Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 

Club information
Full name	Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football Club Ltd
Nickname(s)	Sharks, Sharkies
Website	sharks.com.au
Colours	Sky blue      White      Black
Founded	1963 as Cronulla-Caringbah 1967 in New South Wales Rugby League
Current details
Ground(s)	Endeavour Field (15,000)
Coach	Craig Fitzgibbon
Captain	Cameron McInnes
Competition	National Rugby League
2024 season	4th
Uniforms
Home colours Away colours
Records
Premierships	1 (2016)
Runners-up	3 (1973, 1978, 1997)
Minor premiership	2 (1988, 1999)
Wooden spoons	3 (1967, 1969, 2014)
Most capped	348 - Paul Gallen
Highest points scorer	1,255 - Steve Rogers

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are a professional rugby league club from Southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. They play in the National Rugby League (NRL), which is the top rugby league competition in Australasia. The Sharks joined the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in January 1967. This league later became the Australian Rugby League and then the NRL. The club has played in every season since 1967. They won their first championship in 2016, beating the Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final.

Club History

In 1967, the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL) added two new teams: Cronulla-Sutherland and Penrith. These were the first new clubs since 1947.

The Cronulla team started playing in 1967. Their first jersey was sky blue with a white 'V' and red numbers. They played at Sutherland Oval. Monty Porter was their first captain, and Ken Kearney was the coach. The Sharks won their very first game against Eastern Suburbs. However, they only won two more games that season and finished last.

In mid-1968, the club moved to Endeavour Field in Woolooware. This made them the only club in Sydney to own their own home ground. Their first game at Endeavour Field was a 10–7 win against Parramatta.

Chart of yearly table positions for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in First Grade Rugby League

The 1970s: Early Grand Final Appearances

Cronulla reached their first Grand Final in 1973, playing against Manly. They lost that game 10–7. They met Manly again in the 1978 Grand Final. Cronulla was leading 7–2 in the second half, but Manly came back to make it 11-all at full-time. A late penalty goal from Steve Rogers tied the scores. The teams had to play a replay game. Unfortunately, the Sharks had many injured players and lost the replay 16–0.

The 1980s: Financial Challenges and Success

In 1983, Cronulla faced financial difficulties. The NSWRL helped them with a loan. They also reached the final of the mid-week KB Cup but lost to Manly.

In 1985, famous coach Jack Gibson joined the club. He helped improve the team. In 1988, Cronulla won the minor premiership, meaning they finished first in the regular season. Gavin Miller was named the best player of the year (Dally M Player of the Year). However, injuries to key players like Barry Russell hurt their chances in the finals.

In 1989, Cronulla made it to the finals again. Gavin Miller had another great year and won both the Dally M Player of the Year and the Rothmans Medal.

The 1990s: New Coaches and Super League

The early 1990s saw Cronulla struggle again. In 1992, rugby league legend Arthur Beetson became coach. He helped develop many talented young players. However, the club faced financial problems again in 1993.

John Lang took over as coach in 1994. This started a successful period for the club. Cronulla made the semi-finals almost every year from 1995 to 2001. The club became very popular and had large crowds.

In 1995, Cronulla was one of the first clubs to join the Super League competition. This was a new league that started in 1997 after many legal battles. The Sharks reached the Grand Final of the Super League but lost to Brisbane 26–8. This game was special because it was the first Grand Final played outside Sydney. The club then rejoined the united National Rugby League in 1998.

In 1999, Cronulla had one of their best seasons. They won the minor premiership again. They beat the Brisbane Broncos in the quarter-final. However, they lost to their rivals, the St George Illawarra Dragons, in the Grand Final qualifier. For a few years, from 1999 to 2002, the club was known simply as the "Sharks."

The 2000s: Ups and Downs

Cronulla lost another Grand Final qualifier in 2001 to Newcastle. Preston Campbell was named Dally M Player of the Year that season.

In 2002, Chris Anderson became coach. The Sharks reached the Grand Final qualifier again but lost to New Zealand. The next year, 2003, was difficult. The team finished 11th and had a record 74–4 loss to Parramatta. Chris Anderson left the club at the end of the season.

Stuart Raper became the new coach in 2004. He helped improve team spirit. In 2006, Steve Rogers, a former club legend and CEO, sadly passed away.

The club received funding for an upgrade to their home ground, Toyota Park, in 2006. However, the team had a very tough end to the 2006 season, losing their last 10 games. Stuart Raper was replaced by Ricky Stuart as coach for the 2007 season.

In 2008, Cronulla had a strong season, finishing third. They had a great defense. They beat defending champions Manly and Melbourne early in the season. They reached the Preliminary Final but lost to Melbourne.

In 2009, the club faced financial challenges again. They considered moving some home games to the Central Coast and Adelaide, but the NRL did not approve. The team had a difficult season, losing many games. However, they avoided finishing last.

