Stephanie Faulkner will create history as the first player to progress all the way through Cronulla's female pathways system when she makes her NRLW debut against the Raiders on Saturday.
Faulkner started her Sharks journey in an under-17 Lisa Fiaola Cup round-robin in 2022. She stepped up to the under-19 Tarsha Gale Cup the following season – earning the club's Female Junior Representative Player of the Year award – before making the leap to the open-age Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership in 2024.
After a season-ending knee injury to Filomina Hanisi, the homegrown lock has now been called into the first-grade side for this weekend's match at GIO Stadium.
"It's mind blowing. If I think about it for too long, I'll probably cry," Faulkner told sharks.com.au when asked what this piece of history means to her.
"I grew up going to Sharks games, supporting them. I didn't really think that it could be true – that I could play for them. I played different sports, then found rugby league. I fell in love with it. Debuting is literally a dream come true."
Starting with League Tag at the Engadine Dragons before transitioning to the tackle version of the sport at Cronulla-Caringbah, Faulkner has always had her eyes set on playing professionally one day. The 20-year-old was shocked and speechless when she received the amazing news of her NRLW selection from coach Tony Herman while surrounded by her teammates at a meeting on Tuesday.
Faulkner put forward a compelling case for a first-grade call-up with a two-try performance in the Harvey Norman team's win over the Eels last Thursday.
After being part of the wider NRLW squad as a development player during their run to last season's grand final, she feels more confident in her game than ever.
"Training with the girls the past year, I was sort of trying to find my feet a bit. I feel like this year, I've definitely instilled a lot more confidence," Faulkner said.
Fellow middle forward Brooke Anderson has been a mentor for Faulkner, with the Kiwi Ferns representative passing on her knowledge to the up-and-comer.
"The past two years I've been able to be under her wing," Faulkner said.
"She's really taken me under as a little sister, which has meant a lot, especially being in the same position," she added, also citing the likes of captain Tiana Penitani Gray and coach Herman as major influences on her burgeoning career.
"My game, my love of rugby league and just my knowledge of the game has grown tenfold. I love being under them," she continued.
Herman described Faulkner's debut as a "landmark moment for the club".
"She's the first girl that's come through our full system," Herman said.
"She played Lisa Fiaola, she played Tarsha Gale, she played Harvey Norman, NRLW development (contract), NRLW top 24 and now she debuts.
"Really excited to see what she brings on Saturday. It's pretty special for the club."
Promisingly, Faulkner is one of six players from last year's Tarsha Gale team included in the 2025 NRLW training squad alongside Jaydika Tafua, Manilita Takapautolo, Leki Leilua, Tia-Jordyn Vasilovski and Olivia Herman.
"To come so far so soon for those six girls is awesome," coach Herman said.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what they'll do in the future. It's a big thing for us to try and keep those girls and we'll be trying really hard.
"It speaks volumes to the programs and the pathways that have been set up here."
As a local junior who turned her goals into reality, Faulkner has strong advice for young girls: "Dream big. The opportunities are there now.
"Work hard, have energy, and just dream big and have that belief in yourself."
