Long touted as a future NRL player, towering winger Sam Stonestreet will fulfil that prophecy when he becomes Shark #560 against the Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Standing at 193cm, the exciting 21-year-old is a local junior from the De La Salle Caringbah club who has been nurtured through the Sharks Academy.
His chance at the top level has come with Sione Katoa suspended for one match after taking the early guilty plea for a high tackle on Rabbitoh Cameron Murray.
Starting out in Cronulla's under-16 Harold Matthews team, Stonestreet's development led to him being crowned the Sharks Junior Representative Player of the Year following a standout SG Ball campaign in 2021.
He progressed to the NSW Cup with Sharks feeder team Newtown in 2022 and has now tallied 26 games in reserve grade, scoring an impressive 19 tries.
After another strong summer training with the NRL squad, Stonestreet has started the 2024 season well with three four-pointers in five appearances for the Jets.
Stonestreet has always harboured a desire to run out for the Sharks at the elite level, telling the club website of his ambitions in January 2022.
"I wanted to test myself and fulfil my dream of becoming a rugby league player," Stonestreet said of his junior rep journey. "I just like the idea of wearing the Sharks jersey and testing myself against good players from other clubs."
He told Zero Tackle last month: "I'm just taking every day as it comes. I'm working hard every day. That's my childhood dream, to play NRL for the Sharks. If I get that opportunity, I'll take it with both hands."
On Sunday, Stonestreet will realise his goal and test himself against the best. If his past is any indication, the debutant is likely to relish the step up in class.
Stonestreet is signed to the Sharks until the end of 2025.
Sam Stonestreet – Fact File
DOB – 8/07/2002
Birthplace – Westmead, Sydney
Height – 193cm
Weight – 97kgs
Position – Wing
Junior Club – De La Salle Caringbah
Studying – Bachelor of Commerce, UNSW
