The Cronulla Sharks are preparing for a major overhaul within the team, as 16 players are currently without contracts beyond 2026, leading to potential departures.
"It's going to be inevitable, we won't be able to keep everyone," stated Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta during the club's season launch this week.
"It just won't work. And I think as a message for the younger boys coming through, they need to know that they're going to have their chance as well."
The existing squad is supported by several long-term contracts.
Blayke Brailey remains under contract until 2030, while Nicho Hynes and Kurtley Iro are committed through 2029. Braydon Trindall, Ronald Mulitalo, and Adin Fonua-Blake each have deals that last until 2028, and head coach Craig Fitzgibbon's contract runs until 2027.
Despite this, many key players are set to have their contracts end in 2026, representing a collective total of 1,042 NRL games played.
This group includes notable names like Cameron McInnes, Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, and Braden Hamlin-Uele, among others.
Mezzatesta pointed out the challenges of keeping veteran players while also integrating new talent into the roster.
"So it is probably time that we start looking at who's coming through the ranks."