Cronulla Sharks
Encyclopedia
The Cronulla
-Sutherland
Sharks are Australian
professional Rugby league
team based in Cronulla
, in the Sutherland Shire
, Southern
Sydney
, New South Wales
. They compete in the National Rugby League
(NRL
), Australasia
's premier Rugby league
competition.
The Sharks, as they are commonly known, were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
, predecessor of the Australian Rugby League
and the current National Rugby League
competition, in January, 1967. The club competed in every premiership season since then and during the Super League war
joined the rebel competition before continuing on in the re-united NRL Premiership. Despite more than 40 years of competition and three Grand Final
s, the Sharks have yet to win a premiership. They won the minor premiership
in 1988 and 1999.
They debuted in 1967 wearing a sky blue jersey adorned with a white V and red numbers on the back, at the then club home ground of Sutherland Oval, under the captaincy of multiple premiership-winner Monty Porter
and the coaching of Ken Kearney
. Cronulla earned immediate recognition when they beat Eastern Suburbs
at the Sydney Sports Ground
in their first match. They had only two more wins, against Norths and Parramatta, and finished last on the competition table.
In mid-1968 the club moved permanently to Endeavour Field at Woolooware, thus becoming the only club in Sydney to own their own ground. Their first match there was against Parramatta
and the Cronulla Sharks won 10–7.
Captain-coached by Englishman Tommy Bishop
, Cronulla made the end-of-season play-offs for the first time in 1973 . They lost only five games and finished just one point behind minor premiers Manly, and ahead of local rivals St George. The Sharks made it to the grand final against the Sea Eagles but in a brutal encounter lost 10–7.
Cronulla met the Sea Eagles again in the 1978 grand final, amidst much controversy surrounding referee Greg Hartley
. The Sharks led by 7–2 well into the second half. Manly came back and brought the scoreboard to 11–7. It took a late penalty goal from Steve Rogers to level scores at 11-all by fulltime. The replay saw the Sharks opportunity pass by as they fielded a much-weakened team due to further injuries, eventually being shut-out by Manly 16–0. Cronulla were without suspended stars Greg Pierce
and Dane Sorensen
in both games, while hooker John McMartin, fullback Mick Mullane
and Barry Andrews were all injured for the replay.
In 1979, Cronulla won the mid-week Amco Cup
competition, their first trophy in the top grade, beating Combined Brisbane 22–5.
, who was named Rookie of the Year, and would later go on to become the most capped and successful player for Cronulla. Cronulla also made the final of the mid-week KB Cup
, but lost again to Manly, 26–6.
In 1985, Cronulla was buoyed by the arrival of 'super coach' Jack Gibson
, who had coached Easts and Parramatta to premierships. Gibson left the club in good shape in 1987, with the promise fulfilled in 1988 when Cronulla won the minor premiership, led by veteran second-rower Gavin Miller
, who was named Dally M Player of the Year
, and Rothmans Medal
winning halfback, Barry Russell
. However, Russell dislocated his shoulder two weeks before the finals, and missed the semi-final where Cronulla went down to Canterbury. He was rushed back in for the final against Balmain, but he was severely hampered by the injury, and Cronulla were bundled out. A bright spot for the Sharks, though, was the selection in the Australian team of Miller, and young centres, Ettingshausen and Mark McGaw
.
In 1989, Cronulla sneaked into the finals after thrashing Illawarra 46–14 in the final round, followed by a memorable 38–14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the play-off for fifth position. However, they could not repeat the performance in their semi-final against eventual premiers Canberra, in what was their third game in seven days. Gavin Miller was rewarded for another great year with both the Dally M Player of the Year award and the Rothmans Medal.
Cronulla again dropped into a period of poor form and financial trouble in 1990, but the appointment as coach of rugby league Immortal, Arthur Beetson
, in 1992 helped turn the on-field problems around. He helped develop a batch of promising players, including five-eighth Mitch Healey
, fullback David Peachey
, winger Richie Barnett
, prop Adam Ritson
, and hooker Aaron Raper
, son of another Immortal, Johnny Raper
. However, Cronulla were forced into receivership in 1993.
Beetson was replaced as coach in 1994 by John Lang
, a former Australian hooker, and coach of the Brisbane Easts
team. Lang brought halfback, Paul Green
, down from Brisbane with him. A golden age for the club had begun, signalled by the two lower grade teams (President's Cup and Reserve grade) winning their competitions. During John Lang's coaching period, from 1994 to 2001, Cronulla made the semi-finals every year except for 1994 and 1998. The club had a glamorous image and attracted record crowds, with a corresponding financial improvement.
In 1995, Cronulla were one of the first clubs to join the Super League
competition, which kicked off after protracted legal battles and much bitterness, in 1997. The club was motivated by a dissatisfaction with the perceived favouritism of the NSWRL administration towards other clubs, and a still-risky financial situation.
They reached the inaugural – and only – grand final of the ten-team Super League competition, only to lose to a vastly superior Brisbane side 26–8 in Brisbane. The game was notable for being the only grand final to be played outside Sydney. The club rejoined the reunited National Rugby League competition in 1998.
Arguably the Sharks' best season ever was in 1999, when they again won the minor premiership in convincing fashion. The Sharks easily accounted for the Brisbane Broncos in the quarter-final, and led 8–0 in the grand final qualifier against the St George Illawarra Dragons before eventually losing 8–24. Also in 1999, the Cronulla-Sutherland name was dropped, and the club was simply known as the "Sharks", and would be known as this until the end of 2002.
, who was named Dally M Player of the Year, despite being a fringe first grader at the start of the season.
In 2002, John Lang was replaced by Australian coach Chris Anderson, who had led Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm to premierships. The following two years were the most acrimonious in the club's history. The first year was almost an on-field success, as Anderson retained the core of John Lang's team, and the Sharks again reached the grand final qualifier. However another heartbreaking loss to New Zealand, the replacement of halfback Peston Campbell – a crowd favourite – with former Melbourne halfback Brett Kimmorley, and a string of released players signaled trouble for 2003.
This was realised with the sudden mid-season departure of long-time stalwarts Nick Graham and Dean Treister. The Sharks finished 11th, suffering a record 74–4 loss to Parramatta in a match marred by the controversial performance of referee Shayne Hayne
. Three Cronulla players were sent from the field, including Sharks captain David Peachey, for ignoring the referee's instructions. Constant infighting between the board and the coach led to Anderson's departure at the end of the season.
The same year the club's name reverted back to Cronulla-Sutherland, Chris Anderson was replaced by Stuart Raper
, another son of Johnny Raper, and the coach of the President's Cup-winning team in 1994. A loyal clubman, he instantly brought a revival in club and supporter spirit. However, Raper's apparent focus on team harmony rather than results led to Cronulla's win percentage worsening, from 49% (24 wins 27 losses) under Anderson, to 43% (31 wins 42 losses).
