LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Cronulla Sharks are set to make another push for success in 2026.
Essentially, the team, donned in black, white, and blue, possesses the caliber to compete in the finals and vie for the premiership, yet they haven't reached the grand final since 2016.
The past two seasons have been particularly tough, with heartbreaking exits in consecutive preliminary finals.
Heading into 2025, many speculate that the Sharks were just "one big-name forward away from glory." However, while Addin Fonua-Blake's signing aimed to propel the team forward, it ultimately stretched the salary cap without delivering the coveted premiership.
This perspective might come off as harsh and is by no means a criticism of Fonua-Blake's contributions. Nonetheless, the Sharks now find themselves in a challenging position to maintain their talent pool while lacking a silverware to showcase.
Despite this, as they head into 2026, the team appears to be in a relatively stable situation. Coach Fitzgibbon has a wealth of youthful players at his disposal and may consider implementing changes throughout the upcoming season.
Here are the selection challenges the Cronulla Sharks face as they enter 2026.