While they came up heartbreakingly short in an epic Grand Final, by anyone's reckoning it was a phenomenal season for the Sharks in just their second year in the NRLW competition.
Under the guidance of Tony Herman, Cronulla shot out of the blocks and led the competition for several weeks. With a mix of tenacity and skill, they overcame adversity late in the campaign and rebounded with a stirring semi-final performance against the Broncos to book their place in the big dance.
Here's a look at some of the numbers that defined their terrific 2024.
NRLW season 2024: By the numbers
0 – points conceded against the Broncos in a backs-to-the-wall semi-final victory. It marked the first time in NRLW history that Brisbane had been held to nil.
3 – standalone NRLW home games at PointsBet Stadium, with the support of the Sutherland Shire community proving to be a huge boost for the players.
6 – consecutive wins to start the season, setting up a historic finals berth. It was also the number of line-break involvements by Emma Tonegato, placing her second among all players behind Roosters playmaker Tarryn Aiken (9). There were six club debutantes as well: Georgia Hannaway, Manilita Takapautolo, Nakia Davis-Welsh, Sharni Smale, Dominique du Toit and Filomina Hanisi.
9 – tries scored by captain Tiana Penitani, followed by wingers Georgia Ravics (5) and Cassie Staples (4), centre Annessa Biddle (4) and prop Ellie Johnston (4).
22 – players used throughout the year. After early season-ending injuries to Jada Taylor and Grace Lee-Weekes, the Sharks brought rugby sevens stars Sharni Smale and Dominique du Toit into the fold as replacement players.
28 – Cronulla's highest score in 2024. They reached the mark in the Round 5 win over the Dragons (28-4) and the Grand Final loss to the Roosters (32-28).
36 – tries scored by the Sharks, including five in a pulsating Grand Final.
44 – points scored by halfback Tayla Preston, who kicked 22 goals at 61%.
76 – percentage of sets completed by the Sharks, the equal second-best rate in the competition alongside the Titans. The Eels (80%) ranked first in this area.
188 – points scored by the Sharks (including finals), averaging 17 per game.
339 – tackles made by Brooke Anderson, with the hard-hitting lock outdone only by North Queensland's Bree Chester (348) and Gold Coast's Georgia Hale (408).
421 – kick return metres covered by Cassie Staples, who split her time between wing and fullback to help fill the void left by Jada Taylor's injury.
537 – support runs recorded by the Sharks, the most in the league. Second-rower Talei Holmes (54) led the way for Cronulla, followed by Chloe Saunders (46).
850 – post-contact metres gained by Annessa Biddle, the most in the competition.
938 – times Quincy Dodd touched the ball, more than any other player. Among these receipts were 58 dummy-half runs, topping the competition.
3,764 – kick metres gained by halfback Tayla Preston – easily the most in the competition. Preston put boot to ball 138 times throughout the season.
16,274 – metres gained by the Sharks, led by Annessa Biddle (1,813m).
