Cronulla Sharks 2026 season preview
2025 recap
The Sharks maintained their excellent consistency under Craig Fitzgibbon with a fourth-straight Finals appearance.
They got to within 80 minutes of a Grand Final too, but a 22-14 loss to Melbourne Storm saw their season come to an end.
2025 position: 5th
Key signings
None
Key departures
Daniel Atkinson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kade Dykes (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Players to watch
Nicho Hynes must be one of the most scrutinised players in the NRL, with the $1m man yet to lead this Sharks side to a Grand Final. This will be his fifth year in the Cronulla number seven jersey, and all eyes will be on him again as he looks to take them to a first Premiership since 2016.
Blayke Brailey had a career-best campaign in 2025, and his form was rewarded with a Kangaroos call-up for the Ashes tour. He was named Hooker of the Year at the Dally M Awards, and the challenge will be to back it up again in 2026.
Young gun
Harrison Hassett has been added to the Sharks’ extended squad in the off-season after being released by Penrith. The second rower played once in the NRL for the Panthers, and the Sharks have clearly seen something in the 21-year-old to throw an NRL lifeline his way.
Our prediction – 6th
There’s no reason to suspect anything other than another Finals appearance for the Sharks this year. They’ve been remarkably consistent in recent years, although depending on how you look at it, the lack of new faces is either a sign of a settled squad or a team that needs freshening up. A top eight spot looks a near-certainty for me though, but I’m not convinced they can take that next step to a Premiership.
