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”? 👇