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Tackles and Tinnies - E35 - Cronulla Sharks 2025 Review & 2026 Preview
18 Plays3 months ago
The Sharks had a strong 2025 on paper — 5th, 15–9, +109, with a top-6 attack and top-4 defence… but it still felt like classic Cronulla: flat-track bullies against the bottom half, then just not killer enough against the elite.
They did go on a legit finals crack — beat the Roosters (Week 1) and the minor premiers Raiders (Week 2) before falling to Melbourne in a tight prelim (22–14).
Now 2026 is where it gets spicy: Addin Fonua-Blake walks into the pack as a genuine marquee middle, with Hohepa Puru and Riley Jones added too — while Atkinson and Dykes are the notable exits.
We get into:
- Why the “big games” heat still follows Nicho Hynes
- Mulitalo + McInnes return timelines and what it changes
- The draw: 16th (second-easiest), Round 12 Origin bye, and a soft run home — “take advantage or waste a golden chance”
- Our call: Sharks finish 3rd in 2026
Cap or Fact: with the second-easiest draw and AFB up front, the Sharks are top-3 in 2026.
Sharks fans — where’ve you got them finishing, and are they contenders… or still “best of the non-contenders”? 👇
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Overview
00:00:00
Tackles and Tinnies
Yo, what's good, Tackles and Tinnies? Welcome back to the channel. For those who don't know me, my name is Ryan, and I'm going through every single and NRL team's 2025 review and looking at their 2026 preview.
00:00:13
Tackles and Tinnies
So if you haven't checked out all my other episodes, go to my LinkedIn page or go to my YouTube, TikTok, you name it, we're on it. You know the deal, guys. But I've gone through every single team so far, going from bottom to the top besides a couple of teams in a specific order.
Cronulla Sharks 2025 Performance Review
00:00:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Today's episode, we're going to the mighty Cronulla Sharks. So this team, rocks and diamonds here and there, and they're finally gaining a little bit more confidence and traction. But let's go through their 2025 snapshot.
00:00:43
Tackles and Tinnies
So latter, they caught fifth with a record of 15 wins and nine losses with a total of 36 points. points They had 599 points, but they've scored and only led in 490, which meant they were the sixth best attack and the fourth best defense.
00:01:01
Tackles and Tinnies
which gave them them a total differentiation of positive 109. Fantastic. Awesome. Again, defense wins championships. We talked about the Warriors yesterday, whose defense was unreal for 2025. However, they failed to score points. The Sharkies, they've got the best of both worlds. Sharks fans, you must be ecstatic overall for what you guys accomplished for the 2025 season.
00:01:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Fortress as well. Again, you guys at home were 10 wins to two losses when people gone to Shark Puck. My God, no one wanted to go there. I've had many discussions with some of my friends on this podcast channel looking at how...
00:01:40
Tackles and Tinnies
or why they've kept going to a Shark Park in regards to final series. Again, you guys got renovations and things that are alike that sort of deter the NRL wanting you guys to go to Shark Park and obviously due to your small capacity there. But there's obviously the reason why you guys are 10 wins and two losses.
00:01:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Amazing, fantastic. It's a fortress. No one wants to go there besides the Sharks players and obviously you loyal fans.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
00:02:06
Tackles and Tinnies
However, when you were away from Shark Park, you were beatable. You had five wins and seven losses.
00:02:13
Tackles and Tinnies
Those are the sort of things that are you need to work on for 2026, obviously. And on your run home, so your last five games, you had a bye within there, but you had three wins and one loss. So overall, you finished with a lot of momentum.
00:02:27
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, should be rested. And obviously, that came down to how you guys went overall. I think your vibe definitely was flat track bullies. When you versus teams who were near the bottom of the pecking order or ladder, you guys has absolutely pumped them.
00:02:41
Tackles and Tinnies
However, you definitely had games against, let's say, the top tier teams. Let's say Melbourne Storm, Bulldogs, Canberra at times. You guys did look vulnerable.
00:02:53
Tackles and Tinnies
You definitely looked vulnerable. How can you go moving forward for 2026? That is the real question. Talking about Craig Fitzgibbon now, how did he go for 2025? If I had to give a rating out of 10, probably 8.5 out of 10. I thought he was fantastic. Why was he not a 9 or a 10 out of 10?
00:03:10
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you guys didn't make the grand final for obvious reasons. So that's probably the main reason. Yeah, but you again, you guys finished in the top five. You're so close to getting to the number four seed, which could have made a big difference. Again, you're only...
00:03:26
Tackles and Tinnies
not making the top four due to points differentiation. Okay, so again, Broncos, 172 points differentiation. You guys were 109, so that's probably the biggest variable right there.
00:03:38
Tackles and Tinnies
But yeah, so why you guys didn't make probably the grand final, maybe it was due to that extra week of non-rests is probably the biggest reason why. Now, we talk about you guys being flat-track bullies.
00:03:51
Tackles and Tinnies
I thought overall you definitely sort of got rid of those hiccups overall in regards to the final series. So again, in week one, you versus the Roosters, you were coming in hot, can score a lot of points, but you held them to only 10 points where you guys won 20 to 10. So Fitzgibbon, well done.
