As the Sharks look to turn last year's NRLW grand final heartbreak into premiership success, the lead-up to the 2025 pre-season has been crucial.
Excitement is in the air amongst the group, with the players and coaching staff believing they have what it takes to go all the way after falling agonisingly short against the Roosters in the 2024 decider.
"The sky is the limit for us," NRLW captain Tiana Penitani said.
Despite only being able to formally train together once a month until pre-season begins in May, the team has maintained a strong bond.
"The girls that are local definitely stay in touch and stay connected," Penitani said, with players often exercising together or getting coffee.
The off-season also presents an opportunity for the NRLW squad to give back to the club and recognise the hard work and dedication of junior representative players.
Several NRLW stars trained alongside some of Cronulla's brightest young talents at an inaugural club-wide women's session in February.
"Some of them (NRLW players) come down to our Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale training and do some stuff with them, which is great," NRLW coach Tony Herman said, emphasising the growing community culture surrounding the female teams.
For the year ahead, Herman has a team primed for success.
"Part of our thing was to re-sign as many of our core group as we could, and we are really happy with that," he said.
"We've picked up some really good girls on top of that to complement the ones we already have."
With an extremely talented playing group including the additions of former Knights props Caitlan Johnston-Green and Jacinta Carter, Titans young gun Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Kiwi international Tyla King, Herman is urging the Sharks to view themselves as a consistent premiership contender.
"We need to push for finals every year," Herman said.
It isn't just the coaching staff who have immense faith in their side, with the players also confident they have the right ingredients to secure the title.
"We want to go all the way and we have the team to do it," Penitani said.
Heading into their third NRLW season with a core group intact, the Sharks have developed an appreciation for playing to their strengths.
"Our girls are starting to understand themselves as a footy side," Herman said.
Though they cannot train regularly as a team yet, they players are using the off-season as an opportunity to work on their own skills.
"A lot of us like the off-season because we get to train at our own leisure," Penitani added. "For part-time athletes, you don't really switch off – it's an around-the-clock commitment."
While the summer months provide a much-needed break for the players, it's evident they thrive on being surrounded by each other and playing footy together.
"I can't wait to get back with the girls later in the year," Penitani said.
