The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Women are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales. They compete in the National Rugby League Women's Premiership (NRLW), Australasia's premier rugby league competition for female players. The Sharks, as they are commonly known, were admitted to the NRLW in June 2022 to commence in the 2023 NRL Women's season.[1][2]
| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football Club Ltd | ||
| Nickname(s) | Sharks, Sharkies | ||
| Colours | Sky blue White Black | ||
| Founded | 1963 as Cronulla-Caringbah 1967 in NSWRL Men’s 2023 Women’s NRLW | ||
| Website | sharks.com.au | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) |
| ||
| Coach | Tony Herman | ||
| Captain | Tiana Penitani | ||
| Competition | National Rugby League | ||
 Current season | |||
| Uniforms | |||
| |||
| Records | |||
| Runners-up | 1 (2024) | ||
| Highest try scorer | 11 – Tiana Penitani | ||
| Highest points scorer | 98 – Tayla Preston | ||
Seasons
edit| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Nines | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | ||||
| 2023 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 202 | 150 | 8 | 6th | — | — | [3] |
| 2024 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 146 | 122 | 12 | 4th | Grand Finalists | — | [4][5][6] |
Head-to-head records
edit| Opponent | First Meeting | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Win % | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Raiders |
23 Jul 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 26 | 100.00% | 66.67% |
 Tigers |
30 Jul 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 22 | 0.00% | 31.25% |
 Titans |
5 Aug 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 16 | 50.00% | 65.22% |
 Roosters |
13 Aug 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 40 | 108 | 0.00% | 27.03% |
 Cowboys |
19 Aug 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 12 | 100.00% | 81.82% |
 Knights |
27 Aug 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 34 | 50.00% | 45.16% |
 Broncos |
2 Sep 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 58 | 52 | 33.33% | 52.73% |
 Dragons |
7 Sep 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 12 | 100.00% | 78.57% |
 Eels |
17 Sep 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 22 | 100.00% | 77.08% |
| Totals | 23 Jul 2023 | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 390 | 304 | 55.00% | 56.20% |
Notes
- Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.
- Clubs listed in the order than the Sharks Women first played them.
- Last updated: 7 October 2024
Current squad
editThe team is coached by Tony Herman.[7]
Jersey numbers in the table reflect the Sharks' Grand Final Team List.
Table last updated on 22 December 2024.
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | NRLW Seasons | NRLW Stats | Origin | Tests | All Stars | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | 2018-23 | 2024 | 2025 | M | T | G | Pts | |||||||
| 4 | Annessa Biddle | 21 | Centre, Wing | 2023 |  8 |
11 |
0 |
19 | 6 | 0 | 24 | — |  5 |
 1
|
| 13 | Brooke Anderson | 28 | Lock, Hooker | 2022 | 5 9 |
11 |
0 |
25 | 3 | 0 | 12 |  1 |
6 |
2
|
| IS | Caitlan Johnston-Green | 23 | Prop, Second-row | 2019 | 3 18 |
2 |
0 |
23 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 4 |
 4 |
 4
|
| 8 | Ellie Johnston | 24 | Prop, Second-row | 2020 | 3 12 9 |
11 |
0 |
35 | 12 | 0 | 48 | — | — | — |
| 1 | Emma Tonegato | 29 | Fullback, Five-eighth | 2021 | 13 9 |
9 |
0 |
31 | 8 | 0 | 32 | 8 |
9 |
 1
|
| 6 | Georgia Hannaway | 23 | Five-eighth | 2024 | — | 7 |
0 |
7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| IS | Jada Taylor | 21 | Fullback, Centre | 2022 | 1 6 |
2 |
0 |
9 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 1
|
| 15 | Manilita Takapautolo | 18 | Prop | 2024 | — | 7 |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |  1 |
— |
| 9 | Quincy Dodd | 24 | Hooker | 2019 | 5 13 9 |
11 |
0 |
38 | 11 | 0 | 44 | 5 |
1 |
6
|
| 11 | Talei Holmes | 24 | Second-row | 2020 | 10 9 |
10 |
0 |
29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |  4 |
— |
| 3 | Tiana Penitani | 28 | Centre, Fullback | 2019 | 6 10 9 |
11 |
0 |
36 | 18 | 0 | 72 | 8 |
1 4 |
— |
| DV | Koreti Leilua | 19 | Prop | — | — | D |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| – | Pia Tapsell | 26 | Lock | — | — | R |
— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Rhiannon Byers | 25 | Second-row, Centre | 2023 | 1 |
10 |
— | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Cassie Staples | 32 | Wing, Fullback | 2022 | 1 5 |
11 |
— | 17 | 6 | 0 | 24 | — | 3 |
— |
| 5 | Georgia Ravics | 29 | Wing | 2023 | 5 |
11 |
— | 16 | 10 | 0 | 40 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Filomina Hanisi | 23 | Prop | 2020 | 4 12 4 |
4 |
— | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
1 |
— |
| 16 | Vanessa Foliaki | 31 | Second-row | 2018 | 11 7 9 |
11 |
— | 38 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
6 2 |
1
|
| 19 | Nakia Davis-Welsh | 28 | Wing, Fullback | 2023 | 2 |
4 |
— | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
4 |
6
|
| 21 | Dominique du Toit | 27 | Wing | 2024 | — | 1 |
— | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Sharni Smale | 36 | Second-row, Centre | 2024 | — | 4 |
— | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| – | Jaydika Tafua | 19 | Second-row | — | — | R |
— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| IS | Grace-Lee Weekes | 20 | Wing | — | — | H |
— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
Notes:
- The following players were signed on a Development contract for 2024:
The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks announced player signings in several instalments from May 2024.[8]
Club records
editPlayer records
editLists and tables last updated: 7 October 2024.
