Cronulla's plan to turn painful memories into premiership glory

The Sharks are adamant their premiership window remains open as they look to use the pain of back-to-back preliminary final defeats as motivation for a title charge in 2026. 

Cronulla have enjoyed remarkable roster stability throughout the past few years as they have steadily grown into a premiership force. A grand final berth, however, has so far remained out of the grip of the current squad. 

That fact, and a desire to emulate the club's sole championship team 10 years on from a drought-breaking title, are driving the side through the early weeks of pre-season and into 2026. 

"We showed what we're capable of at the back end of the year," coach Craig Fitzgibbon said. "It really stung not to go on with it last year, more so than [2024]. There's a bit more belief in our bones heading into next year. 

"We were a bit more authentic last year and have gradually got better each year. We're finally starting to understand what it takes and that's why we've got so close. 

"When you can get so close and have an opportunity in games, there's a lot of work that's got to go in to get that opportunity again. We're aware of that, we understand how much it hurts because those opportunities are hard to get."

Fitzgibbon was talking at the unveiling of a new name for the Sharks home ground. The venue will now be known as Ocean Protect Stadium for the next three years. 

The partnership brings together two Sutherland Shire organisations determined to leave a lasting impact on the local community. 

Cronulla's rookies and emerging squad members have commenced pre-season, with the big names to start returning in the next fortnight. 

There are few new faces at the club, with young guns Harrison Hassett and Xavier Cacciotti among a small group of recruits. 

Utility Daniel Atkinson is the only topline departure, with Fitzgibbon expected to roll out the same lineup that progressed to the 2025 preliminary final. 

While new recruits attract plenty of headlines, the coach said stability is the key to winning pushing for a premiership. 

"The beauty for us is we've been quite stable," Fitzgibbon said. "We had Addin [Fonua-Blake] last year and we've got a couple of younger players join us this year. 

"Pressure's going to come from within our squad. The guys know we've stuck together, we've got really close but not close enough. We've got to reassert our level and we've got to find a new level. There is excitement to work on getting back there and getting slightly better and we're looking forward to it."

The stability on offer for the Sharks in 2026 is followed by plenty of uncertainty for 2027, with 17 players off contract at the end of next season.

Cronulla face a battle to retain the likes of Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien and Braden Hamlin-Uele as rival clubs circle and the Perth Bears look to build a roster for their inaugural season. 

While they're eager to keep the squad together, Fitzgibbon recognises it might not be possible to do so. 

The situation has left many fans wondering if 2026 is Cronulla's last chance to break through before the premiership window slams shut. 

Skipper Blayke Brailey is confident that is not the case and is eager to lead the club through a lengthy period of success. 

"The years after 2026 we'll still have opportunities," Brailey said. "I can see us only getting stronger in the next few years. 

"It's fitting it's the 10-year reunion since the 2016 grand final and we're looking to raise the trophy again. We'll dive into that and take some key themes and lessons out of that year and hopefully we can put them into our 2026 season."