It's all systems go for the 2024 NRLW campaign after Thursday night's season launch, where a formidable Sharks squad was formally presented to corporate partners, staff and VIP guests.
With just over a week until the Round 1 clash with the Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday, July 27, the excitement was palpable during the cocktail event at Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club emceed by Emma Lawrence.
Along with the entire NRLW staff, attendees included Mr Simon Kennedy MP, Ms Jenny Ware MP, Sharks General Manager Football Darren Mooney and valued sponsors including new major NRLW partner Quest Apartment Hotels.
International centre Tiana Penitani, the reigning Sharks NRLW Player of the Year, was confirmed as captain after leading the team in their inaugural 2023 season.
"For me, captaining this team means the absolute world," Penitani said on stage, reflecting on a journey that began when she played for the club's Harvey Norman Women's Premiership team in 2019 upon making the switch from rugby sevens.
"To be able to reward the club and be able to come back in our inaugural season last year and lead these girls means the absolute world to me, but it's quite easy when you're surrounded by the calibre of people that are in our squad."
Penitani is particularly excited by the crop of fresh-faced rookies pressing for NRLW berths, including Manilita Takapautolo, Tia-Jordyn Vasilovski (who is unfortunately injured), Leki Leilua, Stephanie Faulkner and Joy Levy.
"We are so proud here at the Sharks to promote from within. Looking at the calibre of girls that have come through our Tarsha Gale system, when they're at training you wouldn't be able to tell who's 17 or 18 years old and who's 33!" she said.
"It's crazy what they're capable of. I know there's quite a few of them that are nipping at my heels, and I'll do my best to stay at the top for as long as I can."
The Sharks tuned up for the season with a strong trial hit-out against the star-studded Roosters last Sunday, walking away with a 20-all draw after leading 12-0.
NRLW head coach Tony Herman is confident in his team's chances this year, having guided Cronulla to a solid sixth-placed finish in their maiden season.
"We had a really good pre-season, six weeks, worked really hard," Herman said.
"Going in against the Roosters, we really wanted a tough trial and I think we got that. I thought we got into our cycle early, I thought we played some really, really good footy. Second half, we probably went away from a few things and made a few changes. We probably would have liked to have managed that game out a bit better, but all in all, really promising signs for the girls. Really excited."
Herman later added: "We showed it again on the weekend: our best footy is as good as any team in the comp, if not better. We've just got to play it for longer.
"We think we're in a good place to do that. We've worked incredibly hard."
CLICK HERE to secure your tickets for Round 1 against the Cowboys!