Most Games for the Sharks
- 6 players have played in all 20 matches.
Most Tries for the Sharks
- Tiana Penitani — 11, Georgia Ravics — 10, Ellie Johnston — 10, Annessa Biddle — 6, Cassie Staples — 6, Quincy Dodd — 6, Emma Tonegato — 3, Jada Taylor — 3.
Most Points for the Sharks (20+)
| Player | 2024 Club | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tayla Preston | |
20 | 1 | 47 | 0 | 98 |
| Tiana Penitani | |
20 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| Georgia Ravics | |
16 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Ellie Johnston | |
20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Annessa Biddle | |
19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Cassie Staples | |
16 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Quincy Dodd | |
20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Most Points in a Season (16+)
| Player | Season | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tayla Preston | 2023 | 9 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 54 |
| Tayla Preston | 2024 | 11 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 44 |
| Tiana Penitani | 2024 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Ellie Johnston | 2023 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Georgia Ravics | 2023 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Georgia Ravics | 2024 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Cassie Staples | 2024 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Annessa Biddle | 2024 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Ellie Johnston | 2024 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Margins and streaks
editBiggest winning margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 56—6 | Parramatta Eels |
GIO Stadium | 17 Sep 2023 |
| 28 | 40—12 | North Queensland Cowboys |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | 19 Aug 2023 |
Biggest losing margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 0—40 | Sydney Roosters |
PointsBet Stadium | 8 Sep 2024 |
| 24 | 12—36 | Sydney Roosters |
PointsBet Stadium | 13 Aug 2023 |
Most consecutive wins
- 8 — (7 September 2023 — 31 August 2024)
Most consecutive losses
- 3 — (30 July 2023 — 13 August 2023)
- 3 — (8 September 2024 — 19 September 2024)
History
editIn 2016, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and St. George Illawarra Dragons Women contested a Women's Nine's match, which served as a curtain-raiser to the NRL match between the Sharks and Sydney Roosters, at Southern Cross Group Stadium. The Sharks won the match 16–12.[9][10][11] Also in 2016, the feeder club Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks won the NSWRL Women’s Premiership.[12][13][14]
In March 2017, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks played another Women's Nine's match, this time defeating the Canberra Raiders by 28–10.[15]
In 2018 the club entered teams as Cronulla-Sutherland in the NSWRL Women’s Premiership and the inaugural Tarsha Gale Cup for Under 18 players. The Sharks’ Under 18 team were undefeated premiers.[16]
In April 2022 the club submitted their application to enter the 2023 NRL Women’s Premiership.[17] In June 2022 the NRL announced that the Sharks were one of four clubs accepted into the NRLW for the 2023 season.[1][2]
Players
editThe following players have appeared in NRL Women's Premiership matches for the Sharks.
Table last updated: 7 October 2024.
| Order | Player | Sharks | First Appearance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | T | G | FG | Pts | Game | Date | Opponent | ||
| 1 | Jada Taylor | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 2 | Annessa Biddle | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 3 | Tiana Penitani | 20 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 4 | Kiana Takairangi | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 5 | Andie Robinson | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 6 | Emma Tonegato | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 7 | Tayla Preston | 20 | 1 | 47 | 0 | 98 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 8 | Ellie Johnston | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 9 | Quincy Dodd | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 10 | Holli Wheeler | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 11 | Talei Holmes | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 12 | Vanessa Foliaki | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 13 | Brooke Anderson | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 14 | Rhiannon Byers | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 15 | Jazmon Tupou-Witchman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 16 | Sereana Naitokatoka | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 17 | Chloe Saunders | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 23 Jul 2023 | Raiders
|
| 18 | Cassie Staples | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 30 Jul 2023 | Wests Tigers
|
| 19 | Harata Butler | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 30 Jul 2023 | Wests Tigers
|
| 20 | Tegan Dymock | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 30 Jul 2023 | Wests Tigers
|
| 21 | Fiona Jahnke | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 Aug 2023 | Titans
|
| 22 | Maddie Studdon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 Aug 2023 | Roosters
|
| 23 | Georgia Ravics | 16 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 5 | 19 Aug 2023 | Cowboys
|
| 24 | Georgia Hannaway | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 27 Jul 2024 | Cowboys
|
| 25 | Manilita Takapautolo | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 Aug 2024 | Eels
|
| 26 | Nakia Davis-Welsh | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 10 Aug 2024 | Raiders
|
| 27 | Sharni Smale | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 18 Aug 2024 | Knights
|
| 28 | Dominique du Toit | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 8 Sep 2024 | Roosters
|
| 29 | Filomina Hanisi | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 14 Sep 2024 | Broncos
|
Feeder team seasons
editThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks run women's pathways teams in the NSWRL Women's Premiership, the Tarsha Gale Cup, and the Lisa Fiaola Cup.
