The rumour circulated online and started to gain traction after Fanatics TV host Warren Livingstone claimed Cronulla\u2019s Round 14 clash with the Dragons would be the final time the club played at its home stadium.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Livingstone said his \u201cmail\u201d was that the Sharks would be playing all their games at Allianz Stadium and Kogarah Stadium from next year. <\/p>\n
While Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta conceded that \u201cupgrades are certainly necessary\u201d and that \u201ccapacity and fan comfort\u201d are two important issues, he shut down any claims that the club is at risk of being relocated next year in a statement on Cronulla\u2019s website. <\/p>\n
Mezzatesta described the comments made by Livingstone on the podcast as \u201cerroneous\u201d, adding that they sparked \u201cconcern\u201d from members, fans and corporate partners.<\/p>\n
As a result, the Sharks CEO said he felt it \u201cnecessary\u201d to address Livingstone\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe comments, which have since gained traction on social media channels and on chat groups, suggested the NRL is considering moving games away from Ocean Protect Stadium, beginning next season,\u201d Mezzatesta wrote.<\/p>\n
Crowds at the stadium enjoying the game. Picture: Rohan KellySource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
The CEO said that the club, while already knowing these claims to be \u201cincorrect\u201d, made enquiries with the NRL on Thursday morning to confirm there was \u201cno substance\u201d to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was disappointing that these baseless comments have caused concern to our partners, members and fans who enjoy the game day experience at Ocean Protect Stadium,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do concede upgrades are certainly necessary moving forward and we continue to work with the NRL and government in an effort to secure the necessary funding to make this happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the Sharks Leagues Club at Woolooware nearing completion, as the builders work towards an opening later in the year, some of the current issues surrounding capacity and fan comfort will be alleviated and we look forward to not only this weekend\u2019s Monty Porter Cup match, but also to many more games against the Dragons at Ocean Protect Stadium in the years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank you for your continued support and hope to see a full house at the big local derby clash on Sunday, which contrary to reports, won\u2019t be the last time we host the Dragons at Ocean Protect Stadium.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
SHARKS SECURE FULLBACK\u2019S SIGNATURE… FOR NOW<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, the Sharks also confirmed on Thursday afternoon that fullback Will Kennedy has extended with the club for the 2027 season.<\/p>\n
Kennedy was one of several Cronulla players who entered this year without a contract beyond the end of the current season, with fellow backline members Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien already securing new deals at the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Kennedy, however, will be staying put in a big boost for a Sharks team that is in desperate need of stability \u2014 particularly in the spine \u2014 given the roster upheaval that is on the cards.<\/p>\n
The Sharks entered the year with 16 players off-contract and are already losing Katoa and Ramien along with veteran forward Cameron McInnes.<\/p>\n
Kennedy though is now locked in for another year to join Blayke Brailey (2030), Nicho Hynes (2029) and Braydon Trindall (2028) in the Sharks\u2019 spine for the near-future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very pleased to be staying here for another year. I started here in the SG Ball, I\u2019ve come through the ranks, been lucky to play so many games and this club is a special part of me,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a big preseason, my hard work and what I\u2019ve put into the games has paid off, I\u2019m happy with what the club has given me, and I want to repat them for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Kennedy is staying put in the Shire for now, he still has the option to join the NRL\u2019s soon-to-be newest franchise \u2014 the PNG Chiefs \u2014 when they enter the league in 2028.<\/p>\n
William Kennedy is staying put. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
KNIGHTS LOCK DOWN ORIGIN REPRESENTATIVE <\/p>\n
Earlier, the Newcastle Knights confirmed the extension of star back-rower Dylan Lucas, who will remain at the club for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
Fresh from being named in the extended squad for the NSW Blues in the 2026 State of Origin series-opener, Lucas has decided to re-sign with the Knights for a further three seasons until the end of 2030.<\/p>\n
Yet to hit the prime of his career, the 25-year-old has firmed for a place in the Blues squad for Game 2 after a remarkable performance last week, which saw him make 46 tackles, 154 running metres and score twice.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan\u2019s work ethic is outstanding,\u201d coach Justin Holbrook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe positive attitude and intensity Dylan trains and plays with every day is infectious on his teammates and everyone around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has become a genuine leader. He backs himself with a respectful self-confidence that has a huge impact and influence on the standards of this group.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan typifies everything we want a Knights player to represent. He is a great person, honest and tough, and we are thrilled he has decided to stay with the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Off-contract at the end of 2027, Lucas could have very easily gone to the open market, where he would have attracted a ton of interest from a number of clubs, including the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs – the NRL\u2019s newest expansion teams.<\/p>\n