00:04:09
Tackles and Tinnies
For week two, you smacked the Canberra Raiders. However, definitely worthy to note that they weren't at full strength. However, amazing. and obviously they played at Canberra. So kudos to you guys. You beat them 32 to 12.
00:04:23
Tackles and Tinnies
And then i remember this game vividly. I was going to Fraser Island. I was in my little hotel room with my little, I felt like a 25-inch television. And you guys just lost to the Melbourne Storm 22 to 14 at Amy Park Hats off, Sharks fans, and hats off to Craig Fitzgibbon. I think that's monumental effort that you guys had.
00:04:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Culture is another big thing that Craig Fitzgibbon has been renowned for. He wants that winning culture. He wants people to buy in. Fantastic. Again, he would be getting into the nine to nine and a half out of 10 if you guys got to the the grand final.
00:05:00
Tackles and Tinnies
One game short. Can he do that in 2026? Let me know in the comments below, guys. So roster movements for 2025 slash
2026 Team Changes and Signings
00:05:09
Tackles and Tinnies
2026. So for 2025, you had AFB, huge, monumental signing, marquee signing, one of the best front rowers, one of the best attacking front rowers in the game. He's come from the Warriors.
00:05:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, it's probably top three, definitely top five. Obviously got Payne Haas, Terramay, Joey Tarpane, Nafahu White, AFB. They're probably like your top guys. He's certainly in the conversation for that.
00:05:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Jorge Peru. i hope I pronounced that right, guys. Sorry if I got that wrong. But yeah, young middle lock with upside. got his twin brother there as well, which is amazing. And Riley Jones, another signing. Didn't get too many minutes, but again, more the depth piece.
00:05:53
Tackles and Tinnies
But i think the best thing for you guys is just stability. You've got these guys signed for... more longer term, not so much when we get to that shortly, but you've had a very similar team for a very long period of time. Hence why the cohesion, the culture is so good with the Sharkies. I think you guys can agree with that.
00:06:11
Tackles and Tinnies
But for 2026, you had two losses. Kay Dykes didn't play one minute of first grade. He's gone to the Bulldogs. And Daniel Atkinson, he signed quite early with the Dragons. He was a smoky to get minutes here and there, but he was pretty much your 18th man.
00:06:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Obviously, there was no necessary reason to play him. Trindle and Hines were always going to be healthy. He played some outside back minutes here and there, like on the wing, et cetera. But yeah, he didn't get many minutes. So overall for 2026, guys, you're looking pretty good.
00:06:42
Tackles and Tinnies
I want to go through all the contracts. And these the contracts from the Zero Tackle website. so I'm just going to rattle off names only for 2026 contracted only.
00:06:52
Tackles and Tinnies
So at the end of this season, guys, these are the guys who potentially will leave your club or need to be re-upped for your club. I might stop here and there to talk about some certain guys, but I'll give roses later on in the podcast.
00:07:05
Tackles and Tinnies
So just for 2026, Billy Burns, Braden Hamill-Yaweli,
00:07:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Cameron McInnes, so McInnes coming back from his ACL injury, I'm going to get talk about them him a little bit later. Not on huge money, not on a little bit of money, could be squeezed out. Again, we'll talk about him later on.
00:07:24
Tackles and Tinnies
Jorge Peru, 2026, again, talking about 2026 only. Jaden Beryl, 2026. Jesse Colquhoun, 2026. Jesse Ramian, 2026. jesse cohoun twenty twenty six jesse ramian
00:07:36
Tackles and Tinnies
2026, Haradi, he's gone to the Gold Coast Titans for next season. When he got the opportunity to to play, he was fantastic. Nephi Paru, hope we got that one right. He's there in 2026.
00:07:49
Tackles and Tinnies
He's literally like your only backup half. Again, we're going to talk about the halfback situation later on. Riley Jones, Sam Stone Street, again, he was injured there for a little bit, but I think overall he's going to be probably a mainstay for majority of the season due to a certain injury in Ronaldo Moulatalo.
00:08:11
Tackles and Tinnies
When he was given opportunity to Sam Stone Street, he was a gun. Let's see how he goes for this year this year on the wing. Sionukotoa, another 2026 guy.
00:08:21
Tackles and Tinnies
Talakai can play middle, can play edge, can play in the centers, played a lot of center this year when you had injuries to Kael Iro. Does he get re-upped? I'd hope so. He's got great versatility. Toby Rudolph, 2026,
00:08:36
Tackles and Tinnies
going to get this one wrong and i'm go butcher it. Sorry, guys. Takuha Tapau, I think. I probably got that so wrong, so sorry, he mate. But yeah, 2026. N. Will Kennedy, also 2026. He's probably guy we should discuss.
00:08:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Where does he fit long-term? Is he a top four fullback? just There's something about him that just... doesn't scream flashy.
00:09:01
Tackles and Tinnies
Those best teams like, well, Pappenhausen was there, KO Weeks, Recy Walsh. These are the type of guys who just, or so far longer, I guess you could say now. These are the type of guys who are just X-factor galore. You even got guys like Steven Crichton being a flex at fullback, obviously Trebojevic, Tedesco, Hammer,
00:09:22
Tackles and Tinnies
I think Will Kennedy is very similar to like a Chancel-Clockstead type of vibe. Very safe. Can be dynamo at times, but just lacks that out and out X factor.
