“We were the first and you can’t take that away from us,” he said. The same year the club's name reverted to Cronulla-Sutherland, Chris Anderson was replaced by Stuart Raper, another son of Johnny Raper, and the coach of the President's Cup-winning team in 1994. Halfback Terry Hughes won the first ever Rothmans Medal in 1968. Their place among the history of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks is secure forever. It was the first match in Cronulla's record-breaking 15 matches winning streak. View the latest NRL news and rumours for the Cronulla Sharks and their players. We’d train twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday nights usually. The Sharks managed to avoid the wooden spoon in 2009 when the Roosters were soundly beaten by the Cowboys in the final round, resulting in a lower overall standing than the Sharks. Cronulla-Sutherland had a strong season in 2008, finishing the season in equal first spot (third on for and against). Sharp again took over the reins, before resigning mid season the week after the club's greatest comeback victory, with the team coming from 22 nil down to beat the Brisbane Broncos 24-22. “We’ll always be there as the first team. And on May 12 they will come together at the Sharkies Leagues Club to be acknowledged. [3] The club then slid into crisis when it also emerged that CEO Tony Zappia had allegedly punched a female staff member and joked about it. Again the Sharks handed Melbourne their first loss of the 2016 season, winning the round 4 clash 14-6. Cronulla suffered major financial trouble in 1983, with the NSWRL appointing an administrator and providing a loan. The club competed in every premiership season since then and, during the Super League war, joined the rebel competition before continuing on in the re-united NRL Premiership. It was a lot different back in those days.” Former Sharks player Alan Wilson will MC the event and interview players past and present. Manly played the Sharks in two grand finals: 1973 and 1978, which are renowned for being the most brutal in history. [11][12], In November 2018, the Sharks sack 10 staff members after $3m loss for 2018 season. They broke their hoodoo in round ten, when they beat the struggling Sydney Roosters 18-4 at Toyota Stadium. Zappia and Stuart were also investigated for their role around unusual financial transactions with Clint Elford, a fan who falsely claimed to be terminally ill who had sent money to Zappia and Stuart to spend on the Sharks . Sharks coach Shane Flanagan accused Melbourne of slowing down the game with their wrestling tackle technique. The Sharks, as they are commonly known, were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, predecessor of the Australian Rugby League and the current National Rugby League competition, in January 1967. The rivalry was reignited in late 2015 when Melbourne beat Cronulla 30-2 in spiteful circumstances. This was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season.[2]. All Players ; Highest Paid Players; Oldest & Youngest; … A difficult State of Origin period saw injuries to captain Paul Gallen and star Todd Carney. Halfback Terry Hughes won the first ever Rothmans Medal in 1968. The great Monty Porter. His halves partner, Jack Danzey, became a leading referee. [clarification needed], Cronulla played Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium on 19 February 2017, losing 22-6 to a strong Wigan side. The team colours of black, white and teal changed to sky blue, with grey being incorporated during Super League, and shortly after on the team's away strip. The match notable for seeing Paul Gallen outplayed by young rival Josh Papalli and Todd Carney injuring his Achilles. It was a lot different back in those days.”. (previous page) * List of Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players; List of Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks representatives ; A. Gordon Abercrombie; Jack Afamasaga; Russell Aitken; Paul Aiton; Darren Albert; Greg Allen … “Training was nothing like it is now. However, the Cronulla-Sutherland would win the biggest game ever between the two sides 4 weeks later, winning the 2016 grand final by 14-12 in a thriller. Brian Cox, the fullback in the ‘67 team, told the Leader it was an honour to be remembered. [5] Elford was subsequently found guilty of fraud and Stuart refused to answer questions when the NRL launched an investigation. “John Hynes, ‘Bomber’ we called him, would have a cigar after the game in the shower. Please note: All comments made or shown here are bound by the NRL 2020: Team Lists; Injuries & Suspensions; Pick Your Team; Scores; Fixtures & Results; Ladder; Player Movements. The very first men to wear the famous black, white and blue. “Training was nothing like it is now. In 2003, Peachey was named in the top ten Cronulla Sharks Legends, as nominated by the fans and picked by a panel of rugby league experts. NZ international Shaun Johnson has won the inaugural Porter-Gallen Medal as the Cronulla Sharks' Player of the Year. Zappia and Coach Ricky Stuart also then attempted to bully the female staff member into retracting her complaint.