‘Penny has dropped’: Sharks not content with simply making the finals after years of heartbreak

Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes says “the penny has dropped” when it comes to their goals for 2024, with simply making the finals not good enough for a team that has bigger aspirations.

Making the top eight hasn’t been an issue for Cronulla in recent years, with the Sharks winning a combined 32 matches in the previous two regular seasons, behind only the Panthers who won 38 games and have won three-straight titles.

But the big issue for the Sharks comes in the post-season where they have won just one finals match since their 2016 premiership, with the Shire club losing all three September games since Craig Fitzgibbon took over as coach.

It’s a concerning stat for a team that is blessed with an all-star backline and some outstanding forwards, with Hynes, who won the 2022 Dally M Medal, emerging as one of the best halfbacks in the competition.

“It is (crunch time for us) and I think everyone knows that,” Hynes said.

“There are going to be some players coming off contract over the next year or two, so it’s going to be a year where you’re going to have to fight and fight hard to get in the eight and to fight for your contract.

“We’re in a really good spot with a lot of depth, and the hunger that’s come back after the last couple of years is unbelievable.

“I feel like the penny has dropped for a lot of us and we’re not going to be there to just make finals – we want to go further, and hopefully we can do that this year.”

The Sharks are in a strong position, with a number of their biggest stars signed on lengthy deals, but Hynes says the incumbents should watch their backs, with Cronulla’s next generation nipping at their heels and ready to handle the step up in class.

“Since I’ve been here, I feel like this is the best shape we’ve been in,” said Hynes, who expects to overcome a quad strain in time for round 1.

“There’s a lot of depth and there are a lot of young kids fighting for positions who could probably play NRL at some stage if our main players aren’t doing their job.

“Every player has to rock up every week and train well and put in a good performance, otherwise there’s someone coming through who’s going to take their spot, and that’s me included.”

One of those re-signed stars is Braden Hamlin-Uele, with the prop forward turning down interest from the Warriors to ink a new deal that will keep him in the Shire until 2026.

“He was clear all along that he wanted to stay with the Sharks, but you’ve got to respect the Warriors as a club and the offer they made,” Fitzgibbon said.

“I wouldn’t say I was totally comfortable, but he was pretty clear about how much he loves it at the Sharks. He was pretty clear about his teammates and the direction we’re heading.

“You just had to trust that, just that he feels connected and feels like we’re heading in the right direction and that would make the decision for him and thankfully for us it did.”