Cameron McInnes will share the leadership load with Blayke Brailey in 2026 after the influential duo were officially installed as co-captains at the Sharks' season launch on Monday morning.
McInnes, who has fearlessly led Cronulla for the past two years, is on the comeback trail after rupturing his ACL towards the end of last season.
The veteran forward's injury gave ironman hooker Brailey the opportunity to step up as skipper for the first time in 2025. The proud local junior took the added responsibility in his stride, spurring the team to a second-straight preliminary final.
With both men having proved to be inspirational commanders, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has opted to return to the co-captain model he last employed when McInnes and retired lock Dale Finucane split the role at the beginning of 2024.
The announcement was made during a private function at The Pines in Cronulla in front of the Sharks NRL squad, staff, corporate partners and dignitaries.
Having watched the unflappable Brailey evolve into a representative-calibre star, McInnes is proud to halve the captaincy with the 27-year-old dummy-half.
"It's always a huge honour," McInnes, 32, said.
"It's such a special group and I feel like we're really on the verge of something happening. To be able to have a part in leading the group is a huge privilege.
"The way Blayke goes about it in his own way brings such a calmness to the group. The ability to be yourself and influence the group, that's what leadership is."
A lifelong Sharks supporter, Brailey once dreamed of skippering his boyhood club and is over the moon to work in tandem with the ultra-professional McInnes.
"Growing up, I saw some of the great captains of this club in Gal (Paul Gallen) and Wade (Graham)," Brailey said. "Now, to have Fitzy put his trust in me and to stand beside Cam is a really special feeling. I'm extremely grateful."
With McInnes in the final stetch of his knee rehab, Brailey will lead the Sharks out when they host the Gold Coast Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium on Saturday, March 7 to kick off a massive premiership campaign.