Steve Rogers, the CEO of the Cronulla Sharks and a former club legend, died on 3 January 2006 at the age of 51 of a "mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol". In April, 2006, the NSW state coroner ruled that the death was accidental.
On 21 April 2006, the Australian government announced they would be funding a 9.6 million-dollar upgrade to Toyota Park.
Cronulla finished the 2006 season in disastrous fashion. After winning 8 out of 9 games in the middle of the season and climbing to near the top of the ladder, the team experienced the worst losing streak in the club's history, losing their last 10 consecutive games. In a see-sawing match to finish to a tumultuous season, the Sharks in their final game coming back from 26–0 down only to lose 26–24 to Canberra. A missed penalty goal in the dying seconds of the match would have sent the game into extra-time, allowing the chance for Cronulla to equal the biggest single-game comeback in the history of top-level rugby league in Australia.
On 22 September 2006, the Sharks Board ended weeks of speculation over the future of Coach Stuart Raper
by sacking him as first-grade coach and handing him a $300,000 payout, making him the second consecutive coach to receive such a payout. On 26 September, Australian Test Coach Ricky Stuart
signed a new three-year deal to coach the Sharks as of 2007, replacing Raper as coach.
Round one of the 2007 season saw the Sharks break their 10-game losing streak against the Penrith Panthers
with an 18–0 victory at Toyota Park. Ricky Stuart, despite being somewhat hampered by the decisions of former coach Raper in the team he inherited, led the Sharks to fifth on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season surprising many critics. Towards the end of the season, Cronulla plunged to fifteenth on the league ladder, slumping to seven straight losses. The season ended with the Sharks in 11th place, rounding off a heartbreaking season, with the club losing no less than nine matches by 4 points or less.
The Sharks made an excellent start to 2008, beating defeated grand finalists Manly and premiers Melbourne in away games in the first two rounds. The team finished the season in third spot, with equal points to the clubs coming first and second. They had one of the best defensive records, but one of the worst attacking records in the league. After a comprehensive 36–10 victory over Canberra in the Qualifying Final at Toyota Stadium
, Cronulla were beaten 28–0 by Melbourne in the Preliminary Final at the Sydney Football Stadium. This was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season.
During the 2009 season Cronulla's dire financial problems became public knowledge. The club is asset-rich, owning its stadium and the surrounding land, but had cash flow problems due to its low average home gate, poor on-field performances in recent seasons and lower than average merchandising and corporate sponsorship. The club announced plans for a partial relocation to the Central Coast, which was rebuffed by the NRL. It was to split home games for the 2010–14 seasons among:
The financial strife at Cronulla has been just the start of the club's woes. The first issue to come to light was allegations on the ABC
program Four Corners that the team in a pre-season trip to New Zealand in 2002 psychologically damaged a young woman after the side was engaged in group sex, most notably ex-player Matthew Johns
.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25466137-5003402,00.html The director of Cronulla, Barry Pierce, was implicated in the drama, as he was managing the touring side. He later resigned and was replaced by current Sharks Chairman Damian Irvine, half brother of Labor Minister Peter Garrett.
Later in the season, Cronulla forward Reni Maitua tested positive to a banned performance-enhancing substance and has been banned for two years.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25639978-5003409,00.html Major sponsor LG did not renew their contract beyond 2010.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25519354-5003409,00.html
Ultimately the malaise was found to reach to the very top of the club, with the CEO, Tony Zappia
forced to quit after controversy where he allegedly hit a female employee while shadow boxing.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25621132-5003409,00.html It later came to light that Zappia had been receiving money obtained through fraud, whereby an allegedly terminally ill man had promised $13.8 million in insurance to the club. Zappia did not disclose this to the board.http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25644920-5006066,00.html
The on-field performances of the club also suffered in 2009, with the club recording 9 straight losses after a win in Round 1. Despite a midseason revival with four straight wins, the Cronulla side slipped to ten straight defeats to equal the club's worst losing streak. One of these losses caused great controversy as the Sharks, playing against Manly, were forced to field just 12 men for most of the game after Luke Douglas was sent off by referee Phil Haines for a careless high tackle. Coach Stuart was left fuming by this and other decisions made by the referees during the game. The Sharks managed to avoid the wooden spoon in 2009 when the Roosters were soundly beaten by the Cowboys in the final round, resulting in a lower overall standing than the Sharks. This was a rare positive in a horror season for the Cronulla club.
and refinancing of club debt with the leagues club. However, reverting the poor on-field performance proved more difficult. Having developed a plan to refinance debt and a long term financial strategy, Richard Fisk
resigned in June 2010. The clubs head coach, Ricky Stuart
, also tendered his resignation from 2011 onwards due to the poor on field performance.
Promising wing/centre Blake Ferguson was criticised for comments about wanting to leave the club in order to achieve success. On Tuesday, 20 July Ricky Stuart left the Sharks for the rest of the season. Assistant NSW and Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan
was appointed as coach.
The 2011 season started so promising for the club. The addition of Wade Graham at five-eighth and New Zealand international Jeremy Smith to a pack already containing two origin players promised an end to the Sharks' status as cellar-dwellers. Despite being humiliated by the Raiders at Canberra Stadium in round one, 40-12, the club won its next two matches. They beat defending premiers St. George Illawarra 16-10 at home in round two, and smashed Penrith 44-12 at Centerbet Stadium. Then the losses really started coming for the club as a number of first starters were injured, losing five in a row to the Warriors (26-18), Sea Eagles (19-13), Knights (24-20), Cowboys (30-12), and Rabbitohs (31-12). Cronulla dropped down the table, from 9th to 15th. They broke their hoodoo in round ten, when they beat the struggling Sydney Roosters 18-4 at Toyota Stadium. They were again disappointing in round eleven, when they were defeated 40-6 by the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. Despite losing 14-8 to the Storm in round 12, they were much improved and forced the Storm into a classic showdown at AAMI Park in Melbourne. They then faced the Broncos at home in round 13, and were, again, disappointing going down 34-16. A bye in round 14 gifted them with the chance to train hard for a week without a match, and skipper Paul Gallen lead the NSW Blues Origin team to a memorable 18-8 victory over Queensland, with an inspirational performance. He then played outstandingly for the Sharks in their round 15 match against the Bulldogs just three days after the State of Origin match. Cronulla beat Canterbury-Bankstown 26-10. The next four weeks saw a turnaround of the club's performance, with victory over the Gold Coast Titans 36-12, the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-4, and then they took revenge against the Canberra Raiders 26-12.
A round of player signings occurred in the middle of the 2011 season. Cronulla lost their two props for the 2012 season, Origin representative Kade Snowden to Newcastle and Luke Douglas signing for the Gold Coast Titans. Captain Paul Gallen's transformation into an Origin prop alleviated this problem somewhat, and the Sharks were active in the player market, signing prop Jon Green from St George, former Shark Isaac de Gois and prop Mark Taufua from Newcastle, halfback Jeff Robson from Parramatta and props Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita from Wests Tigers.
