Cronulla has the squad to do great things, especially if Nicho Hynes continues in his ascendancy to among the very, very elite, but without reinforcements and with every team knowing their tricks, things won’t be easy.
The Sharks do have big names coming in soon, not least Adin Fonua-Blake in 2025, but that’s a whole twelve months away and there are more than two dozen games to play between now and then.
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The club’s high-flying second-place finish feels like a dream now after a year back in reality, with sixth probably around the leave Cronulla can muster right now as Fitzgibbon and Hynes learn how to lead a team into the very heart of the premiership—and look to take down the gargantuan threats looming.
Last year’s finish: Sixth (elim finals), 14 wins and 10 losses
Last ten NRL campaigns: 6th (elim), 2nd (semi), 9th, 8th (qualifying), 7th (qualifying), 4th (prelim), 5th (qualifying), 3rd (premiers), 6th (semi), spoon
Predicted Round 1 lineup
- Will Kennedy
- Sione Katoa
- Siosifa Talakai
- Jesse Ramien
- Ronaldo Mulitalo
- Braydon Trindall
- Nicho Hynes
- Braden Hamlin-Uele
- Blayke Brailey
- Toby Rudolf
- Briton Nikora
- Teig Wilton
- Dale Finucane
- Cameron McInnes
- Royce Hunt
- Tom Hazelton
- Jack Williams
Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon
Biggest losses: Wade Graham, Connor Tracey Biggest gains: Billy Burns
How 2024 is looking for Cronulla
The biggest thing that will help the Sharks is how nice their early season is. Outside an early away trip to New Zealand—which itself is nice to get over and done straight away—the Cronulla squad play three weak sides in the Bulldogs, Tigers, and Raiders before getting to recupe with the bye.
That early lead, which should be six points if not eight, will help the Sharks keep the pressure away, but at some stage in the season that pressure is going to boil up regardless. The Sporting Base can’t see Nicho’s magic carrying Fitzgibbon’s men much beyond the first week of finals.
Predicted 2024 finish: 7th
First five: Warriors (A), Bulldogs (H), Tigers (A), Raiders (H), BYE
TopSport odds: Premiers $21, Make Top 4: $3.60, Make Final 8: $1.75, Miss The Top 8: $2.05
Pass mark: Make the finals looking like challengers.
