Cronulla-Sutherland

Real club history, premierships, Grand Final appearances, and ladder finishes, aggregated from our sourced rugby league archive.

Data last verified: 11 August 2026.

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Cronulla-Sutherland — 1 premiership on record (2016).

Club Background

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby Football League in January 1967, the first new club welcomed into the competition since Parramatta and Manly two decades earlier. They compete in the NRL, playing home games at PointsBet Stadium (formerly Endeavour Field) in Woolooware, which they moved into in 1968 and uniquely own outright among Sydney clubs.

Honours

Premiership
Winners (1)2016
Runners-up (3)1973, 1978, 1997 (Super League)
Minor Premiership
Winners (2)1988, 1999
World Club Challenge
Runners-up (1)2017

League history

1st 16th 1967: 12 of 121968: 10 of 121969: 12 of 121970: 7 of 121971: 7 of 121972: 8 of 121973: 2 of 121974: 9 of 121975: 8 of 121976: 8 of 121977: 6 of 121978: 2 of 121979: 3 of 121980: 9 of 121981: 4 of 121982: 9 of 141983: 9 of 141984: 10 of 131985: 8 of 131986: 10 of 131987: 8 of 131988: 1 of 161989: 6 of 161990: 10 of 161991: 10 of 161992: 13 of 161993: 10 of 161994: 7 of 161995: 4 of 201996: 5 of 201997 Super League: 2 of 101998: 11 of 201999: 1 of 172000: 8 of 142001: 4 of 142002: 5 of 152003: 12 of 152004: 11 of 152005: 7 of 152006: 13 of 152007: 11 of 162008: 3 of 162009: 15 of 162010: 14 of 162011: 13 of 162012: 7 of 162013: 5 of 162014: 16 of 162015: 6 of 162016: 3 of 162017: 5 of 162018: 4 of 162019: 7 of 162020: 8 of 162021: 9 of 162022: 2 of 162023: 6 of 172024: 4 of 172025: 5 of 17 1967197119751979198319871991199519992003200720112015201920232025

Final ladder position each season on record (1967–2025) — 1st at the top. Hover a point for the exact position and field size that season.

Full table
SeasonFinal position
20255 of 17
20244 of 17
20236 of 17
20222 of 16
20219 of 16
20208 of 16
20197 of 16
20184 of 16
20175 of 16
20163 of 16
20156 of 16
201416 of 16
20135 of 16
20127 of 16
201113 of 16
201014 of 16
200915 of 16
20083 of 16
200711 of 16
200613 of 15
20057 of 15
200411 of 15
200312 of 15
20025 of 15
20014 of 14
20008 of 14
19991 of 17
199811 of 20
1997 Super League2 of 10
19965 of 20
19954 of 20
19947 of 16
199310 of 16
199213 of 16
199110 of 16
199010 of 16
19896 of 16
19881 of 16
19878 of 13
198610 of 13
19858 of 13
198410 of 13
19839 of 14
19829 of 14
19814 of 12
19809 of 12
19793 of 12
19782 of 12
19776 of 12
19768 of 12
19758 of 12
19749 of 12
19732 of 12
19728 of 12
19717 of 12
19707 of 12
196912 of 12
196810 of 12
196712 of 12

Club history

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby Football League in January 1967, the first new club welcomed into the competition since Parramatta and Manly two decades earlier, largely through the drive of founder Peter Burns. Coached by former Test hooker Ken Kearney, the Sharks pulled off a shock win over Easts in their opening match of the 1967 season despite finishing last overall. The club's sky-blue jersey with a white V was borrowed from the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, and the "Sharks" name reflected the beachside Sutherland Shire community. After two seasons at Sutherland Oval, the Sharks moved in 1968 to Endeavour Field at Woolooware (now PointsBet Stadium), which they still occupy and uniquely own outright among Sydney clubs.

Cronulla's history became defined by an agonising premiership drought. They lost the 1973 grand final to Manly 10-7, and were denied again in 1978, drawing 11-11 with Manly in the decider before losing the replay 16-0. Despite fielding stars across five decades, the title eluded them further, a low point compounded by the 2011 ASADA supplements scandal and a 2014 wooden spoon. The 59-year wait finally ended in 2016, when Cronulla beat Melbourne Storm 14-12 in the grand final, with veteran Luke Lewis named man of the match.

Grand Final appearances (1973-2016)

YearResultOpponentScore
2016WonMelbourne Storm14-12
1997-slLostBrisbane Broncos8-26
1978LostManly-Warringah0-16
1973LostManly-Warringah7-10

Sources

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