Proposals to develop the land assets of the Leagues club which owns the stadium and land around Shark Park finally became more tangible, as details of a residential and shopping centre were released. The Sharks seek to alleviate their crippling debts and also to create an income stream.
, and shortly after on the team's away strip.
The club wasn’t known as the Sharks' until well after its admission into the competition. During Cronulla’s first season the crest featured a drawing of Captain Cook's ship the Endeavour
. It is alleged that during the first season the club President suggested the 'Lions' while the captain Ken Kearney
recommended the 'Sharks'. The mascot may have been named after the Cronulla Surf Club's rugby league teams of the 1970s.
From the late 1970s through to the late 1990s, the Sharks used a predominately black circular crest with a blue shark. This was changed after Super League
in 1997 to a blue and white star-shaped design. Between 1999–2002, the name was shortened to simply the "Sharks". Since 2003, the name has since been changed back to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and changed their logo again in 2004, which is currently in use.
The Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club is known as Sharkies and is located on Captain Cook Drive at Woolooware
. The leagues club sits beside the Cronulla Sutherland home ground, Toyota Stadium
, originally known as Endeavour Field. Cronulla's home ground has had numerous names over the years including Ronson Field, Shark Park,Toyota Park, and its current name, Toyota Stadium, re-named after the construction of a stand at the Southern end of the ground.
the boys in the black white and blue.
Up, up, Cronulla,
name of the sharks fits you.
Sharks, sharks, forever
go out and play without fear.
Now's the time to see good football,
cause the sharks are here!
Up the sharks!
following the mid-season resignation of Ricky Stuart
in 2010.
Most Points
Most Tries
Most Tries
Most Tries
Cronulla, New South Wales
Cronulla is a beachside suburb, in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cronulla is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Sutherland Shire....
-Sutherland
Sutherland, New South Wales
Sutherland is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Sutherland is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Sutherland Shire....
Sharks are Australian
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
professional Rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team based in Cronulla
Cronulla, New South Wales
Cronulla is a beachside suburb, in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cronulla is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Sutherland Shire....
, in the Sutherland Shire
Sutherland Shire
The Sutherland Shire is a Local Government Area in the Southern Sydney region of Sydney, Australia. Geographically, it is the area to the south of Botany Bay and the Georges River...
, Southern
Southern Sydney
This article refers to an area the same as a combination of St George and SutherlandSouthern Sydney is a general term which is used to describe the southern metropolitan area of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia....
Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. They compete in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
), Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
's premier Rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
competition.
The Sharks, as they are commonly known, were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League from 1908 until 1994, the premiership was the state's and later the country's elite rugby league competition...
, predecessor of the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
and the current National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
competition, in January, 1967. The club competed in every premiership season since then and during the Super League war
Super League war
The Super League war is the common name given to the corporate dispute that was fought in and out of court during the mid-1990s between the Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation-backed Super League and the Kerry Packer and Optus Vision-backed Australian Rugby League organisations over broadcasting...
joined the rebel competition before continuing on in the re-united NRL Premiership. Despite more than 40 years of competition and three Grand Final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
s, the Sharks have yet to win a premiership. They won the minor premiership
Minor premiership
A minor premiership is the name of the title given to the team which finishes a sporting competition first in the league standings after the regular season but prior to commencement of the playoffs....
in 1988 and 1999.
A historical overview
In 1967 the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL) added two new clubs to the competition, Cronulla and Penrith, the first to join the competition since Parramatta and Manly were admitted 20 years earlier in 1947.They debuted in 1967 wearing a sky blue jersey adorned with a white V and red numbers on the back, at the then club home ground of Sutherland Oval, under the captaincy of multiple premiership-winner Monty Porter
Monty Porter
Montague 'Monty' Porter was an Australian premiership winning and state representative rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a second rower with the St. George Dragons during their eleven-year premiership winning run from 1956 to 1966, playing in six grand finals...
and the coaching of Ken Kearney
Ken Kearney
Ken "Killer" Kearney was an Australian rugby footballer – a dual-code international player – and a rugby league coach. He represented the Wallabies in seven Tests and the Kangaroos in thirty-one Test matches and World Cup games. He captained Australia in nine rugby league Test matches in 1956 and...
. Cronulla earned immediate recognition when they beat Eastern Suburbs
Sydney 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...
at the Sydney Sports Ground
Sydney Sports Ground
The Sydney Sports Ground was a Stadium and Dirt track racing venue in Sydney, New South Wales. The ground was located where the car park of the Sydney Football Stadium currently sits. The ground had two main grandstands and was surrounded by a grass covered hill, giving it a capacity of more than...
in their first match. They had only two more wins, against Norths and Parramatta, and finished last on the competition table.
In mid-1968 the club moved permanently to Endeavour Field at Woolooware, thus becoming the only club in Sydney to own their own ground. Their first match there was against Parramatta
Parramatta 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...
and the Cronulla Sharks won 10–7.
1970s
Tommy Bishop
Tommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
, Cronulla made the end-of-season play-offs for the first time in 1973 . They lost only five games and finished just one point behind minor premiers Manly, and ahead of local rivals St George. The Sharks made it to the grand final against the Sea Eagles but in a brutal encounter lost 10–7.
Cronulla met the Sea Eagles again in the 1978 grand final, amidst much controversy surrounding referee Greg Hartley
Greg Hartley
Greg Hartley is an Australian former referee in the New South Wales Rugby Football League competitions of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hartley has been described as "perhaps the most colourful and controversial referee in football history"....
. The Sharks led by 7–2 well into the second half. Manly came back and brought the scoreboard to 11–7. It took a late penalty goal from Steve Rogers to level scores at 11-all by fulltime. The replay saw the Sharks opportunity pass by as they fielded a much-weakened team due to further injuries, eventually being shut-out by Manly 16–0. Cronulla were without suspended stars Greg Pierce
Greg Pierce
Greg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
and Dane Sorensen
Dane Sorensen
Dane Hans Ivan Peter Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Sorensen represented New Zealand and his usual position was prop. He's the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Kurt Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
in both games, while hooker John McMartin, fullback Mick Mullane
Mick Mullane
Mick Mullane, Jr. is an Australian former rugby league player, who was a member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team. Mullane played fullback, and played in the 1978 grand final....
and Barry Andrews were all injured for the replay.
In 1979, Cronulla won the mid-week Amco Cup
Amco Cup
The Amco Cup was a mid-week rugby league competition held in Australia between 1974 and 1989. The format was usually a straight knock-out, but various group formats were used between 1979 and 1982...
competition, their first trophy in the top grade, beating Combined Brisbane 22–5.