Sharkies Leagues Club

Cronulla attack Manly in August 2009

The 2010s: Rebuilding and a Historic Win

The 2010 season continued to be tough for the Sharks. Coach Ricky Stuart resigned and was replaced by his assistant, Shane Flanagan.

The 2011 season started with some promise, with new players joining the team. They had some good wins, including against St. George Illawarra and Penrith. However, they also had a losing streak. Captain Paul Gallen played a big role in turning the team's performance around later in the season.

In 2012, the Sharks signed new players like Todd Carney and Andrew Fifita. They had a great start, winning six games in a row and sitting third on the ladder. Injuries to Paul Gallen and Todd Carney affected their performance later in the year. However, they still made the finals for the first time in four years.

The 2013 season saw some changes in leadership. Coach Shane Flanagan was suspended by the NRL for a period. Peter Sharp and then James Shepherd took over as interim coaches. The team had a remarkable comeback win against the Brisbane Broncos, coming from 22 points down to win 24–22.

The 2014 season was very difficult for Cronulla. Injuries and player suspensions meant they finished last, earning the Wooden Spoon.

In 2015, the club improved significantly. Shane Flanagan returned as coach. They finished 6th and made it to the second week of the finals, where they lost to North Queensland.

The 2016 NRL season was historic for the Sharks. They had a club-record 15-game winning streak. They also achieved their biggest win ever, beating the Newcastle Knights 62–0. After finishing third in the regular season, they won their way through the finals. They defeated the North Queensland Cowboys in the Preliminary Final. Then, in the 2016 NRL Grand Final, they faced the Melbourne Storm. In a thrilling game, Cronulla won 14–12, claiming their first ever premiership in the club's 50-year history! Luke Lewis was named the best player in the Grand Final, winning the Clive Churchill Medal.

After their premiership win, some challenges arose for the club.

In the 2017 NRL season, Cronulla reached the finals but were eliminated in the first week by North Queensland, ending their premiership defense.

In the 2018 NRL season, Cronulla finished 4th and reached the preliminary final, but lost to Melbourne. The club also faced financial challenges, leading to staff changes. In December 2018, coach Shane Flanagan was suspended indefinitely by the NRL for not following rules from his previous suspension. The NRL also fined the club.

In 2019, Cronulla finished 7th and made the finals. They lost to Manly in the elimination final, ending their season. It was also announced that the Sharks would play their home games away from Shark Park for two seasons due to redevelopment plans.

In the 2020 NRL season, Cronulla finished 8th and qualified for the finals. They were eliminated in the first week by the Canberra Raiders.

In the 2021 NRL season, the club had a mixed start. Coach John Morris was replaced by Josh Hannay. The team had a tough period but recovered. However, they finished 9th and missed the finals for the first time since 2014.

2022-2024: Regular Season Success, Postseason Struggles

In the 2022 NRL season, Cronulla surprised many by finishing second on the ladder. They had a six-game winning streak. Halfback Nicho Hynes won the Dally M Medal, an award for the best player in the league. In the finals, they lost a close game to North Queensland in extra-time. The following week, they were defeated by South Sydney, ending their season.

In 2023, Cronulla started strong but had a mid-season slump. They finished sixth and lost a close elimination final to the Sydney Roosters.

In the 2024 NRL season, Cronulla finished 4th. They won their first finals game in over six years against North Queensland. However, they lost to Penrith in the preliminary final, ending their season.

Team Identity

Logo

When the club first started, it wasn't called the Sharks. Their first crest in 1967 showed Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour. The name 'Sharks' was suggested by the team's first captain, Ken Kearney. The name was already being used for the club in rugby league news before their first season.

From the late 1970s to the late 1990s, the Sharks used a black circular logo with a blue shark. After the Super League in 1997, it changed to a blue and white star shape. Between 1999 and 2002, the name was shortened to just "Sharks" to try and attract more fans. Since 2003, the name has been back to Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, and they changed their logo again in 2004 to the one they use today.

• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - Logos
• 

  1967

• 

  1968-1969

• 

  1970-1977

• 

  1978-1997

• 

  1998-2003

• 

  2004-Present

Colours and Jerseys

For their first season in 1967, Cronulla used sky blue jerseys with a white 'V' and a black border. These colours came from the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club. In the Super League era, grey was added to the team colours.

• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - Primary Jerseys
• 

  1967

• 

  1968–1977

• 

  1978–1980, 1985–1994

• 

  1981–1982

• 

  1983–1984

• 

  1995–1996

• 

  1997–2000

Club Song

The Cronulla club song is called Up Up Cronulla. It uses the tune of the song "Beer Barrel Polka".

Home Stadium

Cheerleaders cheering on the crowd at Endeavour Field.

