Cronulla's Indigenous NRL and NRLW players will draw strength from their cultural totems in a landmark double-header against the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In celebration of Indigenous Round – which spans the next two weekends – both Sharks teams will wear a striking strip designed by renowned Aboriginal artist Jordan Ardler. After closely consulting the NRL and NRLW playing groups, Ardler incorporated animals connected to each player on the back of the jersey.
The Sharks have six First Nations NRL squad members – Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall, Jesse Ramien, Will Kennedy, Niwhai Puru and Hohepa Puru – while NRLW players Quincy Dodd, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Caitlan Johnston-Green, Jada Taylor, Rhiannon Byers and Tommaya Kelly-Sines are also Indigenous.
"The totems of each Indigenous player and/or their Indigenous partners are represented in the jersey to show they are an integral part of the team and the community," said Ardler, who has crafted the Sharks' Indigenous kit since 2023.
"They are seen at the back to showcase how each player's family, community and culture have been a driving force to push them to be their best in their lives and now at our club. Each of us has experienced life differently."
Ardler's design prominently features a humpback whale – a totem of the Cronulla area upon which the Sharks live and play – as well as intricate patterns representing the landforms and surrounding oceans of Dharawal country.
It carries the weight of our community's history and resilience.
Sharks star Quincy Dodd on what it means to wear an Indigenous jersey
Retired Sharks premiership hero Andrew Fifita, a Wiradjuri man, explained the elements of Ardler's design to the NRL squad earlier this week.
"It's really special and important to me to have a jersey and an Indigenous Round," five-eighth Trindall, a Gomeroi-Muruwari man, said on Wednesday.
Round 23 Media: Braydon Trindall
"It's a great thing to represent my people and where I come from. I've got a few brothers (in the team) that are around from where I'm from. It's good to put the jersey on with them and run out and do our people proud."
Centre Ramien believes Indigenous Round provides a vital platform for the game's First Nations stars to share their stories and on-field prowess.
"It's massive. It's a very important round for me," Ramien began.
"What it means for myself, our people, our accomplishments and everything our game does for us and gives us... It's a way to showcase our talents and celebrate our culture on the big stage. In saying that, like anything, I still think there's levels to go. But I think they (the NRL) have done an amazing job, for sure."
NRLW gun Dodd, who has captained the Indigenous All Stars on several occasions, is grateful for the opportunity to celebrate her rich culture.
"There's so much more meaning behind this jersey, in particular to our team and the players in it but also the history of the community," the hooker said.
"I'm a proud Booraborringal woman from the Dharug nation and my totem's a possum. That's what the women in my area and my mob sacrificed with.
"The men are a different totem to us. Sometimes at night when I see possums, I get that feeling in my system about the connection that I have with a possum.
“What it means to wear the Cronulla Sharks Indigenous jersey starts with connection to my culture – a way of honouring our ancestors and a source of pride and strength. It carries the weight of our community's history and resilience."
While she won't take the field, the occasion is no less significant for new mum Johnston-Green, who has also had the honour of leading the Indigenous All Stars.
"Wearing this year's Indigenous jersey means more than just representing a team; it's about honouring my culture, carrying the strength of my ancestors and showing pride in where I come from," the Awabakal and Gamilaroi woman said.
"Being represented on this year's jersey fills me with a deep sense of pride, as I represent my family and hope to inspire the next generation of young Indigenous girls and boys."
CLICK HERE to shop the 2025 Sharks Indigenous range.
Lead image: Caitlan Johnston-Green and Nicho Hynes.
Trindall and Ramien quotes courtesy of SharkCast Podcast.
