While it's easy to be disappointed in coming up just short of Grand Final appearances for our NRL and NRLW teams, on reflection the 2025 season was again a successful one.
With both teams qualifying for Preliminary Finals, and all five of our senior teams involved in the respective Finals series, highlighted by our NSW Women's Premiership side winning their Grand Final, and it was again a year to be proud of in relation to our performances on the field.
A football report with more detail will follow, however we offer congratulations to all teams, including our NSW Cup partner club the Newtown Jets, and thank all involved for your efforts and commitment throughout the year.
In recent events conducted and for those coming up, we held our presentation night at Doltone House last Thursday, while almost 400 attended our annual Grand Final Luncheon on Friday.
Two successful events; a big thank you to those on our staff who put many hours into their arrangement and well done to the award winners from all our teams as announced at the Porter Gallen Medal night.
See the football report below and CLICK HERE for more information as to our Porter Gallen night award winners. CLICK HERE to see photos and some of the highlights from the Grand Final luncheon.
In relation to other events on the schedule, coming up we have the AUSX Supercross, scheduled for October 25, with ticket sales very strong. For more information or to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
The interest again displays the potential our stadium has as a multi-use venue in the Sutherland Shire and further emphasises the need for grants and financial assistance to bring it up to modern standards and community expectations.
Those who have been in or around the Woolooware Bay Town Centre will have noticed construction, or at least demolition of the façade, has commenced and the Sharks Leagues Club build is underway.
Xenia Constructions are well into their work, are ahead of schedule and we look forward to tracking and reporting the progress to our members in the weeks and months ahead. See below a more detailed report.
Also, see following, Caras, the project management team overseeing the build, has provided an update relating to progress of the Sharks Leagues Club construction and fit out.
In other business, Sharks at Kareela bounced back after the golfing washout month of August, with trade and patronage very positive, especially since the sun has come back out and golfers have returned to the course. The Club has also been busy due in part to our two away Finals weekends, when Sharks members and fans attended in large numbers, making for a great in-club atmosphere.
You will also notice it is somewhat of a 'smoother welcome' for golfers and for members of Sharks at Kareela, after the completion of a much-needed pathway resurfacing project.
The new bitumen upgrade now provides a smooth, clean, and professional entrance to the golf course, creating an immediate lift in presentation as members and guests make their way through the pro shop to check in for their round.
Beyond aesthetics, the resurfacing represents a significant step forward in safety and accessibility, with the old, uneven surface replaced with a durable, slip-resistant finish that reduces the risk of injury, especially in wet weather. This investment by the Sharks is a clear commitment to both quality and care, delivering a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience every time golfers head out onto the golf course.
See following a photo of the resurfacing works.
Please continue to utilise the facilities at Sharks at Kareela which is, and will continue to be, our second home in the Sutherland Shire.
On the membership front, while we came up around 50 members short of reaching the 18,000 mark for the first time, 2025 was still a record year and one to build on next season and into the future. Thanks to all who have been on the ride with us this year, stay tuned to member communications relating to upcoming exclusive events and for 2026 renewals and we look forward to your continued support.
Commercially, we thank our majors, corporate and hospitality partners for their support and contribution this season. Although the majority of sponsor properties have been taken up for 2026, there are a number of partnership options remaining, so those interested are encouraged to please contact our Commercial department to discuss the opportunities.
Sharks Have Heart will continue throughout the off-season, with another successful School Holiday Clinic conducted on Wednesday last week. The boys and girls in attendance enjoyed a great day of footy fun.
In terms of merchandise, we have achieved impressive turnover numbers in 2025, with sales up 30 per cent on 2024, while sales in the Sharks Store in the Woolooware Bay Town centre were up 99 per cent when compared to last year at the old store location at Kareela. Turnover has exceeded $1million since the Sharks Store opening 14 months ago.
And despite football now taking a break, stay tuned to all our digital channels, not only to be entertained with off-season happenings relating to your Sharks NRL and NRLW teams, but also for information as to any upcoming events and what to look forward to next season.
Thanks again for your continued support, please read on below for a more comprehensive report relating to the Leagues Club construction, as well as a more detailed update on all matters football.
Sharks CEO
Dino Mezzatesta
Xenia Constructions
The project has continued to progress strongly this month, marking an important milestone with the successful demolition of the northern façade. This stage has transformed the site's appearance and created the foundation for the upcoming structural and façade works that will shape the building's new identity.
Following the completion of demolition, the team has been focused on preparing for the next phase of construction. Coordination and sequencing of key trades are now well underway to ensure a smooth transition into structural steel installation and the commencement of external works.
What's Coming Up
- Installation of northern façade structural steel
- Demolition of the eastern façade
- Installation of rain screen and flashings on the northern façade
These next steps will mark another period of visible progress on site, as the new northern façade begins to take form and the overall structure continues to evolve. The project remains firmly on track for the next major construction milestones and the fit-out phase scheduled for early 2026.
Caras Project Management
As the Sharks' Project Managers, our team continues to closely oversee all aspects of the project to ensure a smooth delivery on all fronts. We're maintaining strong oversight of WHS & environmental standards and practices, with regular site inspections and ongoing collaboration with Xenia's safety team to ensure a safe work environment. With the successful completion of the Northern façade demolition, we will closely monitor the commencement of the demolition works on the Eastern façade, along with the erection of the first structural steel members.
