2023 Preview: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

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With Interim-turn-permanent coach John Morris unceremoniously dispatched early in 2021 with his replacement later announced to be the assistant coach at the Roosters who, like Morris, was coming to the club having never been a NRL head coach. Many folk were adamant that the Sharks would struggle in 2022 and rightfully so.

But some very astute purchases followed by the very clever and entertaining style of play employed by debut coach Craig Fitzgibbon saw the Sharks entrench themselves in the top 8 for the entirety of the season, bar the first round. The Sharks would avoid back-to-back losses for the entire regular season and finish in second place, spearheaded the superb form of new signing Nicho Hynes.

2023 will see the Sharks as one of the top sides and an outfit that teams will be better prepared for, however they've managed to keep the squad changes to the absolute minimum, ensuring they start the season as one of the better cohesive units and will be expected to hit the ground running.

Why They'll Win It

The squad has a very gifted attacking spine, a great rotation of big powerful ball carriers in the middle and some very uniquely and differently skilled edge forwards, topped off with some exceptional wingers. The balance is awesome everywhere.

In 2022, the style of Hynes, who loves to roam while still capable of directing the attack across the park, took so much pressure off experienced ball player Matt Moylan, that he ended up having his best season in many years. Talented rake Blayke Brailey was much improved defensively, while also producing more try assists and running the ball more than in any of his previous seasons, which proved to be a huge bonus with such a strong running game plan employed by the team through the middle. Then there's the constantly improving and ever threatening Will Kennedy at fullback, who is much more than a speedy support player. He has some good ball playing skills to go with the probing kick returns and security under the high ball.

The Sharks defence was the third best in the NRL in 2022 - the least amount of points they've conceded in a regular season since 1999 and that is the unsung hero for Cronulla. While they receive plenty of praise for their attack, coach Fitzgibbon fully understands that the game today favours the teams who are defensively strong. His acquisition of Storm and Blues lock Dale Finucane was hugely vital to this, as he directs the defensive line from the middle of the park better than anyone, while also being a defensive wall himself. There's little that the Sharks have to do to become a better team.

Why They Won't

Big game wobbles. The Sharks had losses against stronger sides Melbourne, Penrith and Sydney, while also losing twice to the Raiders. When they reached the finals, they suffered a narrow 2 point loss to the Cowboys and a week later were humbled 38-12 by Souths. It was the only time all year that they had lost back-to-back games.

Given the experience that the side had in 2022 and continues to have in 2023, this is a major hurdle that they need to overcome. They have Premiership winners, big game players and International players of all ages all across the park, so there's no excuses for panicking or struggling when up against the top sides.

Key Players

Nicho Hynes - the 2022 Dally M player of the year had a solid season yet despite his incredible form and utility value, was not selected for the Kangaroos at the end of the year. Being so close to a call up at the highest level, along with the disappointment of the Sharks finals campaign last year, Hynes will be highly motivated in 2023.

Dale Finucane - this Sharks defence was very good all year but with the side being largely unchanged from last season, the defensive cohesion of the side should be exactly where it needs to be for the start of the year. He is the main man when it comes to the Sharks defence.

Blayke Brailey - the skilled hooker keeps getting better every year and doing even more work in both attack and defence. He is rather under rated which appears to suit him and his game perfectly, because defences are spending their time and efforts worrying about other players that he is given plenty of freedom in attack.

Breakthrough Player To Watch

Daniel Atkinson - the well built halfback had a pair of strong seasons in the Queensland Cup, even earning himself a call-up to the Melbourne Storm late in the 2021 season, in what has been his only NRL appearance to date. Last year he starred for the Sunshine Coast, earning himself a call-up into Italy's World Cup squad, where he played entirely as a centre.

With the season-ending injury to Kade Dykes and the late departure of Lachie Miller to the Knights, Atkinson now stands to be the first cab-off-the-rank if the Sharks need a replacement in the halves.

2023 Sharks' squad

Player Movements

Gains: Oregon Kaufusi (Eels)

Losses: Lachie Miller (Knights), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Franklin Pele (Bulldogs), Andrew Fifita, Aiden Tolman (retired)

Predicted Best 17

1. Will Kennedy
2. Ronaldo Mulitalo
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Connor Tracey
5. Sione Katoa
6. Matt Moylan
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Toby Rudolf
11. Wade Graham
12. Briton Nikora
13. Dale Finucane

14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Oregon Kaufusi
16. Royce Hunt
17. Teig Wilton

2023 Sharks fixtures

Some statistics courtesy Rugby League Project.