1980s
Cronulla suffered major financial trouble in 1983, with the NSWRL appointing an administrator and providing a loan. Western Suburbs and Newtown, both in a similar predicament, were refused a loan, with Newtown being forced out of the competition. However, the season wasn't all bad for Cronulla, with the emergence of teenage star, 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...
, who was named Rookie of the Year, and would later go on to become the most capped and successful player for Cronulla. Cronulla also made the final of the mid-week KB Cup
Amco Cup
The Amco Cup was a mid-week rugby league competition held in Australia between 1974 and 1989. The format was usually a straight knock-out, but various group formats were used between 1979 and 1982...
, but lost again to Manly, 26–6.
In 1985, Cronulla was buoyed by the arrival of 'super coach' Jack Gibson
Jack Gibson (rugby league)
Jack Arthur Gibson OAM was an Australian rugby league identity – a player, commentator and most notably a coach...
, who had coached Easts and Parramatta to premierships. Gibson left the club in good shape in 1987, with the promise fulfilled in 1988 when Cronulla won the minor premiership, led by veteran second-rower Gavin Miller
Gavin Miller
Gavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
, who was named Dally M Player of the Year
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....
, and Rothmans Medal
Rothmans Medal
The Rothmans Medal was the premier individual award in both the New South Wales Rugby League and Brisbane Rugby League competitions, and later in the Australian Rugby League, which was given to the player voted by referees as the best and fairest in those competitions for that year.The award was...
winning halfback, Barry Russell
Barry Russell (Cronulla)
Barry Russell is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the halves for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club of the NSWRL Premiership with whom he won the Rothmans Medal in 1988....
. However, Russell dislocated his shoulder two weeks before the finals, and missed the semi-final where Cronulla went down to Canterbury. He was rushed back in for the final against Balmain, but he was severely hampered by the injury, and Cronulla were bundled out. A bright spot for the Sharks, though, was the selection in the Australian team of Miller, and young centres, Ettingshausen and Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
.
In 1989, Cronulla sneaked into the finals after thrashing Illawarra 46–14 in the final round, followed by a memorable 38–14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the play-off for fifth position. However, they could not repeat the performance in their semi-final against eventual premiers Canberra, in what was their third game in seven days. Gavin Miller was rewarded for another great year with both the Dally M Player of the Year award and the Rothmans Medal.
1990s
Arthur Beetson
Arthur Henry "Artie" Beetson, OAM , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia and Queensland from 1964 to 1981. His position was at prop. Beetson became the first Indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport. and is frequently cited as the best...
, in 1992 helped turn the on-field problems around. He helped develop a batch of promising players, including five-eighth 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...
, fullback 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...
, winger Richie Barnett
Richie Barnett
Richie Barnett is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and2000s who represented the New Zealand Kiwis twelve times.-Playing career:...
, prop Adam Ritson
Adam Ritson
Adam Ritson was an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia, his position of choice was at prop-forward....
, and hooker Aaron Raper
Aaron Raper
Aaron Raper is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s.Raper played in Australia for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Parramatta Eels and in England for the Castleford Tigers...
, son of another Immortal, Johnny Raper
Johnny Raper
John Raper, MBE is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a lock forward for the Australia national team. He had a record 33 test caps between 1959 and 1968 and played in 6 World Cup games between 1960 to 1968...
. However, Cronulla were forced into receivership in 1993.
Beetson was replaced as coach in 1994 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...
, a former Australian hooker, and coach of the Brisbane Easts
Easts Tigers
The Eastern Suburbs Tigers are a rugby league club based at Langlands Park, which is in the suburb of Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia. They competed in the Brisbane Rugby League from 1934 to 1996. From 1996 they have competed in the Queensland Cup. Their jersey is traditionally an all gold jersey...
team. Lang brought halfback, 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...
, down from Brisbane with him. A golden age for the club had begun, signalled by the two lower grade teams (President's Cup and Reserve grade) winning their competitions. During John Lang's coaching period, from 1994 to 2001, Cronulla made the semi-finals every year except for 1994 and 1998. The club had a glamorous image and attracted record crowds, with a corresponding financial improvement.
In 1995, Cronulla were one of the first clubs to join the Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
competition, which kicked off after protracted legal battles and much bitterness, in 1997. The club was motivated by a dissatisfaction with the perceived favouritism of the NSWRL administration towards other clubs, and a still-risky financial situation.
They reached the inaugural – and only – grand final of the ten-team Super League competition, only to lose to a vastly superior Brisbane side 26–8 in Brisbane. The game was notable for being the only grand final to be played outside Sydney. The club rejoined the reunited National Rugby League competition in 1998.
Arguably the Sharks' best season ever was in 1999, when they again won the minor premiership in convincing fashion. The Sharks easily accounted for the Brisbane Broncos in the quarter-final, and led 8–0 in the grand final qualifier against the St George Illawarra Dragons before eventually losing 8–24. Also in 1999, the Cronulla-Sutherland name was dropped, and the club was simply known as the "Sharks", and would be known as this until the end of 2002.
2000s
Cronulla lost the grand final qualifier in similar circumstances in 2001, to eventual premiers Newcastle. The year was marked by the sudden rise of halfback Preston CampbellPreston Campbell
Preston Campbell, is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
, who was named Dally M Player of the Year, despite being a fringe first grader at the start of the season.
This was realised with the sudden mid-season departure of long-time stalwarts Nick Graham and Dean Treister. The Sharks finished 11th, suffering a record 74–4 loss to Parramatta in a match marred by the controversial performance of referee Shayne Hayne
Shayne Hayne
Shane Hayne, born Kevin John Hayne in Wellington, NSW in 1967, is an Australian rugby league referee in the National Rugby League . He has officiated in State of Origin since game II in 2007, the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and the 2009 NRL Grand Final....
. Three Cronulla players were sent from the field, including Sharks captain David Peachey, for ignoring the referee's instructions. Constant infighting between the board and the coach led to Anderson's departure at the end of the season.
The same year the club's name reverted back to Cronulla-Sutherland, Chris Anderson was replaced by Stuart Raper
Stuart Raper
Stuart Raper is an Australian former professional rugby league player and coach. He has since become a sideline commentator for the NRL with Foxsports...
, another son of Johnny Raper, and the coach of the President's Cup-winning team in 1994. A loyal clubman, he instantly brought a revival in club and supporter spirit. However, Raper's apparent focus on team harmony rather than results led to Cronulla's win percentage worsening, from 49% (24 wins 27 losses) under Anderson, to 43% (31 wins 42 losses).
Steve Rogers, the CEO of the Cronulla Sharks and a former club legend, died on 3 January 2006 at the age of 51 of a "mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol". In April, 2006, the NSW state coroner ruled that the death was accidental.
On 21 April 2006, the Australian government announced they would be funding a 9.6 million-dollar upgrade to Toyota Park.