00:09:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Have you got a guy pushing through the ranks? I don't really think so personally, which is also a concern. You lost a guy like Cade Dykes who could have been a sniff there. Maybe looking to get a guy for the 2027 season or maybe even push a guy like maybe Kale Iroh out there. But again, we'll talk about that later on.
00:09:56
Tackles and Tinnies
So now gonna talk about guys who extended past the 2026 season. So AFB, he signed to the end of 2028. Talked about him briefly just before, but he was fantastic. He's your alpha dog. He's your big pack leader.
00:10:10
Tackles and Tinnies
He's a guy who's gonna give you those X-factor tries through the middle. Blake Braley, all the roses to him. He's actually your longest signed player at the club. He's there to 2030.
00:10:21
Tackles and Tinnies
i When he got the license to roam and run from dummy half in probably like the second half of the year probably the best way to say it, you guys went to another level.
00:10:32
Tackles and Tinnies
He provides that huge X factor that you guys really didn't have. And he got that Australian call-up, which was fantastic from Kevin Walters. Didn't get a minute on the field, however...
00:10:43
Tackles and Tinnies
He's pretty much next in line if Harry Grand is not there. Obviously, a World Cup coming up. He's probably going to be on the tour, assuming he stays true to form. Blake Braley, amazing. And also, your captain.
00:10:54
Tackles and Tinnies
Fantastic.
00:10:56
Tackles and Tinnies
Braden Trindle, Tricky Trindle. He's there to 20-28. Is he a 5'8"? Is he a halfback? I don't think it matters. yeah He plays like a halfback. He plays like the alpha male or plays like the alpha male in regards to the halves combination.
00:11:09
Tackles and Tinnies
We're always going to have the conversation of him and Nico Hines, who's a six, who's a seven. I don't think it matters, guys. I think they're slowly understanding each other's game and who takes control when and where.
00:11:22
Tackles and Tinnies
They're definitely both confident players, particularly Nico Hines, but Tricky Trindle is a gun and yeah, he's obviously locked in long-term. Britton Nikara had a injury at the back end of the year, had a lot of impact actually off the bench for you guys. I do predict him to start, but for the guys who don't have a list of any of my podcasts for all these team reviews, I go through the top 17.
00:11:45
Tackles and Tinnies
There's obviously Smokey talk about the top 19, so I'm going to go a top 19 to cover all bases. Does Nikara start? Let me know in the comments. Another guy who signed long-term, Kale Iroh, Gunn.
00:11:57
Tackles and Tinnies
I see him being a Longstead, one of the best centers in the game for a long period of time. He's at a 20-29. Does he maybe get fullback at the end of this season? He's so good defensive in the front line. It's like Steven Crichton sort of vibe in regards to his impact in defense.
00:12:17
Tackles and Tinnies
I wouldn't mind seeing him get more ball because when he gets ball, my God, he is deadly. Does he manage to become the fullback in 2027? Cale Ero, let me know in the comments. That is a huge talking point.
00:12:29
Tackles and Tinnies
If Kennedy goes down, who is next
2026 Season Outlook and Predictions
00:12:32
Tackles and Tinnies
in line? My guess, Cale Ero. Let me know in the comments. Nico Hines also signed long-term. He's there in 2029. Yeah, him and Tricky Trindle. Again, I just talked about Trindle before, but the yin to the yang,
00:12:47
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably Nico Hines had a better finish of the year. Obviously has been bashed in the media for many, many years regarding his ability to ice games that against the top teams.
00:13:00
Tackles and Tinnies
He's a flat-track bully against the bottom four teams. I think he proved himself in the back end of the in the final series, stepping up when needed. And particularly even against the Melbourne game when you guys didn't win, he still wanted the ball. And that's all you can ask from a halfback slash 5'8", or your main playmaker, the guy the big bickies.
00:13:19
Tackles and Tinnies
Great converter, good culture guy, one of the nicest guys in the league. Nico Hines, fantastic. He definitely was my super coach nemesis. However, for you guys as Shark fans, yeah, well done.
00:13:30
Tackles and Tinnies
You got a very good keeper there. Orokin Confusi, he signed in 2027. Big bop, hard running nose middle. Good compliment to AFB. We'll talk about him later on the podcast. Ronaldo Moulatalo, he signed in 2028.
00:13:46
Tackles and Tinnies
Arguably one of the most athletic outside backs in the game. I love his energy. Love Ronaldo Moulatalo's energy. The enthusiasm that he plays with, not many people in the game can replicate that.
00:13:59
Tackles and Tinnies
And that just helps with culture. So athletic, so fast. He's a gun, absolute gun. You will sorely miss him for at least probably three quarters of the season. He's coming from back from an ACL injury.
00:14:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Sam Stoenstrand, next man up. Let's see how he goes. But yeah, Moolatalo, they're twenty twenty eight Teague Wilton, there to 2027. He's been my super coach draft mainstay for the past couple of years. I thought he was fantastic on the edge, super consistent, Mr. Reliable, hard-nosed running, tackle bot.
