Have the Cronulla Sharks peaked?: Mid Season review

After finally winning their first final under coach Craig Fitzgibbon in 2024, the Cronulla Sharks entered their 2025 campaign with an expectation that this team could make the leap from perennial finalist to bona fide Premiership contender. Cronulla have largely retained the same roster for a number of years and added two-time reigning Dally M prop of the year in Addin Fonua-Blake.

It’s been a familiar story for Cronulla who remain a quality side but not a great side with only one win against a current top eight side as of Round 17. A big final 10 rounds is needed from the Sharks. Otherwise, serious questions must be raised about the state of the roster which could result in a complete overhaul.

Ladder: 10th
Record: 8W, 8L, 1 Bye

Positive: Sharks claim hard-fought win over Premiership favourites

It’s their only win against a top eight opponent but it was also their best performance of the season. The Sharks welcomed the Melbourne Storm to Sharks Stadium and produced a dominant first half to lead by 13 points at half time. After quickly conceding the two tries in the opening six minutes of the second half, Cronulla rallied and scored a try of their own to get a bit of breathing space.

Despite Xavier Coates’ try of the year contender to trim the margin, the Sharks held on to record an impressive 31-26 win at home. It lifted them to fifth on the ladder and within touching distance of the top four.

Negative: Humbling loss to Origin affected Roosters

The Sharks are in the rare position of being a strong team without a single State of origin representative. Game I of the 2024 series was the last time a Sharks player featured in the Origin arena. Thus, the Origin affected period during the winter months of the season should be where the Sharks thrive.

However, Cronulla travelled to Gosford to take on a Roosters outfit who were missing Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia to Origin duty. The Roosters tore the Sharks apart as they ran in seven tries to three and handed Fitzgibbon’s men a serious reality check.

Since that game, the Sharks have only won one game in their past four matches. An unconvincing 30-18 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Best Player: Blayke Brailey

No Sharks players have enhanced their reputation in 2025 with the exception of hooker Blayke Brailey. The 26-year-old is in his seventh season at Cronulla and has arguably been the team’s most threatening player in attack. Brailey leads the competition for dummy half runs with 86, has six try assists to his name and five line break assists.

Brailey is not only potent in attack but strong in defence. He is the competition leader for most tackles with 730. His Sharks teammate in Cam McInnes is the next best with 659.

Biggest Moment: Squandered lead against Brisbane

The Sharks were in complete cruise control agains the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Round 16. On two separate occasions, Cronulla led by 16 points. After Blayke Brailey crossed over for a try in the 46th minute, many thought the Sharks would ease home with a comfortable win.

However, Cronulla simply stopped playing and gifted the Broncos four unanswered tries to eventually go down 34-28. Fitzgibbon labelled the performance as “flat” and lacked “discipline in defence.”

Grade: C