Cronulla finished the 2006 season in disastrous fashion. After winning 8 out of 9 games in the middle of the season and climbing to near the top of the ladder, the team experienced the worst losing streak in the club's history, losing their last 10 consecutive games. In a see-sawing match to finish to a tumultuous season, the Sharks in their final game coming back from 26–0 down only to lose 26–24 to Canberra. A missed penalty goal in the dying seconds of the match would have sent the game into extra-time, allowing the chance for Cronulla to equal the biggest single-game comeback in the history of top-level rugby league in Australia.
On 22 September 2006, the Sharks Board ended weeks of speculation over the future of Coach Stuart Raper
Stuart Raper
Stuart Raper is an Australian former professional rugby league player and coach. He has since become a sideline commentator for the NRL with Foxsports...
by sacking him as first-grade coach and handing him a $300,000 payout, making him the second consecutive coach to receive such a payout. On 26 September, Australian Test Coach Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
signed a new three-year deal to coach the Sharks as of 2007, replacing Raper as coach.
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...
with an 18–0 victory at Toyota Park. Ricky Stuart, despite being somewhat hampered by the decisions of former coach Raper in the team he inherited, led the Sharks to fifth on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season surprising many critics. Towards the end of the season, Cronulla plunged to fifteenth on the league ladder, slumping to seven straight losses. The season ended with the Sharks in 11th place, rounding off a heartbreaking season, with the club losing no less than nine matches by 4 points or less.
The Sharks made an excellent start to 2008, beating defeated grand finalists Manly and premiers Melbourne in away games in the first two rounds. The team finished the season in third spot, with equal points to the clubs coming first and second. They had one of the best defensive records, but one of the worst attacking records in the league. After a comprehensive 36–10 victory over Canberra in the Qualifying Final at Toyota Stadium
Toyota Stadium
is a 45,000 seat retractable roof stadium in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It was built in 2001 and is often used as home to the J. League club Nagoya Grampus...
, Cronulla were beaten 28–0 by Melbourne in the Preliminary Final at the Sydney Football Stadium. This was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season.
During the 2009 season Cronulla's dire financial problems became public knowledge. The club is asset-rich, owning its stadium and the surrounding land, but had cash flow problems due to its low average home gate, poor on-field performances in recent seasons and lower than average merchandising and corporate sponsorship. The club announced plans for a partial relocation to the Central Coast, which was rebuffed by the NRL. It was to split home games for the 2010–14 seasons among:
- 6 at Toyota Park, to include local derbys with the St George Illawarra DragonsSt George Illawarra DragonsThe 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...
and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, - 5 at Central Coast Stadium in GosfordGosford, New South WalesGosford is a city located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, approximately 76 km north of the Sydney central business district...
, Central Coast, and - 1 at Hindmarsh StadiumHindmarsh StadiumHindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United....
in AdelaideAdelaideAdelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25435705.
The financial strife at Cronulla has been just the start of the club's woes. The first issue to come to light was allegations on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
program Four Corners that the team in a pre-season trip to New Zealand in 2002 psychologically damaged a young woman after the side was engaged in group sex, most notably ex-player Matthew Johns
Matthew Johns
Matthew Johns is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former professional player...
.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25466137-5003402,00.html The director of Cronulla, Barry Pierce, was implicated in the drama, as he was managing the touring side. He later resigned and was replaced by current Sharks Chairman Damian Irvine, half brother of Labor Minister Peter Garrett.
Later in the season, Cronulla forward Reni Maitua tested positive to a banned performance-enhancing substance and has been banned for two years.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25639978-5003409,00.html Major sponsor LG did not renew their contract beyond 2010.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25519354-5003409,00.html
Ultimately the malaise was found to reach to the very top of the club, with the CEO, Tony Zappia
Tony Zappia
Antonio "Tony" Zappia is the Australian Labor Party representative for the electoral division of Makin in north-eastern Adelaide, South Australia in the 2007 federal election...
forced to quit after controversy where he allegedly hit a female employee while shadow boxing.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25621132-5003409,00.html It later came to light that Zappia had been receiving money obtained through fraud, whereby an allegedly terminally ill man had promised $13.8 million in insurance to the club. Zappia did not disclose this to the board.http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25644920-5006066,00.html
The on-field performances of the club also suffered in 2009, with the club recording 9 straight losses after a win in Round 1. Despite a midseason revival with four straight wins, the Cronulla side slipped to ten straight defeats to equal the club's worst losing streak. One of these losses caused great controversy as the Sharks, playing against Manly, were forced to field just 12 men for most of the game after Luke Douglas was sent off by referee Phil Haines for a careless high tackle. Coach Stuart was left fuming by this and other decisions made by the referees during the game. The Sharks managed to avoid the wooden spoon in 2009 when the Roosters were soundly beaten by the Cowboys in the final round, resulting in a lower overall standing than the Sharks. This was a rare positive in a horror season for the Cronulla club.
2010s
The start of the 2010 season saw the Sharks return reinvented, with a new board, new CEO Richard FiskRichard Fisk
Richard Fisk is a fictional character, a criminal in the , featured in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the son of the Kingpin and his wife Vanessa Fisk...
and refinancing of club debt with the leagues club. However, reverting the poor on-field performance proved more difficult. Having developed a plan to refinance debt and a long term financial strategy, Richard Fisk
Richard Fisk
Richard Fisk is a fictional character, a criminal in the , featured in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the son of the Kingpin and his wife Vanessa Fisk...
resigned in June 2010. The clubs head coach, Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
, also tendered his resignation from 2011 onwards due to the poor on field performance.
Promising wing/centre Blake Ferguson was criticised for comments about wanting to leave the club in order to achieve success. On Tuesday, 20 July Ricky Stuart left the Sharks for the rest of the season. Assistant NSW and Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan
Shane Flanagan
Shane Flanagan is an Australian professional rugby league football coach. He was appointed assistant coach of NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the top position when former coach Ricky Stuart resigned on 20 July 2010.Flanagan played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg...
was appointed as coach.
The 2011 season started so promising for the club. The addition of Wade Graham at five-eighth and New Zealand international Jeremy Smith to a pack already containing two origin players promised an end to the Sharks' status as cellar-dwellers. Despite being humiliated by the Raiders at Canberra Stadium in round one, 40-12, the club won its next two matches. They beat defending premiers St. George Illawarra 16-10 at home in round two, and smashed Penrith 44-12 at Centerbet Stadium. Then the losses really started coming for the club as a number of first starters were injured, losing five in a row to the Warriors (26-18), Sea Eagles (19-13), Knights (24-20), Cowboys (30-12), and Rabbitohs (31-12). Cronulla dropped down the table, from 9th to 15th. They broke their hoodoo in round ten, when they beat the struggling Sydney Roosters 18-4 at Toyota Stadium. They were again disappointing in round eleven, when they were defeated 40-6 by the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. Despite losing 14-8 to the Storm in round 12, they were much improved and forced the Storm into a classic showdown at AAMI Park in Melbourne. They then faced the Broncos at home in round 13, and were, again, disappointing going down 34-16. A bye in round 14 gifted them with the chance to train hard for a week without a match, and skipper Paul Gallen lead the NSW Blues Origin team to a memorable 18-8 victory over Queensland, with an inspirational performance. He then played outstandingly for the Sharks in their round 15 match against the Bulldogs just three days after the State of Origin match. Cronulla beat Canterbury-Bankstown 26-10. The next four weeks saw a turnaround of the club's performance, with victory over the Gold Coast Titans 36-12, the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-4, and then they took revenge against the Canberra Raiders 26-12.
