<h2>Cronulla Sharks 2025 Season Summary</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ladder position: </strong>5th.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Wins:</strong> 15.</p> <p><strong>Losses:</strong> 9.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Draws:</strong> 0.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Biggest win:</strong> 54 - 22 vs Gold Coast Titans - Round 24.</p> <p><strong>Biggest loss: </strong>10 - 40 vs NZ Warriors -&nbsp; Round 14.</p> <p><strong>Leading try scorer: </strong>Ronaldo Mulitalo (14).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cronulla Sharks started their 2025 campaign in red-hot form, kicking off the season with a six-game winning streak that firmly planted them in the top eight early.&nbsp;</p> <p>Led by a composed Nicho Hynes and the ever-consistent Blayke Brailey, the Sharks played disciplined, controlled footy and picked up key wins over the likes of the Roosters and Broncos.&nbsp;</p> <p>One of their season highlights came in Round 10, when they outmuscled the Storm in a dominant performance that turned heads.</p> <p>But despite their strong start, Cronulla have flown under the radar for much of the year—consistently good, but not quite breaking into that “great” category. A mid-season slump, mixed with some defensive lapses and injuries, highlighted areas still to improve.&nbsp;</p> <p>Even so, they managed to steady the ship and close out the year with the kind of resilience and polish that’s become their trademark under Craig Fitzgibbon.&nbsp;</p> <p>This marks the fourth straight season the Sharks have qualified for finals, quietly proving themselves as one of the NRL’s most consistent clubs.</p> <p>Their biggest highlights remain that Round 10 dismantling of Melbourne, and putting a half-century of points on the hapless Titans, but the major talking point heading into the finals is whether this side can finally take the next step and convert consistency into a genuine premiership push.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks Players to Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Nicho Hynes</h3> <p>The superstar playmaker has been in the firing line of the critics for not stepping up in big moments.&nbsp;</p> <p>Having been cleared to play after a dangerous contact charge was downgraded, it presents the perfect opportunity to deliver after a commanding season in the No. 7 jersey.&nbsp;</p> <p>His vision and control, along with his kicking game and leadership, have been crucial in tight contests for the Sharks this season, and he continues to be the X-Factor in Cronulla’s attack.&nbsp;</p> <p>Has the Premiership experience with the Storm, but this finals run will do a lot for his overall legacy.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Blayke Brailey</h3> <p>There’s probably no better time than finals time to be in career-best form. That’s the case here for Sharks dummy-half Blayke Brailey.</p> <p>His clean service, sharp decision-making, and relentless defensive efforts have been central to the Sharks’ season.&nbsp;</p> <p>Freshly re-signed at Shark Park until the end of 2030, the acting captain’s game management and ability to control the ruck, Brailey shapes as a key figure in the Sharks' finals run.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Addin Fonua-Blake</h3> <p>When clubs go shopping in the off-season, it’s for this time of year in mind.</p> <p>That was the Sharks’ thinking when they got the big front rower over from the Warriors for this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>24 games this season with 66 tackle breaks and crashing over the line six times too. He’ll need to set the tone when the games become physical battles.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks NRL Finals Preview – Why They Can Win It</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With an experienced core, a settled spine and hitting the finals in good form, the Sharks have all the ingredients to get on a run and potentially win the Premiership from fifth.&nbsp;</p> <p>They finished the home and away season as the third best defensive team in the competition and rank top five in completion rate and metres gained.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hynes and Brailey have controlled the centre and game management and Cam McInnes gives the grunt to the forward pack that is needed in finals footy.</p> <p>Add in the scoring power of Muliato and Katoa, they have the scoring threats across the park. If they maintain their discipline, they can get on a run and surprise a few here.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks NRL Finals Preview – Why They Can’t Win It</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While the Sharks have been consistent this season, doubts still remain on if they can match it with the very best in class in the NRL for 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve struggled against top-four sides, winning just one of six games in 2025.</p> <p>We mentioned them needing to keep discipline in check, Cronulla ranks in the bottom third in the competition for penalties conceded – which you can imagine in finals, only get more amplified and draw more criticism.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>If they can’t find another gear, they will be left wanting and fall short yet again.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks NRL Finals Prediction</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Sharks are battle-hardened. They’ve done none of this mass-resting of players like some of their rivals around them, despite their place in the finals being secured for some time. They kept on going at close to full tilt to try to secure a coveted top-four finish.</p> <p>They have the luxury of playing their first final at home, which they have opted to play at the under-construction Shark Park. And, it’s a place where the home-ground advantage is real for the Sharkies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>With the experience of some deep finals runs behind them over the past four years, it definitely counts for something. But, being on the harder side of the draw and knowing they have to win four games in a row against top, top opponents, will make it hard.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Predicted finish:</strong> Semi-Final exit.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds:</h2>