It wasn’t the way the Sharks NRLW side anticipated their 2026 campaign to unfold, with a mammoth stack of injuries meaning a different 17 was fielded each week.
Finishing up in ninth place, the season could be looked at as one to forget; however, it has also come with many milestones and individual achievements that will be remembered fondly.
The adversity, if anything, proved a testament to how hard everyone was willing to work for each other, playing out of position, and willing to do whatever it took for the team.
Head coach Tony Herman likes to think of injuries with a woman up, not woman down mentality, and this season saw five NRLW debutants (Madison Ashby, Koffi Brookfield, Milla Elaro, Marewa Samson and Olivia Herman), and two club debutants (China Polata and Najvada George) ran out as Sharks.
“I’m so proud of them, and I think every one of them has done so well. They’ve really stood up, and hopefully they can keep building from here,” said prop Ellie Johnston.
Switching codes from Rugby Union, Madison Ashby returned to where her footy journey began, the Aussie 7s star having been a part of the Sharks premiership-winning Tarsha Gale team in 2018, alongside some current teammates.
Adding to the milestones, Captain Tiana Penitani Gray, Vice-Captain Quincy Dodd, and Blues star Ellie Johnston all notched up their 50th NRLW games. It was a special moment for the pair of Captains, whose career highlights fell on the same match.
“They are two incredible players and great leaders of our club, and it’s special that they get to bring up this milestone together,” Herman expressed ahead of the Round 5 battle.
Etched on the ladder for Cronulla were eight losses and three wins, two of those back-to-back in the final rounds of the competition, indicating some promising form which will hopefully be picked up again at the start of next year.
Additionally, all players have noted that a longer season and longer pre-season would greatly benefit the superwomen of our game, the mothers and those battling injury.
One of our own, Talei Holmes, worked harder than ever to make a comeback in round eight, just four months after giving birth to her daughter, and played all the remaining games to follow.
“(We need) Longer season, longer pre-season, more time to build their seasons out,” Penitani Gray added.
It was a great year for the club in the representative space, with Tiana Penitani Gray and Ellie Johnston playing in the Blues State of Origin win, and Chantay Kiria-Ratu impressing in her first full series with Queensland.
Johnston also received NSW Women's Origin Award at the Brad Fitler Medal a few ago, a special moment of recognition for all she does on and off the field.
Overall, despite the result on the ladder, the hurdles faced this year will undoubtedly bring enhanced resilience and connection in the seasons to follow, and the opportunities that the junior members of the team have had are pushing the female program in the best direction for the future.
Wrapping up, the Sharks would like to thank their NRLW Partners who have supported the girls week in, week out.
Quest Apartment Hotels
Ocean Protect
Classic Sportswear
Tyrepower
BSC
Gold Management Building & Facilities
Car Park King
Think Renewable
Stewart Toyota
Stay tuned on our social media for more NRLW information over the off-season.