A round of player signings occurred in the middle of the 2011 season. Cronulla lost their two props for the 2012 season, Origin representative Kade Snowden to Newcastle and Luke Douglas signing for the Gold Coast Titans. Captain Paul Gallen's transformation into an Origin prop alleviated this problem somewhat, and the Sharks were active in the player market, signing prop Jon Green from St George, former Shark Isaac de Gois and prop Mark Taufua from Newcastle, halfback Jeff Robson from Parramatta and props Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita from Wests Tigers.
Proposals to develop the land assets of the Leagues club which owns the stadium and land around Shark Park finally became more tangible, as details of a residential and shopping centre were released. The Sharks seek to alleviate their crippling debts and also to create an income stream.
Emblem and colours
For Cronulla's maiden season in first grade a sky blue jersey with a white V was adopted from the Cronulla Surf Club despite Cronulla's chocolate and gold design in the Sydney 2nd Division competition. The team colours of black, white and sky blue haven't changed, with the exception of grey being incorporated during super leagueSuper League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
, and shortly after on the team's away strip.
The club wasn’t known as the Sharks' until well after its admission into the competition. During Cronulla’s first season the crest featured a drawing of Captain Cook's ship the Endeavour
HM Bark Endeavour
HMS Endeavour, also known as HM Bark Endeavour, was a British Royal Navy research vessel commanded by Lieutenant James Cook on his first voyage of discovery, to Australia and New Zealand from 1769 to 1771....
. It is alleged that during the first season the club President suggested the 'Lions' while the captain Ken Kearney
Ken Kearney
Ken "Killer" Kearney was an Australian rugby footballer – a dual-code international player – and a rugby league coach. He represented the Wallabies in seven Tests and the Kangaroos in thirty-one Test matches and World Cup games. He captained Australia in nine rugby league Test matches in 1956 and...
recommended the 'Sharks'. The mascot may have been named after the Cronulla Surf Club's rugby league teams of the 1970s.
From the late 1970s through to the late 1990s, the Sharks used a predominately black circular crest with a blue shark. This was changed after Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
in 1997 to a blue and white star-shaped design. Between 1999–2002, the name was shortened to simply the "Sharks". Since 2003, the name has since been changed back to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and changed their logo again in 2004, which is currently in use.
Stadium
Woolooware, New South Wales
Woolooware is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Woolooware is located south of the Sydney central business district in the Sutherland Shire. It shares the 2230 postcode with Cronulla....
. The leagues club sits beside the Cronulla Sutherland home ground, Toyota Stadium
Toyota Park (Cronulla)
Endeavour Field, currently known as Toyota Stadium due to sponsorship rights, is a rugby league stadium in the suburb of Woolooware, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home ground for the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team, which represents the Cronulla and Sutherland Shire area...
, originally known as Endeavour Field. Cronulla's home ground has had numerous names over the years including Ronson Field, Shark Park,Toyota Park, and its current name, Toyota Stadium, re-named after the construction of a stand at the Southern end of the ground.
Team Anthem
Up, up, Cronulla,the boys in the black white and blue.
Up, up, Cronulla,
name of the sharks fits you.
Sharks, sharks, forever
go out and play without fear.
Now's the time to see good football,
cause the sharks are here!
Up the sharks!
Supporters
Some notable fans of the club are:- Chris McCormack, triathlete
- Elle MacPhersonElle MacphersonElle Macpherson is an Australian model, actress, and businesswoman nicknamed "The Body". She is perhaps best known for her record five cover appearances for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue beginning in the 1980s...
, supermodel - Jai TaurimaJai TaurimaJai Taurima is a retired Australian athlete who competed in the long jump. He won a surprising silver medal at the 2000 Olympics with a personal best jump of 8.49 metres. This was the Oceanian record...
, Olympic long jumper - Larry DavidsonLarry DavidsonLarry Davidson is an Australian basketballer. He plays in the National Basketball League with the Wollongong Hawks as a power forward or center....
, basketball player - Nick DavisNick DavisNick Davis may refer to:* Nick Davis , American football player* Nick Davis , Australian rules footballer* Nick Davis * Nick Davis * Nick Davis, a character on All My Children...
, Australian rules footballer - Peter CostelloPeter CostelloPeter Howard Costello AC is an Australian politician and lawyer who served as the Treasurer in the Australian government from 1996 to 2007. He is the longest-serving Treasurer in Australian history. Costello was a Member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1990 to 2009, representing...
, former Treasurer of Australia - Phil KearnsPhil KearnsPhilip Nicholas Kearns is a former Australian rugby union player. He represented Australia 67 times and was captain of on 10 occasions....
, former Australian Wallabies rugby union captain - Shane DyeShane DyeRaymond Shane Dye, born , in the township of Matamata New Zealand and established himself as a champion apprentice jockey in New Zealand, and, moving to Australia in the late-1980s, he quickly established himself as one of the country's best riders...
, jockey - Brendan CowellBrendan CowellBrendan Cowell is an Australian actor, screenwriter and director. Cowell was born in Sydney. He stumbled upon acting by accident while waiting for his sister to come out of a rehearsal; he was then cast in a commercial at age 8...
, actor
2012 Squad
Sharks Immortals
The club has honoured five individuals as "Immortals" of the club:- Tommy BishopTommy BishopTommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
, player-coach (1969-74) - Greg PierceGreg PierceGreg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
, player (1969-80) and coach (1981-82) - Steve Rogers, player (1973-85) and CEO
- Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
, player (1980-92) - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
, player (1983-2000)
Club captains
- Monty PorterMonty PorterMontague 'Monty' Porter was an Australian premiership winning and state representative rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a second rower with the St. George Dragons during their eleven-year premiership winning run from 1956 to 1966, playing in six grand finals...
(1967) - Warren RyanWarren RyanWarren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
(1968) - Noel Thornton (1968–1969)
- Graeme Wilson (1969–1970)
- George TaylforthGeorge TaylforthGeorge Henry Taylforth is a British-born Australian former professional rugby league player for Canterbury-Bankstown and Cronulla-Sutherland, notable for his long-range goal-kicking.-Playing career:...
