The Sharks are pleased to confirm the club's Harold Matthews (Under 17) and SG Ball Cup (Under 19) squads for 2026.
After building momentum in trials against Parramatta, Western Suburbs and Canterbury, Cronulla's male Junior Representative sides will face Newcastle in Round 1 matches at Maitland Sports Ground on Sunday, February 8.
SG Ball coach Chad Townsend, who is taking hold of the clipboard for the first time after a stellar playing career, is optimistic about what the campaign may bring.
"I'm really proud of what we've done in the pre-season," Townsend said.
"As a group, I think we've bought in. We've got a really connected team and we've had some outstanding results with our 1.2km time trial and a heap of personal-best speeds, so we're fitter and faster than we've been before.
"That's a credit to the boys, the hard work they've put in, our staff and the program we've put together. The closeness of everyone has been a real key feature of our pre-season. We're ready to go. Ultimately, we will have to earn everything we get.
"We've been very focused on our defence this pre-season and that's going to be one of our big focuses as we head in towards the season.
"There's been some tremendous individuals. I don't really want to name names at this stage, but all the guys who have put their hand up have earned their way into our squad and will earn their way into our team.
"I'm really excited about being involved and the rollercoaster of being on the other side in the coach's box is something I'm really looking forward to."
Townsend's SG Ball squad includes Australian Schoolboys representatives Tom Dellow (pictured above), Callum Grantham and Jake White. Dellow and Grantham are set to reap the benefits of training with the NRL squad over the summer.
Harold Matthews coach Brad Kelly is similarly positive about his team's growth, though he anticipates a steep development curve for the Under 17 outfit.
While the side's preparation was impacted by having a trial against Western Suburbs cancelled midway through due to inclement weather, Kelly has been impressed with the attitude of his players throughout a long pre-season.
"At this stage of the year, we're itching for the comp to start," he said.
"The boys have been training for 11 weeks now. It's a long time of training and not having games to look forward to, but they've been working hard.
"They're enthusiastic, they've bought into what we're doing, and while they're still pretty young and there's a fair bit of learning and teaching involved in what we're trying to do, I'm sure they're ready and raring to go for next weekend.
"It's just a good opportunity for the boys that have been hoping to play Junior Reps over the last couple of years to get their crack at it and to play the highest level you can play in New South Wales. I'm sure they're waiting with anticipation.
"They're a very young side. There's going to be a lot of boys that are still a year young for Harold Matts in the team, so a mixture of 16 and 17-year-olds.
"But those young guys have earned their spot in the squad and those that play next weekend have earned their spot in the team as well.
"While they are young, they're all good players and I'm looking forward to seeing them come up against some equally good opposition."
See the squads below.
SG BALL
Marcus Ah Loo
Thomas Beattie
Hemi Blackburn-Kingi
Liam Bova
Jett Brookfield
Liam Challenor
Jamie Curran
Isaac Dawson
Jyarah Delaney
Thomas Dellow
Daniel Feki
Hudsyn Frost
Callum Grantham
Nukutawhiti Gray
Jaylan Herron
Bronson Homsy
Viliame Koroitamana
Oliver Lester
Vakapuna Mataele
Conor Murphy
Cruz Parkin
Luca Pirrello
Brock Prideaux
Kingston Pupeke-Robati
Zion Sitani
Thomas Stepic
Spencer Swann
Duquan Talaepa
Samisoni Tapui
Sidney Truong
Kaylan Turner
Blake Watman
Ruben Webb
Jake White
HAROLD MATTHEWS
Gabriel Asmar
Jayden Best
Lenny Bucher
Koa Cooper
Tyrell Dudley
Randy Ennis
Harper Evans
Talakai Fauonuku
Kilifi Fetuuaho
Nate Horsey
Chad Kamara
Hamilton Kingi
Tahi Leef
Ryan Lillis
Logan Longbottom
Jack McKevett
Ethan Mullins
Axel Murphy
Eparame Neemia
Jett Nisbet
Chace Nisbet
Reuben Pale Eli
Savenaca Raicama
Charlie Sasse
Zach Sheehan
Cooper Shephard
Chase Junior Stanley
Ashton Taylor
Jacob Watson
William Webber
Jack Whitaker
Haiden Wooldridge
Xavier Young
