Over our fifty-year history, we’ve seen some of the games silkiest ball-runners and elusive try-scorers. In our first position, we go through The Fullbacks.
Some of the greatest names to have pulled on the Black, White and Blue number 1 jersey of our great Club have been our best.
Be it Rick Bourke coming of the bench with a big play in the 1973 Grand Final or David Peachey keeping crowds on the edge of their seats throughout the 90s and 00s, we have had some of the greats.
The Nominees
1. Rick Bourke
Rick Bourke debuted in the 1973 NSWRL season as a fresh-faced 19-year-old.
Flashy, with iconic blonde hair, Bourke came on as a replacement in the 1973 Grand Final, crossing for the only Sharks try in the defeat.
Bourke also featured in the 1978 Grand Finals, taking to the field in the replay as fullback however unable to sway the result in the Sharks’ favour.
The local junior spent a decade at the Club before moving to South Sydney in 1983.
2. Mick Mullane
The Sharks mainstay fullback throughout the late 1970s to 80s, Mick Mullane featured in the 1978 Grand Final defeat to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Mullane made 120 appearances in his time at the Cronulla Sharks, playing alongside brother Greg as they lit up the backline in Sharks colours.
The long-striding Mullane was a constant attacking threat with the ball in hand, making him a fan favourite here at the Cronulla Sharks.
3. Jonathan Docking
Jonathan Docking took to the field for the Cronulla Sharks for eight seasons between 1984 and 1991.
The fullback who debuted as a 20-year-old crossed the tryline on 57 occasions over the space of his 160 matches for the Club.
The local junior from De La Salle who made the headgear a trademark of his in his time at the Club also made two appearances for New South Wales between 1987 and 1988.
4. David Peachey
One of the Club’s most iconic players.
David Peachey moved from Dubbo in rural New South Wales to debut for the Sharks in 1994 where he begun his 232 game career in Sharks colours.
The once Club captain’s trademark ability to glide through defensive lines and loping stride made him a fan favourite throughout the league.
Named Dally M Fullback of the Year in 1999 and 2000 along with Dally M Captain of the Year in 2001, Peachey made two State of Origin appearances (1 x ARL, 1 x Super League) along with touring for the Australian Super League side.
5. Preston Campbell
One of the League’s most exciting players.
Recruited to the Sharks in 1999, Campbell spent much of his time at the Sharks between fullback and halfback, breaking up defensive lines with his blistering speed and lighting fast footwork.
Campbell became just the third Shark to win the converted Dally M Medal after a sensational season, edging out Andrew Johns for the prize.
Campbell played a total of 54 games for the Club between the 1999-2001 seasons.
6. Michael Gordon
A Club favourite in his time at the Sharks, Michael Gordon made 71 appearances for the Sharks after arriving from the Penrith Panthers.
The Club’s no. 1 goal-scorer, Gordon amassed a total of 400 points over three seasons at the Sharks to go with his two Monty Porter Medals.
One of the great Clubmen, Gordon was one of the Sharks’ most consistent players in his time at the Club before leaving for the Parramatta Eels in 2016.
Vote now for the Fullback in your Cronulla Sharks 'Team of the Half Century' today and be a part of history.