00:14:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, he's only going to get better with another offseason underneath his belt. Big Tommy Hazleton, down to the end of 2028. He's done.
00:14:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Can he get more minutes? It's a pretty stacked pack. And when he's close to the line, bloody hell, he's hard to stop, isn't he? But I would like to see him potentially get a start or over Oregon Kofusi.
00:14:53
Tackles and Tinnies
Where do you see that, guys? Would you rather Hazleton come off the bench or would you rather see him start? That's definitely a question of the discussion. He does have great impact. And, yeah, he's just a big bop.
00:15:04
Tackles and Tinnies
Very hard to tackle close to the line. So, there guys, that's your team in regards to contract situations. You got a couple of guys signed long-term in Nico Hines, Trindle, Kale Ero, Moula Tarlow, and Blake Braley, obviously, AFB.
00:15:20
Tackles and Tinnies
That's your core moving forward. You got a lot of guys off contract. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen More than half of your roster, so players, more than half of your roster is Are you guys looking for a big splash potentially at that fullback position for the 2027 season? Let me know in the comments.
00:15:48
Tackles and Tinnies
That's a big talking point. Now, how did 2025 feel in my eyes? Attack, one of the best regular season attacks.
00:16:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Very good edges in regards to Nicarar and Teague Wilton. I thought they were great. Trindle's still your big top dog, wanting the ball, wanting to have those flashy plays. I am concerned in regards to your overall fullback attacking punch at the back. But again, six attack in the league for 2025, amazing.
00:16:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Defense, top four. That's where you hang your hat on guys. Okay, so you hang your hat on this. Still one of the best defenses. Teams still struggle to score against you.
00:16:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Overall, very consistent. Missed KL Arrow for large chunk of the season. thought he was one of your best edge defenders. But again, can't really bag you guys too much.
00:16:53
Tackles and Tinnies
You were fantastic. Again, you guys conceded 490 points. I believe the Bulldogs off first glance was top at 414. a Storm maybe second at 459.
00:17:06
Tackles and Tinnies
and Panthers at 469. So really, guys, you weren't far behind the the top teams. Now, moving forward, over-unders, performances. So my people who exceeded expectations or who were over-expected, Tommy Hazleton. Again, I disclosed him a little bit before.
00:17:25
Tackles and Tinnies
When given the opportunity to be on the field, I thought he was fantastic. Okay, very hard to stop close to the line. Big bot. Can be a little slow-footed laterally at times.
00:17:36
Tackles and Tinnies
However, again, good punch when given the opportunity. Talked about this guy as well, Teague Wilton. Got injured a couple of times throughout the year, but very solid back rower.
00:17:46
Tackles and Tinnies
a Very good line runner. He's going to be a mainstay for you guys moving forward. KL Iro and Sam Soane Street, tell two stories here as well. When given the opportunity, both of them were fantastic, particularly Sam Soane Street. He's going to be mainstay with you guys now with Ronaldo Molotilo being injured with the ACL.
00:18:06
Tackles and Tinnies
And I thought you guys severely missed KL Iro. Obviously got there in the back end of the season. Probably looked a little bit underdone, but gone. Absolute gone.
00:18:18
Tackles and Tinnies
when When they were both there, amazing. I thought Oregon Kofusi, another guy I talked about earlier on, was a very good complement to AFB. Huge body, only going to get better. More reps, another offseason.
00:18:31
Tackles and Tinnies
Kofusi, very good. And you can never have too many big bot middles coming at you as a team. And obviously the last guy we need to talk about is probably Blake Braley. I thought he was fantastic. Again, I talked about him getting that license to roam in the second half of the season.
00:18:50
Tackles and Tinnies
He was popping off hundreds left, right, in center and center on Supercoach for a fair bit. Obviously Kevin Walters, as I mentioned earlier, said that he's probably the next in line if Harry Grant is not there. Got that call up. Didn't get a minute on the field, but he's just a gun.
00:19:04
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm expecting huge things from your captain 2026. in twenty twenty sixs Let me know, guys. Am I over-exaggerating for some of these guys? Am I missing someone? Let me know in the comments.
00:19:16
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, Caveats here, guys. Underperformers slash talking points. Keyword, talking points. Nico Hines. I don't think he necessarily underperformed, but he still gets bashed a little bit within the media and the scope of you guys overall against flat-track bully, against bottom four teams, versing top four teams where he sometimes looks a bit, not overwhelmed, but...
00:19:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Tricky Trindle wants the ball more than him. Still a Daliam level halfback talent, can certainly still play origin if need be for New South Wales. I just want the aggression. I want the dog. i remember I can't remember what game it was, guys. I should have noted this down. But when remember there was a game, he was just pissed off.
00:20:02
Tackles and Tinnies
You want that. If Nico Heise is pissed off, he just wants the ball every single time and every single set and looking to take the line on. I think got a double that game. I think it was close to the back end of the season. Let me know in the comments, guys. You probably know the game i'm talking about.
