Mole’s season review: ‘Lack of killer instinct’ again bites the Sharks
It was the same old story for the Cronulla Sharks in 2026 - cruising comfortably into the finals before crashing out in the games that really matter.
The Sharks have never finished worse than sixth under Craig Fitzgibbon since he took command in 2022 and his win record of 62 per cent is well above most teams in the league.
The Sharks wrote the same story for their 2026 season. Getty Images
But the Sharks seem unable to make that vital next step of firing in the finals.
They should really have finished in the top four, but losses in five of their last seven games left fans again frustrated and wondering what might have been.
Fitzgibbon has a happy camp, a strong roster, a stable squad and a consistent football team.
But the lack of killer instinct in the big games seems to be their downfall.
The NRL’s decision to move their final series games away from Shark Park did the club no favours and after beating the Cowboys in the opening round, they conceded 46 points against a Sam Walker-less Roosters to go out the back door.
The frustrating thing for Fitzgibbon is it seems like Groundhog Day every year - the players aren’t learning the bitter lessons of defeat and seem content to just make the finals.
Admittedly, losing marquee man Nicho Hynes to a HIA in the first 90 seconds against the Roosters was a massive blow, but it’s doubtful he could have withstood the storm the Roosters unleashed even if he had returned to the field.
Despite the frustrating exit, it was a year of positives.
Under-rated fullback Will Kennedy was again superb in a talented backline that featured try aces Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, Sione Katoa, KL Iro, Jesse Ramien and playmakers Hynes and Braydon Trindall.
Trindall was one of the best attacking players in the NRL and he took a shoulder injury into that fateful, final game against the Roosters that hampered him.
The forwards are a disciplined, no-nonsense pack capable of matching any team on their day and Cam McInnes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tom Hazelton, Teig Wilton, Briton Nikora, Jesse Colquhoun, Billy Burns, Toby Rudolf and classy hooker Blake Brailey all enjoyed plenty of success.
Nicho Hynes. Getty Images
There will be some major losses for 2027 with Talakai (Bears), Katoa (Cowboys), Ramien (Cowboys) and McInnes (York, UK) all moving on.
The club has yet to sign an established player to replace them and will be hoping for some bargain buys come November 1 to fill the gaps.
Best player: Trindall really came of age as a playmaker in 2026, setting up more tries than and Sharks player and showing a new-found confidence with ball in hand.
Biggest disappointment: Fitzgibbon builds his teams around defence and in some of the season’s big games, it went missing under pressure. The 46 points conceded in the final game against the Roosters is just one of many examples that work needs to be done in this vital area over the summer.
Key signing: Former Waratah outside back Leo Jaques has made the switch to league and could be a good fit for Ramien’s centre spot with his size and speed - if he can adapt to the change of codes.
2027 gains: Leo Jaques (rugby union)
2027 losses: Mawene Hiroti (Titans), Chris Vea’ila (Bears), Siosifa Talakai (Bears), Sione Katoa (Cowboys), Jesse Ramien (Cowboys), Niwhai Puru (Perth Bears), Cameron McInnes (York, UK)
