In a season which had its moments, the Sharks winning 10 of 20 before finishing on a disappointing note in Canberra last Saturday night, some exciting new talent was unearthed, while a handful of the more experienced campaigners stood up to be counted.
Injuries played their part, most recently in the elimination finals loss to the Raiders when hooker Blayke Brailey limped from the field with 10 minutes remaining in the first half and his team ahead by eight, however the Sharks battled through to the first week of the finals before bowing out.
For all 20 weeks of the regular season we have given members and fans the opportunity to voice your opinion, to have your say as to the Sharks best in each game.
And while there were a number of standout performers on the year, you identified one in particular as the Sharks best, with Shaun Johnson coming out on top as the Fan Poll Player of the Year for 2020.
Despite missing three games from round 15 with a hamstring issue, then the Sharks last game before finals after rupturing his Achilles, Johnson led the NRL for try assists with 23 on the year, while kicking 56 goals, at a success rate of 77 per cent, and scoring two tries.
In his second season at the Sharks, it was an example of what the Kiwi international is capable of, with fans and coaching staff both looking forward to what 2021 might bring once Johnson overcomes the serious injury suffered late in the year.
Johnson polled 24 points from his 16 games to edge out another of the older statesmen in the Cronulla squad in Josh Dugan who with 23 fan poll votes was a close second in the Fan Poll Player of the Year.
After missing the opening two weeks of the year Dugan ran out for 16 of the remaining 19 games, before being rested the week prior to the Raiders finals match up in a bid to freshen him up for the sudden death clash, with his rock solid defense and hard charges with ball in hand a feature of his performances.
In third place on the year-long poll count it was young front rower Toby Rudolf, in what was his rookie season in the NRL, who earned the respect and attention of Sharks fans.
Rudolf, like Dugan rested from the Sharks round 20 match, polled 12 votes from his 19 games, two points ahead of Siosifa Talakai who was another to enjoy an outstanding year in his first in Cronulla colours.
In all 17 players attracted points in the 3-2-1 system in identifying the player of the year, in an indication the Sharks received contributions from all in their squad during a challenging 2020 season.
Congratulations to Shaun Johnson as the Fan Poll Player of the Year and see below the final 2020 points table.
Sharks Fan Poll Player of the Year
Shaun Johnson – 24
Josh Dugan – 23
Toby Rudolf – 12
Siosifa Talakai – 10
Wade Graham – 7
Sione Katoa – 6
Will Kennedy – 6
Braydon Trindall – 5
Ronaldo Mulitalo – 4
Blayke Brailey – 4
Connor Tracey – 4
Royce Hunt – 3
Jesse Ramien – 3
Briton Nikora – 3
Daniel Vasquez – 3
Scott Sorensen – 1
