Try-scoring sensation Sam Stonestreet will continue his promising career at the Sharks after inking a one-year extension until the end of 2026.
The retention of the lightning-fast winger is coupled with the exciting news that up-and-coming centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu has re-signed through to 2028.
Stonestreet, a local junior from the De La Salle Caringbah club, has notched up 16 tries in as many NRL appearances since earning his debut last season.
The speed machine played in Cronulla's first 11 games this year, crossing the line eight times, before a syndesmosis injury led to a stint on the sidelines.
Having successfully returned in the NSW Cup with the Newtown Jets in Round 19, the 23-year-old is biding his time for another opportunity at the top level.
"We're extremely pleased to have a talented local junior like Sam staying at the club," Sharks General Manager Football Darren Mooney said.
"Sam has been in our pathways system from a young age and was named our Junior Representative Player of the Year in 2021. It's been great to see him kick on and live out his dream of playing in the NRL for the Sharks.
"He's acquitted himself well at the top level so far and we’re excited to see where Sam can take his game in 2026 ."
Stonestreet started out in Cronulla's Harold Matthews squad as a 16-year-old and quickly established himself as a player of the future. He graduated to the senior grades with the Jets in 2022, enhancing his reputation as a flying finisher.
The flanker played a key role in Newtown's historic premiership success last season, scoring 13 tries. He memorably touched down in front of his family and friends at Sharks Stadium on NRL debut against the Cowboys in Round 7, 2024.
"The club means the world to me, I'm a local junior and I'm excited to be extending my time here," Stonestreet said.
"Fitzy has been big for me and all the boys, I'm learning every day and I'm looking to develop my game further. I've also got the likes of Ronnie (Mulitalo) and Sione (Katoa) to look up to; they're showing me the ropes and I'm always learning from them as well."
Meanwhile, Laine-Sietu is rated as one of the club's most promising prospects, having represented the Maroons in the under-19 State of Origin arena earlier this year.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Redcliffe in Queensland, joined the Sharks prior to the start of the 2025 junior representative season, making an immediate impression with a series of standout performances in the SG Ball competition.
Joining the Jersey Flegg squad mid-season, Laine-Sietu has since made a major contribution to the success of the second-placed Sharks side.
"Prestyn has risen to every challenge he has faced since joining the Sharks," Mooney began.
"He had an outstanding year in the SG Ball competition, producing a season in which he was named our Junior Rep Player of the Year and since then he has continued to perform against older boys at Jersey Flegg level.
"He was also a standout playing for Queensland in the 19s Origin match, he has now joined our fulltime NRL training group, and we have high hopes for where Prestyn might be able to take his game in the future."
Laine-Sietu has adjusted to life in the Sutherland Shire and looks forward to taking his game to new levels in the years to come.
"I'm pretty excited to be living in the Shire. I've been living here for the past year and I've enjoyed every moment. I'm excited to see what the club can do in the future," Laine-Sietu said.
"My goals going forward are to learn off the older boys, take in as much as I can and keep learning. This is home now. Thanks to the club for giving me the opportunity."
