Feel that?
It's the buzz of a new season fast approaching - 2024 is just days away and the Sharks are gearing up for another tilt at the NRL title.
After back-to-back finals appearances under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, the outlook in the Sutherland Shire is bright for a multitude of reasons.
Continuity the key for tight-knit team
There's crucially been very little turnover at the Sharks, the coaching staff and vast majority of the playing group remaining intact as they strive for the ultimate goal.
With cohesion and connection already established, the team are primed to hit the ground running and prove themselves among the competition's heavyweights.
Excitingly, more attacking improvement can be expected given five-eighth Braydon Trindall, who became the first-choice No.6 by the end of last season, will benefit from having fullback Will Kennedy back fit and firing.
Kennedy suffered a season-ending hamstring injury just as his good mate Trindall was establishing himself in the starting line-up. The proud Indigenous pair know each other's games inside out having combined to win the NSW Cup premiership with Newtown in 2019.
Considering the Sharks ranked fourth in 2023 with an average of 25.2 points per match (including finals), it's a scary proposition that they could get even slicker.
Rich depth provides plenty of options
Former captain Wade Graham (retired), veteran playmaker Matt Moylan (signed for Leigh in the UK Super League) and the versatile Connor Tracey (Bulldogs) are among the few departures.
While their experience will be missed, the Sharks are well-equipped to fill the void.
The gifted Trindall, having usurped Moylan in the pecking order in 2023, now has a perfect opportunity to fully cement himself as Nicho Hynes' halves partner. Aged 24, following a lengthy apprenticeship, "Tricky" possesses all the tools to succeed.
He'll continue to face healthy competition, however, with impressive rookie Kade Dykes returning from an ACL injury, Italian international Daniel Atkinson applying pressure and former junior Panthers star Niwhai Puru also waiting in the wings.
Graham was an outstanding leader, but the club can count on the likes of Dale Finucane, Cam McInnes, Blayke Brailey, Hynes and Kennedy to show the way.
Both able to play multiple positions, a fit Dykes or Atkinson loom as options to fill Tracey's role as the team's resident utility.
The dynamic Kayal Iro, the 2022 NSW Cup Player of the Year, has been pressing for a backline spot for some time and could also come into the equation.
Meanwhile, ex-Panther and Dragon Billy Burns has joined the club and will provide handy second-row depth in the absence of Graham, backing up Briton Nikora and Teig Wilton. Strong young forward Jesse Colquhon can also capably play on an edge and in the middle.
Young guns pushing for selection
The Sharks Academy continues to produce NRL talent, with an exciting crop of future first graders putting their hand up for selection.
While breaking into the top 17 won’t be easy, young guns including towering winger Sam Stonestreet, the elusive Iro and Dykes are touted for big things and will be ready if they get their chance throughout 2024.
As hulking prop Tom Hazelton showed in playing an impressive 18 matches last season after just one the year prior, coach Fitzgibbon knows how and when to get the best out of his rookies.