NSWRL Women's Premiership
edit| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | ||
| 2018 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 208 | 162 | 12 | 5th | 5 | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2019 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 156 | 76 | 19 | 3rd | 8 | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2020 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 58 | 12 | 2nd | 6 | Preliminary Finalist | [18] |
| 2021 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 420 | 84 | 22 | 3rd | 6 | Abandoned | |
| 2022 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 123 | 68 | 12 | 3rd | 4 | Grand-Finalist | [19] |
| 2023 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 207 | 194 | 10 | 7th | 4 | — | |
| 2024 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 178 | 262 | 8 | 7th | 4 | — | |
Tarsha Gale Cup
editFor Under 18 players from 2018 to 2020. Since 2021, the Cup is for Under 19 players.
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | ||
| 2017 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 276 | 128 | 12 | 2nd | 8 | Preliminary Finalist | [20] |
| 2018 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 520 | 126 | 18 | 1st | 8 | Premiers | [16] |
| 2019 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 148 | 262 | 6 | 7th | 8 | Elimination Finalist | |
| 2020 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 106 | 96 | 8 | 2nd | 8 | — | |
| 2021 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 88 | 172 | 8 | 6th | 6 | Elimination Finalist | |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 68 | 126 | 7 | 9th | 6 | — | |
| 2023 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 84 | 172 | 9 | 8th | 6 | — | |
| 2024 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 174 | 148 | 11 | 6th | 6 | Semi-Finalist | [21][22] |
Lisa Fiaola Cup
editFor Under 17 players.
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | B | F | A | Pts | Pos | Top | Placing | ||
| 2024 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 104 | 170 | 6 | 8th | 6 | — | |
References
edit- ^ a b "NRLW Announcement". NRL. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Sharks to enter NRLW competition in 2023". Cronulla Sharks. Sharks Media. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Twemlow, Leo (17 September 2023). "Sharks score record victory to close out maiden campaign". NRL. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "NRLW Telstra Women's Premiership 2024 Semi-Finals". NRL. NRL Media Release. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ Mee, Cameron (6 October 2024). "Roosters hold off Sharks to claim NRLW decider". NRL. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ Hollis, Kelly (6 October 2024). "Roosters hold off fast-finishing Sharks to claim NRLW title". NRL. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ Hogan, Kelsey (23 November 2022). "Sharks confirm NRLW coaching staff for 2023". National Rugby League. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "World-class Johnston to join Sharks in 2025". Sharks.com.au. Sharks Media. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Lulham, Amanda (29 August 2016). "Women's rugby league passes test with flying colours as Cronulla beat Dragons in historic nines match". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ Carayannis, Michael (27 August 2016). "The Sharks have beaten the Dragons 16–12 in a historic NRL womens [sic] nines match". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ "NRL Women's 9s Team List: Sharks v Dragons". Sharks. NRL Media. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ Masterton, Simon (12 September 2016). "Sharks Women victorious on Grand stage". Cronulla Sharks. NSWRL. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Smith, James (12 September 2016). "Sharks Conquer Leichhardt Oval". Inside Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Parkinson, Andrew (14 September 2016). "Cronulla Caringbah Sharks win 2016 Sydney Metropolitan Women's Rugby League grand final". St George Sutherland Leader. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Coman, James (11 March 2017). "Women's Nines: Sharks defeat Raiders". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ a b Buxton, Matt (5 May 2018). "Sharks Hold off Knights to win Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup". NSWRL. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ "Special delivery: Sharks confirm intent to join NRLW in 2023". NRL. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Results: 2020 NSWRL Harvey Norman Women's Premiership Finals Week 3". League Unlimited. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "Tigers claim NSW Women's Premiership in epic Grand Final". NSWRL. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- ^ "NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup 2017 - Ladder". League Unlimited. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Junior Reps Finals Week One: Sharks through to GF qualifiers". Sharks.com.au. Sharks Media. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Beatton, Joel (22 April 2024). "Dragons Pathways Wrap: Pair of squads punch Grand Final". Dragons.com.au. Retrieved 4 May 2024.