00:20:15
Tackles and Tinnies
But when he looks like he wants to run the ball with vigor and aggression, it goes to another level. I thought your defensive resiliency overall was fantastic. Sometimes you guys switched off a little bit, but when the games mattered and counted, again, we can talk about the final series.
00:20:32
Tackles and Tinnies
Amazing. Another talking point, Ronaldo Molotalo and his ACL injury. Does he come back this year? I'm hoping so for you guys. He's got all the X factors. He's probably got the most X factor in your back line.
00:20:47
Tackles and Tinnies
attacking star can find a trial line, left, right, center. And the energy that he brings, big talking point. Who's going to be that next energy guy? Off the top of my head, probably Trindle, maybe. Let me know. I want that guy with that enthusiasm, outspoken loud on the field that sort of pumps people up.
00:21:08
Tackles and Tinnies
Who is that next guy, guys? Let me know. Cameron McInnes, ACL return expected between rounds one to round six. It's a pretty big, or it's month bracket. That's called an NRL physio on Instagram.
00:21:21
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you guys definitely missed his tackle bot prowess at times, particularly in the final series against Melbourne. Where does he lie in the future for you guys.
00:21:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Does he get re re-signed? That's probably the biggest question. Again, I mentioned earlier, he's probably not on huge money, but he's definitely on a little bit of coin. Will he get squeezed out for other guys?
00:21:45
Tackles and Tinnies
Would a team like the the Perth Bears look to re re-sign him? Do the Sharks get him another year? Let me know in the comments, where do you want Cameron McInnes? Is he getting re-signed for 2027?
00:21:58
Tackles and Tinnies
think it comes down to his form coming back post-ACL. The biggest question mark, and i was actually quite surprised, is actually your half depth. So now that you've lost Daniel Atkinson, who was your next man up in the halves, if Hines or Trindle goes down, who goes in there next?
00:22:16
Tackles and Tinnies
There's one guy that I saw on your roster who has a half on there. It's one of the Peru boys, which I'll talk about soon. But if Hines or Trindle goes down, guys, I'm quite concerned.
00:22:26
Tackles and Tinnies
You're probably going to have to get Yeah, a Q, a New South Wales Cup guy come up or one of your outside backs to fill a role. I'm bit concerned in your half depth. That's going to be a big talking point if one of those two guys go down.
00:22:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Who do you have at 5'8 or half back if Hines or Trindle goes down, guys? Let me know in the comments below. Now, for the people who don't know haven't seen my other prior episodes, this the 2026 draw and strength of schedule, according to Fox Sports. So Fox Sports gets all the analytics and data, and they look at teams who you verse from the 2025 top four, top eight, bottom four teams. They get all these numbers and put it into a one to 17, 17 being the best, one being the hardest.
00:23:09
Tackles and Tinnies
one being the hardest You guys, Cronulla Shark fans, you are going to be very happy with this. You guys are 16th, which is the second easiest draw in the comp. Lucky you guys.
00:23:21
Tackles and Tinnies
So teams, they play twice, or Sharky's guys play twice. Rabbitohs should be better. I think we can all argue that they should be better, should be healthier. Dolphins should be better, should be healthier.
00:23:34
Tackles and Tinnies
They're equally as stacked. I think Dolphins is probably going to be the biggest riser in 2026.
00:23:41
Tackles and Tinnies
Warriors, mainstays. I just did their team review just before this podcast. So guys, let me know when you guys watch that. Warriors are a top five team in regards to their defense. However, their attack, that's where they struggle.
00:23:56
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you guys have their number though. Roosters should be better. You've got some guns now with DCE, Recy Robson, more cohesion in regards to their four-pack with Nafahu White and guys coming back from injury.
00:24:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Tedesco, obviously, enough said there. They're going be very hard to beat. Raiders, obviously lost Fogarty, big loss there. However, plenty of young guys within that team.
00:24:22
Tackles and Tinnies
They should all be getting better and more confident. That's going to be a very hard team to beat. Dragons, young forward pack. New halves combination, the Daniel Atkinson bowl, we could probably call it, should be beatable for you guys.
00:24:37
Tackles and Tinnies
Gold Coast Titans, that's my team. I'd like to say you're not going to beat them, but until proven otherwise, I think you've got their number, that's for sure. But they should be better on paper.
00:24:48
Tackles and Tinnies
And Manly Seagulls, who bloody knows? They've got Jamal Fogarty there now instead of DCE. Can Tom Treborjevic stay healthy? Have they got enough forwards? We will see, but definitely should be winning those.
00:25:00
Tackles and Tinnies
So they're the teams you play twice. Gaines versus 2025 top eight teams, you got 10. Gaines versus 2025 top four teams, you got five. And Gaines versus the bottom four teams, you got seven.
00:25:12
Tackles and Tinnies
So again, pretty desirable draw. So in regards to the pros, according Fox Sports, you got a softish, soft-ish, keyword-ish start. Titans, Panthers, Dolphins, Raiders, all within the first month. Panthers and Raiders should be pretty hard games. Titans should be winnable. Dolphins, they've got a lot of question marks in regards to who is going to be in their team.
