Craig Fitzgibbon has inked a Sharks extension through to the end of 2029, but their remains doubts he has the squad to challenge for a first title since 2016 with multiple stars off-contract in 2026.

The Sharks confirmed they had re-signed Fitzgibbon to a multi-year extension and after making the finals in every season of his four years at the helm, including the last two preliminary finals, and he more than deserves the show of faith.

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However, there remains doubts he has the players to take the Sharks to a Grand Final and deliver on the biggest stage.

The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read revealed there were rumours the Roosters were circling Fitzgibbon before he inked his new deal.

“Outstanding coach. Brilliant coach, Craig Fitzgibbon,” Read said on NRL 360.

“He’s done an amazing job with Cronulla. He’s at a club that doesn’t have great facilities, limited budget, but he always competes with the big boys week in, week out and it’s well deserved. I think it was always going to happen.

“There’s a lot of rumours about him and the Roosters floating around and this puts it to bed until 2029.”

However, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis warned the Sharks won’t compete for a premiership with their team in its current form and are facing a player exodus at the end of the 2026 season.

“It’s a really interesting time for Cronulla, given the players that they’ve got off-contract now, heading into next season,” Carayannis said.

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Craig Fitzgibbon and Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall.Source: FOX SPORTS

“He’s given this group every opportunity to prove that they’re a Premiership winning side.

“I don’t think they are. I don’t think they can win the comp with their current group of players.”

Braith Anasta questioned if the Sharks have it in them to deliver under the bright lights of finals footy against the elite teams.

“That’s the million dollar question and every Sharks fan, every rugby league supporter would be probably thinking the same thing, how do they get to that next level?” Anasta asked.

Carayannis is of the belief that the Sharks’ spine needs a rethink outside of Blayke Brailey at hooker.

“I think they need a rejig, I don’t think they can win a competition with their No.1, No.6 and No.7,” Carayannis said.

“I think Blayke Brailey is elite. I think Addin Fonua-Blake is off the pace to start the season compared to the lofty standards, which he has set throughout his career.

“And I don’t think the Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combination is working. I think Trindall is a dominant playmaker and this yea he’s been more of a threat than Nicho.

“I don’t know where Nicho’s running game has gone, but it’s been non-existent to start the year.”

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Broncos legend Gorden Tallis feels the Sharks are lacking X-factor in their bid to match the best teams in the competition.

“They’re just lacking the X-factor and that’s what most sides have,” Tallis said.

“When they’re going, they’ll get in a grind, they fight over a bone, but when someone can come and do something out of nothing, they’re probably lacking that.”

However, Anasta believes the Sharks have X-factor, but can’t seem to deliver when it matters most.

“They’ve got the X-factor, but it’s the X-factor under the bright lights, big moments under pressure,” Anasta said.

“Brailey and Nicho and Nikora they have X-factor. You see it in week-to-week games.

“The last couple of weeks have been bad, but normally you see it throughout the season, these guys they almost suck you in.

“You think, maybe they can do it this year, but then they fail when it matters.”

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After thrashing the Titans in Round 1, many thought 2026 could be the Sharks’ year, but back-to-back losses to the Panthers and Dolphins has put those hopes on ice.

“After week one, I was going, they can win the top this year,” Read said.

Carayannis agreed: “Braydon Trindall and Will Kennedy amazing performance in week one, then they go up against the Panthers and that’s who you have to beat.

“They defended really well, then they conceded two tries in the last five minutes of that first half to lose the game and the Dolphins loss was an embarrassing performance.

“That performance on the weekend was well off the top four side.”

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Read revealed a pre-season chat with Fitzgibbon where the Sharks coach admitted he feels his team is disrespected given their consistency.

“I was talking to Fitzy in the pre-season about their team, and Fitzy was saying, he sort of feels like they don’t get the respect they deserve,” Read said.

“I said, Fitzy this is the problem you’ve set for yourself. You’ve set such a high bar now, they’re making the top four. That’s just a pass mark.

“They need to win. They need to win Grand Finals, be in Grand Finals. That’s the bar you’ve set with that football team and if they don’t get there, it’s a failure.”