Cronulla Sharks: 2023 finish: 6th | 2024 finish: 4th
The Sharks managed to break their finals hoodoo in 2024 – but only just.
After losing nine of their previous 10 finals games, the Sharks managed an impressive win over the dangerous Cowboys in the second week of the big end of season games to move within a win of the grand final.
READ MORE: Aussies beat dodgy England tactics to win series
READ MORE: Skipper’s telling response to burning Daniher question
READ MORE: ‘He failed again’: Cornes fumes at Heeney injury ‘excuse’
But in the end they were no match for the Penrith machine and finished the campaign with two losses from their three finals – still a worry for a club with a good roster and plenty of strike power.
Compare that to the Panthers, who have won a record 11 straight finals, and you see the gap between the elite teams and the next level.
There was a massive changing of the guard in the second half of the season with Nicho Hynes losing his way and Braydon Trindall taking the keys to the attack.
Trindall played the game of his life in the win over the Cowboys but couldn’t repeat the feat in the clash with the Panthers as the Sharks fell one game short of the big dance.
There were plenty of positives about the season, however. Fullback Will Kennedy was solid while wingers Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo were genuine strike weapons, bagging 35 tries between them.
Watch the 2024 NRL grand final live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Young centre Kayal Iro came of age as an NRL player, running with power and purpose and defending strongly, while his backline partner Jesse Ramien was one of the most dangerous wide runners in the league.
Another youngster, Dan Atkinson, proved a fine utility player, filling in most spots in the backline with ease.
The Sharks pack was capable of challenging any forward outfit in the league on their day with the likes of Jack Williams, Teig Wilton, cult hero Tom Hazelton, Siosifa Talakai (who also played centre), Cam McInnes and Toby Rudolf giving coach Craig Fitzgibbon plenty of options.
Briton Nikora was among the best back-rowers in the comp, finishing with 10 tries, and will come close to picking up a Dally M positional award this week.
Hooker Blayke Brailey was the only Shark to play all 27 games and is developing into one of the best dummy-halves in the league.
The loss of inspirational forward leader Dale Finucane to medical retirement after just three games hurt the Sharks and they did well to finish as highly as they did considering his absence.
Best player: Braydon Trindall
Scored 12 tries and laid on 20 in a breakout season. Once he gets his life together off the field, he will be an even better player.
Needs to lift: Braden Hamlin-Uele
Has been great for the Sharks in recent years, but seemed to lose his edge in 2024, with injuries and form problems restricting him to 12 games.
Best signing: Addin Fonua-Blake
His arrival will add plenty to the Sharks’ already formidable size and fear factor up front and could see them improve on this year’s near grand final finish.
2025 gains: Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors).
2025 losses: Dale Finucane (retired), Sam Healey (New Zealand Warriors), Royce Hunt (Wests Tigers).