LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Cameron McInnes, the lock forward for the Cronulla Sharks, has made a surprising admission regarding the team's competitive window for a premiership. He indicated that the Sharks' opportunity to claim a title might be closing in.
For many seasons, the Sharks have consistently placed in the top eight of the NRL standings, yet they have struggled to advance beyond the preliminary finals for nearly ten years. Their last triumph came in 2016 when they defeated the Melbourne Storm in the grand final, breaking a long-standing premiership drought.
Recently, the Sharks have reached the preliminary finals twice but have been unable to secure victories to earn a spot in the championship match. In the 2025 finals, they faced the Melbourne Storm again, but their chances were hampered by the absence of their captain and defensive leader, McInnes. With several players set to become free agents after the 2026 season, McInnes expressed concerns about the future of the team during an interview with SEN Radio.
"We've been together for a while now, so a sense of urgency might be a strong way to put it, but we definitely know that there's only so many shots you get as a group," McInnes stated during the SEN 1170 Breakfast show. "Guys have to move on and things like that so we're probably getting to that point."
Ultimately, McInnes's reflections highlight the pressing need for the Sharks to capitalize on their current roster and seize any remaining opportunities for a premiership run.