00:25:35
Tackles and Tinnies
Definitely all winnable, and you've got three of the first five at home, ideal. You've got a buy in round 12, which is amazing during the Origin period. You're probably not going to be too affected by Origin. You probably ideally want to be playing teams who are...
00:25:50
Tackles and Tinnies
Heavily affected, which we'll talk about shortly. a Very soft run home, only three games versus last year's top eight in the final 11 weeks. Very desirable, very desirable. You guys wanna be making sure that your combination's ready.
00:26:05
Tackles and Tinnies
Will Metallo be back in time? few question marks there but I think you guys should have a cruisy run home trying to lock in that top four position which probably affected you guys in the final couple of games obviously versing Melbourne storm and the prelim and only play three top eight teams twice across the whole entire year pretty good can't complain in there And cons, short turnaround to face Manly after Origin 1. Again, you guys probably won't be too affected, if not at all.
00:26:38
Tackles and Tinnies
i don't project anyone making Origin for you guys. Amazing. Even the short turnaround. Manly maybe have Turbo. no Maybe Ola Kawatu.
00:26:51
Tackles and Tinnies
That's probably the top the guys the top of my head. So yeah, pretty evenly matched in regards to that. But you guys should have their number, definitely. You have to play the Warriors during Origin 2 and Broncos during Origin 3. Both could be tricky depending on rep toll for both sides. Again, I don't see the Warriors getting anyone probably for Origin.
00:27:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe Kurt Capewell. Broncos are going to be yeah pretty decimated with Payne Haas, Kerrigan, maybe Peter Corral, Recy Walsh, maybe Shibasaki.
00:27:21
Tackles and Tinnies
yeah They're going to be pretty heavily affected. That's the kind of team you want to be versing because they could be resting guys. which is good. Again, you want that. Hence why it's the easiest strength to schedule.
00:27:32
Tackles and Tinnies
So on paper, your draw screams take advantage or waste a golden chance to move up the ladder. Again, you need that top four. It's been proven. No one outside the top four has won the championship.
00:27:44
Tackles and Tinnies
So Broncos just scraped in just above you guys. They won. Who knows? Now, this is my projected 2026 starting 17 slash starting 19, depending if the rule goes through.
00:27:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Peter Volandi is pretty confident that we're going to have 19 players in the squad, but the people who do not know what is happening, We're going from 17 players to 19 players, meaning that you'll have, instead of four players on the bench, you'll have six players on the bench, and out of those six players on the bench, only four of them can play. So for example, if Jersey 14, 15, 16, 17 all play, Jersey 18 and 19 will then, will cannot play unless they are used as an emergency reserve, like the concussion rule or foul play rule. Okay, they're your emergency reserves.
00:28:34
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm assuming it's top 19 because Peter Volandi is pretty confident this rule is going through regardless of what management and coaches think. So again, bear with me. i've How I projected this team is obviously from 2025. I've looked at different people like SC Supercoach. I've looked at Fox Sports, I've looked at nrl.com and obviously the eye test and where I predict people or where I want them to be.
00:29:01
Tackles and Tinnies
There's going to be arguments, there's going to be debates, let me know in the comments below. So the starting 13, at this stage, Will Kennedy. Okay, until proven otherwise and you guys sign someone, I don't think anyone is going to take his spot. So Will Kennedy, lock and load, safe as houses.
00:29:18
Tackles and Tinnies
Sione Katoa on the wing along with Sam Soanstreet. I think those guys are pretty much lock and load an all entire year. Katoa obviously represented Tonga, which is great for his confidence.
00:29:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Can be a bit wishy-washy under the high ball, but fantastic ball runner. Sam Soanstreet feeling in for Ronaldo Molotalo. When given the opportunity last year, he was a gun and the year prior. Gun.
00:29:41
Tackles and Tinnies
i project him to have a bit of a breakout season. Currently, he's in my super coach team. Kale Iroh and Jesse Ramian, lock and low, those two are mainstays in the centres. Maybe a Kale Iroh gets shifted to fullback if there's injuries in the halves. I don't know. That's going to be a very interesting call with you guys there.
00:29:59
Tackles and Tinnies
Both very good defensively as well. In the halves, I've got Tricky Trindle at 5'8", and Nico Hines at halfback. Nico Hines is going to be your goal kicker with Trindle being your backup. Yeah, we've seen this combination for many years now, guys. Pretty stable. Their chemistry should be only improving with more reps.
00:30:18
Tackles and Tinnies
And I think getting to the prelim together is only going to be beneficial. At the front row position, same as last year, AFB at prop. He's your big alpha male, your top dog. He's tri-scoring threat, along with Oregon Kofusi, big bopper, pretty athletic, mobile for how big he is, can break a line.
00:30:38
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, I see him starting over guys like Tomo Hazleton or Rudolph. Then at hooker, lock and load is your captain is Blake Braley. What can I say? If he's still got that license room, which I do project him to have, yeah, he's just going to be an absolute gun for you guys. He's going to bring your attack to another level, hopefully within the top four of attack, which might be that little bit better to get you into the top four, meaning that you get that extra rest in the second week of the finals.
00:31:05
Tackles and Tinnies
In the second row, I've currently got Britton Nikara and Teague Wilton. Both those goes guys overall were mainstays in the second row. Nikara, gun for New Zealand, one of the best line runners and hole runners in the comp.
