The Sharks can confirm that young centre Jesse Ramien, who debuted for the Club in 2017 before starring in his team’s march to within one game of the NRL Grand Final the following year, will return to the Cronulla club after signing a new four-year contract.
Due largely to family and personal reasons Ramien made the move to the Newcastle Knights last season, however the 22-year-old will be back in Cronulla colours next year in looking to recapture the form which had his name regularly mentioned as a State of Origin candidate.
Ramien resumes training with the Sharks next week and is confident he can repay the faith shown in him by Sharks Coach John Morris in reproducing his best football in 2020.
“I’m stoked to be back in the black, white and blue, it’s a bit of a home coming,” Ramien said. “I want to hit the ground running, I want to try to have a big year and I’ve got a bit of a point to prove.
“I know and have played with a lot of the boys, whether it was in the NRL, the 20’s or the NSW Cup and I think I probably played my best footy at the Sharks so I’m excited to be back.”
Morris, who coached Ramien in the Under 20’s, is looking forward to renewing their association and has no doubt he can become an integral member of his team’s backline from next year.
“I am very excited to have Jesse Ramien back where he belongs, which is in Sharks colours,” Morris said. “As his Holden Cup coach in 2016 and 2017, I developed a great bond with Jesse and love everything he brings, not only to our team on the field but off it as well. He is a very good person and role model.
“Jesse will certainly add to the experience and class of our backline and bring size, speed and X-factor that will change the way we play in 2020,” Morris added.
After making a huge impression in the final game of the 2017 season, Ramien established himself as a regular and important member of the Sharks side in 2018.
Playing 21 games in that second season in the top grade, Ramien scored 12 tries, with his powerful running a feature of his game.
Despite the negativity surrounding the back end of his season at the Knights in 2019, Ramien still managed 17 NRL games for the club before his much-publicised departure.
An enormous boost to the Sharks prospects in 2020 and beyond, the addition of Ramien leaves Morris with backline options, with Bronson Xerri, Josh Dugan, Josh Morris, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa amongst those fighting for positions in his NRL side for round one.
Ramien will report for pre-season training at the Sharks this week, joining the majority of the senior playing group, including Dugan, Morris, Matt Moylan, Chad Townsend, Aaron Woods and others as preparations for the 2020 NRL season get underway.
Photographer: Gaye Gerard -The Sunday Telegraph