(1970) - Tom Bishop (1970–1971, 1973)
- Kevin Hogan (1971)
- Ron Turner (1971)
- Greg PierceGreg PierceGreg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
(1971–1980) - Ken MaddisonKen MaddisonKen Maddison is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the St. George Dragons and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks . He was also a state and national representative, playing four Tests for...
(1972, 1974) - Cliff WatsonCliff WatsonClifford H. Watson is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s. He played for the St. Helens rugby football club in the English Rugby Football League Championship and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in Australia. His position of...
(1972–1973) - John Maguire (1974–1975, 1977)
- Roger MillwardRoger MillwardRoger Millward MBE is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century. A goal-kicking , he gained a high level of prominence in the sport in England by playing for Hull KR and Castleford, as well as representing Great Britain...
(1976) - John McMartin (1977)
- Steve Rogers (1978–1982)
- Dane SorensenDane SorensenDane Hans Ivan Peter Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Sorensen represented New Zealand and his usual position was prop. He's the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Kurt Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
(1982) - Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
(1983, 1991–1992) - David HatchDavid Hatch (rugby league)David Hatch is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team. Hatch played many games as captain of the Cronulla Sharks from 1978-1990. His position of choice was lock.-External links:*...
(1984–1990) - Greg Nixon (1984)
- Dan StainsDan StainsDan Stains is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played primarily for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, usually as a , and as a .He played for Halifax and captained Cronulla...
(1992–1994) - Mark McGawMark McGawMark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
(1992) - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1992, 1995–2000) - Danny LeeDanny Lee (rugby league)Danny Lee is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played most of his football at prop and was a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks NRL team from 1988 to 1998...
(1994) - Mitch HealeyMitch HealeyMitch 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...
(1995–1998, 2000) - Les DavidsonLes DavidsonLes Davidson is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and represented at both the State and national levels. His position of choice on the field was in the second row or as prop forward.Davidson...
(1996) - David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
(1998, 2000–2005) - Jason StevensJason StevensJason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
(2000–2002) - Andrew Pierce (2000)
- Chris BeattieChris Beattie (rugby league)Chris Beattie is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Lezignan Sangliers in the Elite One Championship rugby league competition in France.-Playing career:...
(2002) - Brett KimmorleyBrett KimmorleyBrett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
(2002–2007) - Paul GallenPaul GallenPaul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
(2007–2009 2010-present) - Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2008) - Trent BarrettTrent BarrettTrent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
(2009–2010) - Luke CovellLuke CovellLuke Covell is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. He also previously played for the Wests Tigers. His position of choice is on the...
(2009) - Luke DouglasLuke DouglasLuke Douglas is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League...
(2009-2010) on occasion
Club Icons
- Ray CorcoranRay CorcoranRay Corcoran is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He was a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club. His position of choice was on the wing. Corcoran's career total of 63 tries is currently the fifth highest total for the club, and was the highest when he retired in...
(1968–1975) - Greg PierceGreg PierceGreg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
(1968–1980) - Tommy BishopTommy BishopTommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
(1969–1973) - Rick BourkeRick BourkeRick Bourke was an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Bourke played 10 seasons for Cronulla at fullback including scoring their only try in the 1973 grand final....
(1972–1982) - Cliff WatsonCliff WatsonClifford H. Watson is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s. He played for the St. Helens rugby football club in the English Rugby Football League Championship and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in Australia. His position of...
(1971–1973) - Ken MaddisonKen MaddisonKen Maddison is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the St. George Dragons and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks . He was also a state and national representative, playing four Tests for...
(1972–1975) - Steve Rogers (1973–1982, 1985)
- Mick MullaneMick MullaneMick Mullane, Jr. is an Australian former rugby league player, who was a member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team. Mullane played fullback, and played in the 1978 grand final....
(1974–1983) - Steve KneenSteve KneenSteve Kneen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition. He was also selected on the 1978 tour to Britain with the Australian side but did not play in a Test...
(1976–1982) - Dane SorensenDane SorensenDane Hans Ivan Peter Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Sorensen represented New Zealand and his usual position was prop. He's the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Kurt Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
(1977–1983, 1985–1989) - David HatchDavid Hatch (rugby league)David Hatch is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team. Hatch played many games as captain of the Cronulla Sharks from 1978-1990. His position of choice was lock.-External links:*...
(1978–1990) - Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
(1980–1983, 1986–1992) - Barry RussellBarry Russell (Cronulla)Barry Russell is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the halves for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club of the NSWRL Premiership with whom he won the Rothmans Medal in 1988....
(1983–1991) - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1983–2000) - Mark McGawMark McGawMark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
(1984–1992) - Mitch HealeyMitch HealeyMitch 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...
(1988–2000) - Danny LeeDanny Lee (rugby league)Danny Lee is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played most of his football at prop and was a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks NRL team from 1988 to 1998...
(1988–1998) - Les DavidsonLes DavidsonLes Davidson is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and represented at both the State and national levels. His position of choice on the field was in the second row or as prop forward.Davidson...
(1991–1998) - Dean TreisterDean TreisterDean 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...
(1993–2003) - David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
(1993–2005) - Paul GreenPaul 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...
(1994–1998) - Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
(1994–2001) - Jason StevensJason StevensJason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop...
(1997–2005) - Preston CampbellPreston CampbellPreston Campbell, is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(1999–2002) - Paul GallenPaul GallenPaul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
(2001–present) - Phil BaileyPhil BaileyPhil Bailey is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the European Super League competition. Bailey is a former player for New South Wales and Australia. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Northern Eagles...
(2002–2006) - Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2002–2008) - Brett KimmorleyBrett KimmorleyBrett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
(2002–2008) - Luke CovellLuke CovellLuke Covell is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. He also previously played for the Wests Tigers. His position of choice is on the...
(2005–2010) - Luke DouglasLuke DouglasLuke Douglas is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League...
(2006–present) - Lance ThompsonLance ThompsonLance Thompson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for the St. George Dragons, the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Cronulla Sharks...
(2006–2008) - Trent BarrettTrent BarrettTrent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
(2009–2010)
Dream Team
Announced 2006Club Legends
Announced 2003- Cliff WatsonCliff WatsonClifford H. Watson is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s. He played for the St. Helens rugby football club in the English Rugby Football League Championship and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in Australia. His position of...
- Greg PierceGreg PierceGreg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
- Mark McGawMark McGawMark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
- Steve Rogers
- Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
- Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
- Tommy BishopTommy BishopTommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
- Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
- David HatchDavid Hatch (rugby league)David Hatch is a former member of the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team. Hatch played many games as captain of the Cronulla Sharks from 1978-1990. His position of choice was lock.-External links:*...
- David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
Dally M Medal
- Steve Rogers (1981)
- Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
(1988, 1989) - Preston CampbellPreston CampbellPreston Campbell, is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2001)
Rothmans Medal
- Terry HughesTerry Hughes (rugby league)Terry Hughes is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. After playing for the Wentworthville club in Sydney's second division, he was signed by first grade New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership club Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to be their halfback in their...