Dylan Lucas.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
However, he decided to remain loyal and stick with the club for which he has spent his entire career.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan has been a revelation on our team over the past few years,\u201d Head of Recruitment Peter O\u2019Sullivan added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith his line running, speed, athleticism and edge defence, he is now the complete package.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan has matured into one of the team\u2019s most influential leaders, he is analytical, vocal and drives standards both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud Dylan and several senior players have chosen to extend their tenure here at the Knights, it brings great stability and experience as we keep building.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan loves this club, he loves representing the region and he is exactly the sort of person and player we want helping drive this group forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
ROOSTERS RECEIVE MAJOR BOOST FOR ROUND 14<\/p>\n
Electrifying winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to make his return from injury for the Roosters on Friday, but they will be without Cody Ramsey who is crook and will miss the trip to Canberra.<\/p>\n
Nawaqanitawase hasn\u2019t played since round 9 when he suffered a syndesmosis injury that required surgery and ruled him out of a potential NSW Blues debut. <\/p>\n
But he got through Wednesday\u2019s training session and is set to return in a huge boost for the Roosters who are without veteran winger Daniel Tupou.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday was the real test for us to make sure that he was right to tick off everything he needed after that syndesmosis (injury). It\u2019s looking good for him to play tomorrow,\u201d Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn some areas he brings a creativity and a finish that\u2019s really important. He\u2019s a high-quality player. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut then in other areas, that\u2019s just a team concept rather than an individual that\u2019s going to change it. It\u2019s a whole-team concept, so no individual coming in or out (is going to change that). It has been a collective.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Everything is a concern with Latrell!” | 00:36<\/p>\n
Nawaqanitawase will take his place on the right wing, with Robinson confirming Ramsey won\u2019t play against the Raiders.<\/p>\n
\u201cCody\u2019s actually a bit crook,\u201d he said, with Ramsey\u2019s comeback after 1337 days out already one of the feel-good stories of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only just found that out sort of half an hour ago, so he won\u2019t travel with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ball control has been a major focus for the premiership fancies this week after they made 18 errors against the Storm on Saturday on a night they managed just one try.<\/p>\n
That performance came after they made 14 mistakes at Magic Round in the loss to North Queensland, with an animated Robinson giving it to his players in the Melbourne sheds after the loss. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing is to discuss it, and then the second thing is to do it at training,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a really key part of the game is talking about it, but training it, and then it\u2019s up to us to perform that tomorrow night.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not the single focus, either. You want to improve that, and we\u2019ve been pretty good at that this year. The last two games has not been what we wanted, So we talk about it, practise it, and then go out and do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dragons gearing up for drastic cleanout | 05:06<\/p>\n
Holding onto the ball in 2026 has been imperative for teams under the new rules that has rewarded possession and territory.<\/p>\n
The Roosters have always played an attacking brand of footy that has sometimes resulted in high error counts, but they have shown at different stages this year that elite ball movement and high completions can coexist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve shown that we can do both,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI go back to the Manly game where it was sort of about 96 per cent (completions). I think we had one (error) in that game, and there\u2019s been others throughout that period where we\u2019ve been able to do both. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to score points but then also control the ball, and that\u2019s the game. That\u2019s pretty clear what\u2019s needed in the game, and our job is to go out there and get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Sharks have hit back at \u201cbaseless\u201d suggestions that the club was on the verge of being forced…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":460347,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[111,139,69,213],"class_list":["post-460346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=460346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/460346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/460347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=460346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=460346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=460346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}