2023 Sharks Jnr Rep Presentation Night

Matthews Cup lock and captain Alex Challenor was rewarded for an outstanding 2023 season in being named the Sharks Junior Representative Player of the Year at the annual presentation night held at Sharks at Kareela.

During a season in which the Matthews Cup Sharks scored a stirring last round win over the Steelers to qualify for the Finals, before being knocked out in week one in a close and intense encounter with the Eels, Challenor led the way for the young Cronulla team with the prestigious award recognition for his efforts.

The De La Salle junior now joins Sharks NRL squad members Connor Tracey, Blayke Brailey, Teig Wilton and Sam Stonestreet, as well as Sharks NRLW signing Quincy Dodd, as a recipient of the prestigious award.

The event was attended by players, coaches and support staff from the Matthews Cup and SG Ball teams, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, Board Member Patrick Bourke, General Manager of Football Darren Mooney, Development and Pathways Manager Glenn Brailey, NRL players Kade Dykes and Jesse Colquhoun, as well as Sue Ryan and Wayne Miller from Sharks Academy major partner John Ryan Freight Management.

In addition to the major award, Challenor was also named Matthews Cup Player of the Year, with teammate Tom Dellow taking away the Matthews Cup Coaches Award.

Both young Sharks had a taste of representative rugby league in 2023, with Challenor participating in an Emerging Blues camp earlier in the year, while Dellow, a middle forward capable of also playing as an edge back rower, was a member of the City under-16’s team in the recent NSWRL City v Country match.  

Both SG Ball awards then went to front rowers, with Sam McCulloch the under-19’s Player of the Year, Lachlan Crossle named the SG Ball Coaches Award winner.

McCulloch from Como Jannali and Crossle, De La Salle, have moved up to train with the Sharks Jersey Flegg squad.

The SG Ball Sharks battled for consistency throughout a season in which they missed the Finals after winning three games and losing six, however their potential was highlighted in a narrow four-point loss to eventual premiers the Parramatta Eels.

Also announced on the night was the renewal of the John Ryan Freight Management sponsorship of the Sharks Junior Rep and Academy program.

In addition to John Ryan Freight, Sharks Junior Rep sponsors in 2023 including SBA, Minespec Parts, Shore Hire and Cronulla Carpets were also acknowledged.

2023 Sharks Junior Representative Awards
Junior Rep Player of the Year
Alex Challenor

SG Ball Player of the Year
Sam McCulloch

SG Ball Coaches Award
Lachlan Crossle

Matthews Cup Player of the Year
Alex Challenor

Matthews Cup Coaches Award
Thomas Dellow