Cronulla Sharks

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were founded in 1963 and joined the NSWRL competition in 1967, representing the beachside communities of Sydney's Sutherland Shire. For nearly five decades the Sharks were one of rugby league's great nearly-men — a club with a passionate fanbase, talented players, and a habit of falling just short when it mattered most. Grand final appearances in 1973 and 1978 ended in defeat, and the wait for a premiership became one of the defining narratives in NRL history.

The drought finally ended in 2016 when, under coach Shane Flanagan and captained by Paul Gallen, the Sharks defeated the Melbourne Storm 14–12 in the grand final at ANZ Stadium. The scenes of celebration across the Sutherland Shire were extraordinary — 49 years of heartbreak released in a single moment. The 2016 premiership remains one of the most emotionally charged moments in NRL history and cemented the Sharks' place as one of the competition's most beloved clubs.

Black, white, and sky blue — the Sharks' colours reflect the coastal identity of the Sutherland Shire and give the club one of the most distinctive kits in the NRL. The combination has evolved across the club's history but the core palette of black and sky blue has remained consistent, connecting the modern club to its beachside roots and the communities it represents along Sydney's southern coastline.

The Sharks' home kit is worn at PointsBet Stadium in Cronulla — a compact, atmospheric ground close to the beach that generates one of the most passionate atmospheres in the NRL. The shark emblem on the chest is one of the most recognisable in rugby league, worn with the pride of a club that knows what it means to finally be champions after half a century of waiting.