(1968) - Ken MaddisonKen MaddisonKen Maddison is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the St. George Dragons and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks . He was also a state and national representative, playing four Tests for...
(1973) - Steve Rogers (1975)
- Barry RussellBarry Russell (Cronulla)Barry Russell is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the halves for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club of the NSWRL Premiership with whom he won the Rothmans Medal in 1988....
(1988) - Gavin MillerGavin MillerGavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
(1989) - Paul GreenPaul 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...
(1995)
Club Player of the Year
- David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
(1997, 1999, 2001) - Danny NutleyDanny NutleyDanny Nutley is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin representative prop forward, he played his club football with the South Queensland Crushers, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Roosters in Australia, and with the Warrington Wolves...
(2005) - Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2006) - Paul GallenPaul GallenPaul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
(2007–2010)
Coaching staff
The current head coach of the club is Shane FlanaganShane Flanagan
Shane Flanagan is an Australian professional rugby league football coach. He was appointed assistant coach of NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the top position when former coach Ricky Stuart resigned on 20 July 2010.Flanagan played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg...
following the mid-season resignation of Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
in 2010.
Coaches register
- Ken KearneyKen KearneyKen "Killer" Kearney was an Australian rugby footballer – a dual-code international player – and a rugby league coach. He represented the Wallabies in seven Tests and the Kangaroos in thirty-one Test matches and World Cup games. He captained Australia in nine rugby league Test matches in 1956 and...
(1967–1969) - Tommy BishopTommy BishopTommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
(1970–1973, 1980) - Noel Thornton (1974)
- Johnny RaperJohnny RaperJohn Raper, MBE is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a lock forward for the Australia national team. He had a record 33 test caps between 1959 and 1968 and played in 6 World Cup games between 1960 to 1968...
(1975–1976) - Ted GlossopTed GlossopTed Glossop was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the St. George Dragons then went on to become a first-grade coach with Cronulla-Sutherland, Canterbury-Bankstown and St. George....
(1977) - Norm ProvanNorm ProvanNorm "Sticks" Provan is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. A giant of a man, he was a second-row forward with the St. George Dragons during their 11-year consecutive premiership-winning run from 1956 to 1966...
(1978–1979) - Greg PierceGreg PierceGreg Pierce is an Australian rugby league identity - a former player and coach and a current administrator. He played at Lock forward for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition and for Australian national side...
(1981–1982) - Terry FearnleyTerry FearnleyTerry Fearnley is an Australian former rugby league footballer and later coach. He was a long serving member of the NSWRFL's Eastern Suburbs team & , playing 144 matches for them at a bleak period in that club's existence. Injury kept him out of the 1960 grand final, one of the few successful...
(1983–1984) - Jack GibsonJack Gibson (rugby league)Jack Arthur Gibson OAM was an Australian rugby league identity – a player, commentator and most notably a coach...
(1985–1987) - Allan FitzgibbonAllan FitzgibbonAllan Fitzgibbon is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers between 1968 and 1970, and appeared in the 1969 Grand Final where the Tigers won in an upset against the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
(1988–1991) - Arthur BeetsonArthur BeetsonArthur Henry "Artie" Beetson, OAM , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia and Queensland from 1964 to 1981. His position was at prop. Beetson became the first Indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport. and is frequently cited as the best...
(1992–1993) - John LangJohn 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...
(1994–2001) - Chris Anderson (2002–2003)
- Stuart RaperStuart RaperStuart Raper is an Australian former professional rugby league player and coach. He has since become a sideline commentator for the NRL with Foxsports...
(2004–2006) - Ricky StuartRicky StuartRicky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
(2007–2010) - Shane FlanaganShane FlanaganShane Flanagan is an Australian professional rugby league football coach. He was appointed assistant coach of NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the top position when former coach Ricky Stuart resigned on 20 July 2010.Flanagan played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg...
(Mid 2010–Present
Career
Most Games- Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
328 - David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
232 - Mitch HealeyMitch HealeyMitch 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...
223 - Dane SorensenDane SorensenDane Hans Ivan Peter Sorensen is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Sorensen represented New Zealand and his usual position was prop. He's the brother of fellow Kiwi international, Kurt Sorensen, and the nephew of another pair of Kiwi brothers, Bill and Dave Sorensen...
216 - Danny LeeDanny Lee (rugby league)Danny Lee is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played most of his football at prop and was a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks NRL team from 1988 to 1998...
212
Most Points
- Steve Rogers 1255
- Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
1112 - Luke CovellLuke CovellLuke Covell is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. He also previously played for the Wests Tigers. His position of choice is on the...
894* - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
662 - Barry Andrews 657
Most Tries
- Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
165 - David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
110 - Steve Rogers 82
- Barry Andrews 75
- Ray CorcoranRay CorcoranRay Corcoran is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 70s. He was a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks club. His position of choice was on the wing. Corcoran's career total of 63 tries is currently the fifth highest total for the club, and was the highest when he retired in...
63
Season
Most Points- Brett KimmorleyBrett KimmorleyBrett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
(2002) 251 - Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
(2000) 212 - Luke CovellLuke CovellLuke Covell is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. He also previously played for the Wests Tigers. His position of choice is on the...
(2008) 206 - George TaylforthGeorge TaylforthGeorge Henry Taylforth is a British-born Australian former professional rugby league player for Canterbury-Bankstown and Cronulla-Sutherland, notable for his long-range goal-kicking.-Playing career:...
(1970) 202 - Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
(1997) 196
Most Tries
- David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
(1999) 19 - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1994) 18 - Brett HowlandBrett HowlandBrett 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...
(1999) 18 - Preston CampbellPreston CampbellPreston Campbell, is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2001) 17 - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1988) 17 - Chris Gardner (1983) 17
- David PeacheyDavid PeacheyDavid 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...
(2002) 17
Match
Most Points- Brett KimmorleyBrett KimmorleyBrett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
(2002) 28 v Newcastle - Steve Rogers (1977) 26 v Wests
- Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
(2000) 26 v Newcastle - Steve Rogers (1980) 24 v Balmain
- George TaylforthGeorge TaylforthGeorge Henry Taylforth is a British-born Australian former professional rugby league player for Canterbury-Bankstown and Cronulla-Sutherland, notable for his long-range goal-kicking.-Playing career:...
(1969) 24 v Canterbury
Most Tries
- Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1989) 5 v Illawarra - Andrew EttingshausenAndrew EttingshausenAndrew 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...
(1994) 5 v South Sydney - Greg BirdGreg BirdGregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
(2004) 5 v ???- Balmain?? (reserve grade) - Mat RogersMat RogersMatthew 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...
(1995) 4 v Newcastle