00:31:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Teague Wilton, Mr. Consistent, only getting better of more reps. Yeah, very lucky to have a Nico Hines and Trindle giving them good pill as well. As I mentioned earlier, Karen McInnes is probably going to be my lock. However, he won't be returning until round one.
00:31:36
Tackles and Tinnies
So it could be the start of the year to round six. If he does not start the year, I got Jesse Colquhoun starting at lock. If McInnes is back, Colquhoun will then be shifted to the extended bench.
00:31:49
Tackles and Tinnies
McInnes, yeah, tackle bot. So Mr. Reliable, got like what, 70-something tackles in one game or something. Got like the NRL record. Insane. And Cole Hoon, only getting better with more experience. He just needs the minutes, guys.
00:32:01
Tackles and Tinnies
On the bench, I've got Billy Burns. okay He also filled in a role at second row and Nikara was coming off the bench. Billy Burns, pretty good. Pretty good. Definitely some teams out there could be using a second row of a starting caliber. Billy Burns is that. He's just got a tough go with Teague, Wilton and Nikara there.
00:32:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Sifatala Kai can play center. Can play middle off the bench. Can play second row. He's a gun. He's perfect utility guys for you.
00:32:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you want him starting? That is a question to have, particularly at second row. You can maybe push a guy like Teague Wooden. I do like his impact off the bench, however, due to his leg speed and his low center of gravity.
00:32:44
Tackles and Tinnies
Yeah, perfect out-and-out utility in my eyes. Does slightly change now with the top 19, but I think going off his ability to play center, you're going to have an out-and-out outside back on the bench like my previous previews.
00:32:58
Tackles and Tinnies
My two middles coming off the bench, I've got Tommy Hazleton and Toby Rudolph. Both Mr. Consistence. Both experienced, hard-nosed running tackle bots.
00:33:09
Tackles and Tinnies
tellmm me or Toby Rudolph could definitely be starting over Oroko Konfusi. That's up for debate. Could even start at lock. so Toby Rudolph will be fighting for that in the preseason.
00:33:20
Tackles and Tinnies
Nephi Peru, so we talked about his brother earlier on being a middle sort of player. His brother in Nephi Peru is the only backup halfback slash 5'8 on the roster according to nrol.com.
00:33:36
Tackles and Tinnies
That is concerning. He's pretty unproven, guys. If one of those guys goes down, Nephi Peru, according to nrol.com, is the only backup half. Concerning, concerning, concerning, concerning.
00:33:48
Tackles and Tinnies
Do you have guy like Cale Iroh or Will Kennedy shift into the halves over him? I'm not sure. Would your other Nephi Peru get more game time in the younger grades to get those reps in?
00:34:00
Tackles and Tinnies
That is a big discussion to have. Nephi Peru, if he's not on the extended bench, I got a guy like probably
00:34:11
Tackles and Tinnies
maybe a Braden Hamuelle. Probably the next guy up. Maybe even a guy like Jaden Beryls. He looks like a backup sort of yeah hooker. Or probably even a guy like Horati. So he's gone to the Gold Coast Titans for 2027.
00:34:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Probably an ideal outside back replacement. But with Talakai there, I think you more lean towards either a hooker or a halfback replacement on the bench.
00:34:42
Tackles and Tinnies
Where do you see Nephi Peru, guys? Does he come off the extended bench and not get potentially any minutes would rather than playing New South Wales Cup? Let me know on in the comments. And the last guy on the extended bench is Jesse Colquhoun. He is like that backup lock.
00:34:57
Tackles and Tinnies
Might miss out potentially if McInnes is back. There's definitely going to be spots up for grabs. Again, Hemueli could be another guy. Jadon Berro, as I mentioned before.
00:35:07
Tackles and Tinnies
Jesse Colquhoun. All these guys are fighting for that. last sort of position because you've got a lot of similar guys on the bench.
00:35:16
Tackles and Tinnies
Smokey selections, yeah, again, Hojeperu could be pushing out guys like his brother in the halves, could be pushing out a guy like Jesse Colquhoun, could be pushing out a guy like Brendan Hemoyele, maybe not a guy like, yeah, just one injury away, guys, a guy like that could pop in.
00:35:38
Tackles and Tinnies
That's probably the biggest smokey. Maybe a guy like Nephi. Does he start as a halfback? Probably rather him get more development minutes in your self-hullest cup and get wasted on the bench.
00:35:51
Tackles and Tinnies
That's probably the biggest one. Not loving your depth there, to be honest, in your halves. Am I over-exaggerating? Let me know the comments. Now, big 2026 storylines. Can AFB and Hines, plus your so soft draw, again, you've got the second best draw in the comp, guys. Can you lock in a top four?
00:36:11
Tackles and Tinnies
Can you lock in a top four? You've got all the puzzle pieces. They all look like they're fitting together, particularly all this cohesion that you have. Will you guys make top four? Please let me know the comments below.
00:36:22
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, with next question ask, Trindle, Hines, is it still the Trindle show? Can Hines have that alpha male, that aggression that we've I've talked about earlier on the podcast?