We are also supporting the design coordination and finalisation process, acting as the bridge between the Sharks and Xenia's consultants' team to resolve design queries promptly and maintain alignment with project objectives and design intent.
From a commercial perspective, we're tracking costs closely to ensure the Sharks obtain full value for money. In parallel, we're working with the Contractor to identify program efficiencies and potential opportunities to optimise delivery timeframes without compromising quality.
Last but not least, Caras continue to engage closely with multiple stakeholders (on and off site) to ensure clear communication, alignment of expectations, and timely resolution of project matters.
Football Update
The 2025 season came to an end one week short of a Grand Final appearance for our two most senior teams, with the NRL and NRLW Sharks bowing out in hard-fought preliminary finals losses.
After a win in Townsville in week one of the Finals, the NRLW Sharks went down in a thrilling contest by 17-16 to the Roosters, while the NRL boys, following a win at home over the Roosters, then a victory in Canberra, weren't quite good enough in a narrow loss to the Storm in the Grand Final qualifier.
Although disappointed to come so close, the just-completed season should be considered a positive one for both teams and leaves us well placed to build further on what was achieved in 2025.
In relation to our pathways teams, congratulations to our Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership side who won their Grand Final 18-12 against a highly favoured Newcastle team.
With a young playing group, most who have come though our junior development system, this was an outstanding result with many from that team set to push for places in the NRLW squad in the years ahead.
Similarly, plenty of talent is coming through the men's ranks, with the Jersey Flegg team, beaten in their Grand Final qualifier by the Panthers, boasting a host of talented young players, a number with the potential to move up into the NRL squad in the future.
Thanks to coaches, support staff and players from all teams, from the NRL and NRLW, to the NSW Women's Premiership and Jersey Flegg, not forgetting our partner club in the NSW Cup the Newtown Jets, for your efforts in 2025. No other club had all five senior teams play Finals football as we did, which is a great endorsement of the culture for success we have created here at the Sharks.
As for the Porter Gallen presentation night, which was touched on earlier in this update, congratulations to all award winners, in particular to Addin Fonua-Blake who took out the Porter Gallen Medal, and to Emma Verran, a popular and deserved recipient of the NRLW Player of the Year. CLICK HERE for more on the Porter Gallen Medal night winners.
While referencing individual awards and achievements, three Sharks players were included in Dally M Teams of the Year: Blayke Brailey as NRL Hooker of the Year, Addin Prop of the Year, while Ellie Johnston was named NRLW Prop of the Year. For Addin, it was the third successive year he has been selected in the NRL Team of the Year. It was a well-deserved accolade for all three players.
Also at the Dally M event, Rhiannon Byers was awarded the Veronica White Medal, the NRLW's most prestigious community award. We are very proud of Rhiannon who is a tireless worker in the community and a worthy recipient of this award.
Back to the Porter Gallen night and while primarily to celebrate our four senior Sharks teams, we also took the opportunity to farewell Josh Hannay who moves onto become head coach of the Gold Coast Titans. Josh has given great service and done an outstanding job in five years at the club, both as an assistant and when interim NRL head coach during the 2021 season, and we wish him every success in his new role.
Similarly, highly respected NRL physio Jackson Selby has accepted a position with the Sydney Swans. We also thank him for his efforts at the Sharks and send him off with our best wishes.
As for departing players, Daniel Atkinson is heading to the Dragons and local junior Kade Dykes to the Bulldogs. Thanks to both for your service and commitment at the Sharks and good luck with your footballing futures. Thanks also to the NRLW Sharks who will also move on in 2026.
With the NRL and NRLW seasons coming to a close, following exciting Grand Final wins by the Broncos in both competitions, the international rep season is now set to get underway and a massive congratulations goes to all Sharks players who have been selected to represent their respective countries.
Blayke Brailey has been named in the 24-man Kangaroos squad for three-Test series in the UK, his selection a just reward for his consistently high level of play, not only this season but throughout his NRL career.
Likewise, congratulations to four Sharks NRLW players, Quincy Dodd, Ellie Johnston, Emma Verran and Tiana Penitani Gray, named in the Jillaroos squad for matches in the Pacific Championships to be played against Samoa and New Zealand. Again, all well-deserved selections and good luck in these upcoming international fixtures.
Also named in the various international teams are Ronaldo Mulitalo and Briton Nikora, who will again play for New Zealand; Annesa Biddle, Brooke Anderson and Tyla King for the Kiwi Ferns; Addin Fonua-Blake, Sione Katoa and, in the women's team, Manilita Takapautolo for Tonga; and sisters Anne-Marie and Chantay Kiria-Ratu for the women's Cook Islands team and KL Iro for the men's.
Last but by no means least, Quincy Dodd has been given the honour of captaining the Prime Minister's XIII in the annual match against PNG, with Georgia Hannaway joining her as a member of that team.
Otherwise, all Sharks players and teams will take a well-earned break, however it won't be long until pre-season training resumes, with our junior pathway squads back in early November and our senior NRL group later in the month. The NRLW women, with a longer break until the commencement of their 2026 season, will return in the New Year.
