the season, announced that he would be taking legal action against the club. The following round saw Cronulla continue their remarkable point scoring form with a 56-18 victory over North Sydney at North Sydney Oval
North Sydney Oval
-Development:* The first cricket pitch was laid on 6 December 1867, making it one of the oldest cricket grounds in Australia.* The first structure built, in 1879, was a simple pavilion overlooking the cricket ground...
. Hat-tricks to both David Peachey and Andrew Ettingshausen, a double to Brett Howland as well as tries to Adam Dykes and Chris McKenna sealed what was a record breaking scoreline for the club. It was the highest points tally that the club had ever wracked up in a match and was indeed the first time they had passed the half century mark in their history. However, it was to come at a cost with centre Russell Richardson, who had only recently extended his contract with the club, breaking down with a recurrence of a knee injury that would see him sidelined for around five weeks. After the bye in round 25, Cronulla wrapped up just their second ever minor premiership - the first coming in 1988
1988 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season
The 1988 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season was the 22nd in the club's history. They competed in the NSWRL's 1988 Winfield Cup premiership and finished the regular season as minor premiers. They then came within one match of the grand final but were knocked out by the Balmain Tigers...
- with a comprehensive 38-6 victory against Penrith at Shark Park. A double to David Peachey in his 100th game for the club as well as tries to Colin Best, Andrew Ettingshausen, Brett Howland, Paul Mellor and Mat Rogers helped guide Cronulla to an important victory. After sealing the minor premiership, the players at the club offered to give up their share of the prize money if it would help retain the services of Jason Stevens.
At the Dally M Awards, coach John Lang won the Coach of the Year award while Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
was awarded the Representative Player of the Year. David Peachey
David Peachey
David Peachey is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
was named Fullback of the Year and narrowly missed out on the Dally M Medal
Dally M Medal
The Dally M Medal is the premier individual award in the Australian rugby league competition, which is given to the player voted by sports commentators as the best and fairest in the competition for that year....
to Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
. Andrew Ettingshausen was also awarded the Ken Stephen Memorial Award at the Grand Final breakfast for his contribution to the game and the community. Peachey was also runner up to Johns in the Rugby League Week Player of the Year award.
September
The 1999 season saw the introduction of the McIntyre SystemMcIntyre Final Eight System
The McIntyre Final Eight System was devised by Ken McIntyre in addition to the McIntyre Four, Five and Six systems. It is a playoff system of the top 8 finishers in a competition to determine which two teams will play in the Grand Final. The teams play each other over three weeks, with two teams...
for the finals. Before the finals series began, Cronulla announced that they had struck a deal with television channel Fox8
FOX8
Fox8 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms...
which would see the stations logo appear on the sleeves of the club's jersey during the finals. On 5 September at Shark Park, Cronulla won their quarter final clash with Brisbane 42-20 in a convincing display. Two tries from Adam Dykes and Mat Rogers as well as tries from David Peachey, Andrew Ettingshausen and Brett Howland ensured that Brisbane would not win back to back premierships. The win secured a week off and a spot in the preliminary final against the winner of the St. George-Illawarra and Sydney City match. St. George-Illawarra defeated Sydney City 28-18 to set up a third local derby of the season. Several days prior to the game Stadium Australia chief executive Chris Chapman announced that Andrew Ettingshausen was to be the rugby league ambassador for the venue.
Despite winning both of their previous meetings earlier in the season, Cronulla were eliminated from the competition after losing the preliminary final 24-8 against bitter rivals St. George-Illawarra. Despite the loss of Mat Rogers to a badly corked thigh early in the half, Cronulla appeared to be heading towards their first Grand Final since 1997 after a try to fullback David Peachey had given them a slender 8-0 lead going in at half-time. However, Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine is an Australian professional boxer and former rugby league footballer.He is the current interim WBA Light Middleweight Champion boxer, former two-time WBA Super Middleweight Champion, former IBO Middleweight Champion and New South Wales State of Origin representative footballer....
scored a second half hat-trick to send St. George-Illawarra through to a Grand Final meeting with Melbourne. Referee Stephen Clark
Steve Clark (referee)
Steve Clark is a former Australian professional referee in the National Rugby League competition.- NRL career :Clark made his first grade debut in the match between Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights, at Parramatta Stadium on 31 May 1992. In 2007 Clark reached the 300 first grade game...
was given high security after he reportedly received a threatening message on the day before the game.
On 30 September, Shane Webcke
Shane Webcke
Shane Webcke is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, who spent his entire top-grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos. His position of choice was at prop forward and at his peak he was renowned as the best front rower in the world...
was ruled out for the Australian tri-nations squad after failing a medical and was replaced by Cronulla prop Jason Stevens. A day later it was announced that Stevens had extended his Cronulla contract for a further two years. Mat Rogers
Mat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
was also called up to the Australian squad after his impressive season and centre Russell Richardson was rewarded for his performances after he was given his Test debut for Australia in the opening match against New Zealand.
In early October, it was reported that Cronulla was still open to the idea of merging with the struggling South Sydney club in a proposed move that would possibly see the new club named the South Sydney Sharks. However, South Sydney president George Piggins
George Piggins
George Leslie Piggins AM is an Australian rugby league personality. He is a former player, coach and administrator of the South Sydney Rabbitohs club...
reportedly rejected an offer from Barry Pierce to merge with Cronulla despite several South Sydney figures, including chief executive Mark Colley and former player Mike Cleary, calling for the merger to take place. David Miles, who had been playing in the reserves for Cronulla, signed for the Auckland in mid October. In late November, former South Sydney winger Christian Kerisiano was announced by the club as a new signing for the following season.
Ladder
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cronulla-SutherlandCronulla Sharks The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales... |
24 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 586 | 332 | 40 | |
| 2 |  ParramattaParramatta Eels The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League... |
24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 500 | 294 | 38 | |
| 3 |  MelbourneMelbourne Storm The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria.... |
24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 639 | 392 | 36 | |
| 4 |  Sydney CitySydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... |
24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 592 | 377 | 36 | |
| 5 |  CanterburyCanterbury Bulldogs The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions... |
24 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 520 | 462 | 35 | |
| 6 |  St. George IllawarraSt George Illawarra Dragons The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the... |
24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 588 | 416 | 34 | |
| 7 |  NewcastleNewcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
24 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 575 | 484 | 33 | |
| 8 |  BrisbaneBrisbane Broncos The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two... |
24 | 13 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 510 | 368 | 32 | |
| 9 |  CanberraCanberra Raiders The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982... |
24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 618 | 439 | 31 | |
| 10 | Penrith Penrith Panthers The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan... |
24 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 492 | 428 | 27 | |
| 11 |  AucklandNew Zealand Warriors The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia... |
24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 538 | 498 | 24 | |
| 12 |  South SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 349 | 556 | ||
| 24 | ||||||||||
| 13 | Manly-Warringah Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia... |
24 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 454 | 623 | ||
| 23 | ||||||||||
| 14 |  North SydneyNorth Sydney Bears The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... |
24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 490 | 642 | ||
| 20 | ||||||||||
| 15 |  BalmainBalmain Tigers The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles... |
24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 345 | 636 | ||
| 20 | ||||||||||
| 16 |  North QueenslandNorth Queensland Cowboys The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
24 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 398 | 588 | ||
| 13 | ||||||||||
| 17 |  Western SuburbsWestern Suburbs Magpies The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia... |
24 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 285 | 944 | ||
| 10 |
Results
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