When the Sharks first joined the competition in 1967, they played their home games at Sutherland Oval. They only played there for two seasons. Their first win at the ground was on April 22, 1967. The biggest crowd at Sutherland Oval was 12,578 people in 1968.

In 1969, the team moved to Endeavour Field, which has been their home ever since. The stadium has had different names over the years, including Ronson Field, Shark Park, Toyota Park, and Toyota Stadium. In 2013, it went back to its original name, Endeavour Field. In 2013, Remondis became the new naming rights partner. In 2016, Southern Cross Group became the new sponsor, and the stadium was named Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Southern Cross Group Stadium can hold 22,000 people. The record attendance was 22,302 for a game against the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2004.

Sharkies Leagues Club

Sharkies Leagues Club

The Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club is known as Sharkies. It is located next to the team's home ground, Endeavour Field, in Woolooware.

For many years, there were plans to develop the land around the Leagues Club and stadium. In August 2012, the club received final approval for plans to build residential and shopping areas. This helped solve the club's financial stability issues.

Current Team

Notable Players

Sharks Hall Of Fame

The Sharks Hall of Fame honors important players and coaches.

Club Captains

Many players have had the honor of being captain for the Sharks.

¹ – Unknown number of matches as captain between 1972 and 1976.

Dream Team

This team was announced in 2006 and features some of the best players in the club's history.

Team of the Half Century

This team was chosen in 2017 to celebrate 50 years of the club.

Team of the Decade

This team was announced in 2020, featuring the best players from the previous ten years.

Player Awards

Dally M Medal

The Dally M Medal is given to the best player in the NRL each season.

• Steve Rogers (1981)
• Gavin Miller (1988, 1989)
• Preston Campbell (2001)
• Nicho Hynes (2022)

Rothmans Medal

The Rothmans Medal was another award for the best player in the league.

• Terry Hughes (1968)
• Ken Maddison (1973)
• Steve Rogers (1975)
• Barry Russell (1988)
• Gavin Miller (1989)
• Paul Green (1995)

Club Player of the Year (Porter Gallen Medal)

This award is given to the Sharks' best player each year.

Clive Churchill Medal

This award is given to the best player in the NRL Grand Final.

• Luke Lewis (2016)

Coaches

Here is a list of the coaches who have led the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

Club Achievements

The Sharks have achieved several honors throughout their history:

• Premierships: 1 (2016)
• Runners-Up: 3 (1973, 1978, 1997SL)
• Minor Premierships: 2 (1988, 1999)
• Wooden Spoons: 3 (Finished last in 1967, 1969, 2014)
• Finals Appearances: 26 times, including recent seasons like 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Team Rivalries

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

This rivalry is often called the "Battle of the Beaches" because of where the clubs are located. Manly and the Sharks played in two Grand Finals in 1973 and 1978. Manly won both of these games. The Sharks had their biggest ever win against Manly in 2005, winning 68-6. The two teams play for the Steve Rogers Trophy each season.

St. George Illawarra Dragons

The Sharks have a strong rivalry with their neighbors, the St George Illawarra Dragons. Cronulla's rugby league roots are linked to the St George junior system. This close connection created a natural rivalry.

In 1999, the Cronulla CEO famously cut up a St. George jersey. This showed how strong the rivalry was. Despite this, the games between the two clubs are often very close. In the 1999 preliminary final, the Dragons came back to beat the Sharks. They have met in the finals several times, with exciting matches. In 2023, Cronulla had their biggest win against the Dragons, winning 52-16.

Melbourne Storm

This rivalry is more recent and became very strong during the 2016 NRL Grand Final, which Cronulla won.

In 2008, Cronulla beat Melbourne in a close game. The two teams met again in the preliminary final, where Melbourne won. In 2012, Cronulla almost beat Melbourne twice. The rivalry grew in 2015 when Melbourne beat Cronulla, and the Sharks coach accused Melbourne of slowing down the game.

In 2016, Cronulla beat Melbourne in Round 4, starting their record-breaking winning streak. The two teams then played for the minor premiership in the final round, which Melbourne won. However, Cronulla won the most important game, the 2016 Grand Final, in a thrilling 14–12 victory.

The teams continued to have close games in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, Cronulla won both regular season games but lost to Melbourne in the preliminary final. A controversial moment happened when Melbourne player Billy Slater made a tackle that was debated. In 2021, former Melbourne player Will Chambers joined Cronulla, which helped ease some of the tension between the two clubs.

Supporters

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks have many loyal fans. Groups like the "Cronulla-Sutherland Supporters Club" and "Sharks Forever" support the team. Sharks fans are known for their "Spirit Fingers" when a player takes a Place kick.

Many famous people also support the club:

Women's Team

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks also have a women's rugby league team.

See also

In Spanish: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks para niños