00:36:34
Tackles and Tinnies
Or is going to be much of the same of them taking turns, you go, go? Tell me in the comments. Now, Craig Fitzgibbon, another question. i think he's done a fantastic job, as I talked about earlier. I him like an 8.5 out 10.
00:36:49
Tackles and Tinnies
He needs to get to a grand final. This is the year. As I mentioned earlier, guys, you have 16 out of your top 30 players off contract. This is the year.
00:37:00
Tackles and Tinnies
If you guys do not make top four this year, I'm struggling to see you guys, unless you get a gun fullback in 2027, stay in the top four. Let me know. am I over-exaggerating?
00:37:12
Tackles and Tinnies
Sam Strone Street, can he replicate what Ronaldo Molotalo has? Obviously, he has his own spin on the position on the wing. Fantastic finisher. Bit of an aerial threat, but Ronaldo has that X factor.
00:37:25
Tackles and Tinnies
Are you guys going to miss that? Am I over-exaggerating? Again, let me know in the comments.
00:37:30
Tackles and Tinnies
Now... For the people don't know, this is a constant and consistent segment throughout my attention being a podcast, so but this is a 2026 ladder prediction and I'm using chat GPT to ask me the question of cap and fact at the very end.
00:37:44
Tackles and Tinnies
So that's our mainstay segment for this podcast, but the 2026 ladder predictor. So we're factoring their strength of schedule. We're factoring in how they performed in 2025. So in 2025, you guys were fifth with a record of 15 to 9 with 109 point differentiation. You were this close from top four.
00:38:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, where do you guys rank? I'm predicting top four. I'm projecting four. I'm going to say three to fifth.
00:38:13
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm playing it safe. Three to fifth. I think you guys are just missing out on the top two. However, you guys have a lot of consistency. I do have a bit of worry regarding your half depth.
00:38:23
Tackles and Tinnies
Even at fullback, I'm a little little worried about there. Your forwards are fantastic. Fantastic forward depth. That's probably of my biggest question mark. If you guys can stay healthy, which you guys have proven you have done, touch wood, you do the same in 2026.
00:38:37
Tackles and Tinnies
I think you guys are going to be pretty sweet. I'm projecting third to fifth for you guys in 2026. Your ceiling. Can you get to first and second? Yes, definitely. You got the forward pack to do so. Trindle and Hines are pretty durable players.
00:38:52
Tackles and Tinnies
I am concerned if one goes down. Yeah, could definitely be a top two team, maybe. Craig Fitzgibbon, tell me otherwise. Your floor.
00:39:02
Tackles and Tinnies
if your ceiling's one to two I've got you three to five, probably your floor is six to eight. There is potentially some regression inevitable for this team, particularly within your half depth.
00:39:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Maybe you bit of X factor now that Ronaldo Molotalo is in there. I think your four pack is so good. However, I think you're still a top eight team definitely. So six to eight is probably your floor.
00:39:26
Tackles and Tinnies
You guys are one of the best defensive teams. You're top four defensive team.
00:39:29
Tackles and Tinnies
Now, to end the show, ChatGPT has gave me a question. Cap or fact? With the second easiest draw in AFB up front, the Sharks finished top three in 2026? Well, I've got them third to fifth, so I'm going to say top three because I think they maybe missed top three just again.
00:39:51
Tackles and Tinnies
However... Health pending. If you guys are good in your primary key positions, I do see potential top three finish. As I mentioned with your ceiling being one to two Yeah, caveats galore.
00:40:05
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm really struggling, guys. I've said this in every other podcast that I've done this year with all these season reviews slash previews. Their league is so good.
00:40:15
Tackles and Tinnies
Anyone on their day could win in 2026 in my eyes. Even the doldrums of the Newcastle Knights and the mighty Gold Coast Titans could be down there as well. We'll see.
00:40:26
Tackles and Tinnies
Time will tell. Time will tell. I want to know where you think the Cronulla Sharks are going finish, guys, in 2026. Am I capping? Am I facting? You let me know in the comments below. I appreciate all the the people listening and providing feedback in the comments section. I'm loving the conversations. I'm a school teacher by trade. This is what I do. I just talk for a living.
00:40:46
Tackles and Tinnies
But I want you guys liking. I want you guys telling your mate and sharing it. Again, the more... traction that we're getting on social media and through the podcasting forums, the more recognition that we're getting. And again, provides me more motivation to keep pumping out content.
00:41:02
Tackles and Tinnies
Currently, it's the 20th of January. I'm doing a second podcast today with my mate, Chris. He's a mainstay on the show. Supercoach Gunn will second in turn to me. so But yeah, we're doing a West Tigers review.
00:41:15
Tackles and Tinnies
I'm going to try to get Morgan up for the Rabideaus preview and then got some teams like the Broncos. I'm assuming some of the boys want to be talking about them, particularly Sambo who helped me with the the Titans. So,
00:41:28
Tackles and Tinnies
Again, like, share, subscribe, comment. Tell them, mate. Goes a long way, guys. Love you all. Appreciate you guys listening and taking the time with my podcast. Enjoy your day. See you later.