For many rugby league enthusiasts, 1975 marks a landmark season – the year colour television brought the game to life in a way never seen before.
Gone were the days of black-and-white broadcasts; suddenly, the vivid blues, reds, and greens of team jerseys stood out with brilliant clarity. Mascots once muted now danced across screens in full colour, and the crowd – once a blurry backdrop – became a vital part of the spectacle. Waving banners, brightly coloured supporter gear, and the animated sea of fans added a new dimension to the experience.
But for Cronulla Sharks fans, 1975 represents more than just the flick of a switch on the TV dial. It marks the beginning of something special – a determined group of young men carving their place in club history.
This year marks 50 years since the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks claimed their first senior premiership: the 1975 Under-23s title, led by coach Ted Robinson. On Saturday, many of the players reunited for a special reunion at Sharks at Kareela.
Few could have foreseen the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks' maiden premiership in 1975, especially after a shaky start to the season. Losses to the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs in the opening rounds painted a challenging road ahead. However, what followed was nothing short of sensational – the team recovered remarkably, losing just two more matches for the rest of the regular season and finishing on top of the premiership ladder.
Defeating the Balmain Tigers 19-13 in the Major Semi Final provided a saloon passage through to the season's decider. Tries to Mick Mullane and Tony Graham, which were both converted by winger Greg Hale, gave the Sharks a half-time lead. Second-rower John Hancock dived over in the second half to put the game beyond the Tigers' reach. Balmain hit back through tries to Col Gorton and Peter McMillan, narrowing the gap, but the Sharks held on to claim an important victory.
The Tigers beat the Bulldogs the following week, booking a date with the Sharks in the Grand Final.
Balmain led 3-2 early in the match when winger Gary Thomson finished off a 60-metre backline move. The Sharks, however, struck back nearly instantly and took a 12-3 lead into the half-time break.
Balmain scored early in the second half, and it looked like an upset was on the cards before the Sharks kicked into gear.
Dashing fullback 'Missile' Mullane was the star of the show, finishing the game with two tries and a try assist. It was evident that day that Mullane was destined for higher honours at the Sharks.
Another standout performer for the Sharks was five-eighth Graham Beasley who finished on top of his opponent, the highly rated Denis Bendall. Beasley scored a great try and was a constant threat all game.
In the 1975 Big League Annual Report, coach Ted Robinson said: "Just a tremendous bunch of young men who know how to play as a team. They listen to instructions and when I look on as coach, I told the players my job was to get them into a higher grade."
True to his word, that is exactly what Robinson did. Nine players in Robinson's side also played first grade that season, while another nine played reserve grade. Remarkably, Robinson used 40 players on his march to the title; success not often found with such a turnover of players.
A large amount of the side's success was attributed to former coach Monty Porter, who implemented a rule that only local juniors would be eligible to player Under 23s.
This victory was more than just a title – it was a defining moment for the club. It signalled that Cronulla was building a strong foundation, developing young players who would go on to shape its future. This became evident with a number of players from this squad featuring in the 1978 First Grade Grand Final against Manly and then also claiming the 1979 Amco Cup, the club's first piece of First Grade silverware.