[4]. Flanagan was stood down and Peter Sharp stepped up to the head coaching role. When the Sharks entered the competition in 1967, they played their home games at Sutherland Oval. I’m very proud of that. The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales. Cronulla's club song is known as Up Up Cronulla, and is set to the tune of Beer Barrel Polka. In late 2007, Cronulla-Sutherland were on course to break a six match losing streak until a Cooper Cronk field goal saw them lose 16-17. From the late 1970s through to the late 1990s, the Sharks used a predominantly black circular crest with a blue shark. In week one, Cronulla played against North Queensland in the elimination final. Cronulla, after leading 8-0 at half-time, prevailed in a gripping affair 14-12 to claim their first premiership in the club's 50-year history. The latest Cronulla Sharks club news, match reports, player news, injuries, draft news, comment and analysis from The Sydney Morning Herald The very first men to wear the famous black, white and blue. Three Cronulla players were sent from the field, including Sharks captain David Peachey, for ignoring the referee's instructions. Cronulla went on to be upset 15-14 and were eliminated from the finals ending their premiership defence. Cronulla lost their two props for the 2012 season, Origin representative Kade Snowden to Newcastle and Luke Douglas signing for the Gold Coast Titans. After the board developed a plan to refinance debt and a long term financial strategy, Richard Fisk resigned in June 2010 due to his failure to find common ground with Chairman Irvine and his Board and a failure by Fisk to refresh the commercial area of the club. Cronulla and Manly play for the Steve Rogers Trophy when the two clubs meet in the NRL premiership each season. Online Discussion Terms & Conditions. Their place among the history of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks is secure forever. Details: Brian Cox 0412 079 692, Denis Stapleton 0450 098 947, Bruce Thompson 0419 475 465, https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/EQCJBsSg4ZXprzwAMpLHiQ/4fc3521c-dc45-4a6d-9c9e-810fcf260a9e.jpg/r142_179_1547_973_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg, Scott loved performance cars - now he is trying to save our streets from car hoons, Aileen May RIP | A grass roots sports legend and a beautiful soul, What a shot: Steve Waugh takes spiritual quest to India. “We were the first and you can’t take that away from us,” he said. However another heartbreaking loss to New Zealand, the replacement of halfback Preston Campbell – a crowd favourite – with former Melbourne halfback Brett Kimmorley, and a string of released players signaled trouble for 2003. The Sharks won their first ever game, an 11-5 victory over Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Sports Ground. On 26 September, Australian Test Coach Ricky Stuart signed a three-year deal to coach the Sharks as of 2007, replacing Raper. It was reported that Cronulla had lost $3 million, despite being given support of the NRL. However, they could not repeat the performance in their semi-final against eventual premiers Canberra, in what was their third game in seven days. He helped develop a batch of promising players, including five-eighth Mitch Healey, fullback David Peachey, winger Richie Barnett, prop Adam Ritson, and hooker Aaron Raper, son of another Immortal, Johnny Raper. In 2016 a new sponsorship deal for naming rights was signed with Southern Cross Group to name the stadium Southern Cross Group Stadium. The team of ‘67 paved the way for the club’s historic premiership-winning side of 2016. Arguably Cronulla's best season ever was in 1999, when they again won the Minor Premiership and the J. J. Giltinan Shield in convincing fashion. The success of the St. George club has often seen Cronulla labeled as the 'little brother' to the Dragons, further emphasized by the Dragons merger with Illawarra Steelers in 1998, effectively surrounding the Cronulla-Sutherland region geographically. He was rushed back in for the final against Balmain, but he was severely hampered by the injury, and Cronulla were bundled out. Cronulla have purchased stars from the Penrith club including Paul Aiton, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Sione Katoa, Jeremy Latimore, Luke Lewis, Matt Moylan, Junior Paulo, and James Segeyaro. latest-news, Cronulla Sharks, Brian Cox, Monty Porter, Warren Ryan, Terry Hughes, Men of League Foundation, They were the pioneers for rugby league in the Sutherland Shire. The great Monty Porter. The two teams met in the 2013 finals, when Manly held off Cronulla by 24-18. “When we came to Cronulla most of us were probably not making first grade at other clubs. The club won 6 matches in a row for the first time in over a decade and after 8 rounds were sitting third on the table as the highest placed Sydney based franchise. I don’t know how he did it. Player Bio Height: 185 cm. Their place among the history of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks is secure forever. Cronulla-Sutherland easily accounted for the Brisbane Broncos in the quarter-final, and led 8–0 in the grand final qualifier against arch rivals the St George Illawarra Dragons before eventually losing 8–24. They would face and defeat the Melbourne Storm in the 2016 NRL Grand Final. Cronulla finished 2014 with the Wooden Spoon. Date of Birth: 07 December 1997. Nickname:-Debut Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. They would meet again in the finals in 2002, with Cronulla winning 40-24, and again in 2005 when the Dragons won 28-22. The club had a glamorous image and attracted record crowds, with a corresponding financial improvement. I don’t know how he did it. Age: 22. The record attendance for Sutherland Oval was set in the last Cronulla game played at the ground when 12,578 saw the Sharks go down 32–4 to Canterbury Bankstown, then known as the Berries, now Bulldogs on 16 June 1968 NSWRFL season. A bright spot for the Sharks, though, was the selection in the Australian team of Miller, and young centres, Ettingshausen and Mark McGaw. It was a team full of characters. [8], In 2015, the club climbed the ladder to eventually finish 6th with two wins over eventual minor premiers Sydney Roosters and 2014's premiers South Sydney.