1960s

Cronulla rugby league club was founded in 1963 under the banner of Cronulla-Caringbah. They entered the inter-district competition, playing against Wentworthville, Sydney University, Penrith and other clubs in the Sydney area.

In 1967 the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) added two new clubs to the competition, Cronulla-Sutherland and Penrith, the first to join the competition since Parramatta and Manly were admitted in 1947.

They debuted in 1967 wearing a sky blue jersey adorned with a white V and red numbers on the back, at the then club home ground of Sutherland Oval, under the coaching of Ken Kearney. Cronulla-Sutherland earned immediate recognition when they beat Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Sports Ground in their first match. They had only two more wins, against Norths and Parramatta, and finished last on the competition table.

In mid-1968 the club moved permanently to Endeavour Field at Woolooware, thus becoming the only club in Sydney to own their own ground. Their first match there was against Parramatta and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks won 10-7

1970s

In 1973 Cronulla-Sutherland made the end-of-season play-offs for the first time. They lost only five games and finished just one point behind minor premiers Manly, and ahead of local rivals St George. The same year the Sharks made it to the grand final against the Sea Eagles but in a brutal encounter lost 10-7.

Cronulla-Sutherland met the Sea Eagles again in the 1978 grand final, amidst much controversy surrounding referee Greg Hartley. The Sharks led by 7-2 well into the second half. Manly rallied to lead by 2 and it took a late penalty goal from Rogers to level scores at 11-all by fulltime. The replay saw the Sharks opportunity pass by as they fielded a much-weakened team due to further injuries, eventually being shut-out by Manly 16-0. Cronulla was without suspended stars Greg Pierce and Dane Sorensen in both games, while John McMartin, Mick Mullane and Barry Andrews were all injured for the replay.

In 1979, Cronulla won the mid-week Amco Cup competition, their first trophy in the top grade, beating Combined Brisbane 22-5.

1980s


Cronulla suffered major financial trouble in 1983, with the NSWRL appointing an administrator and providing a loan. Western Suburbs and Newtown, both in a similar predicament, were refused a loan, with Newtown being forced out of the competition. However, the season wasn't all bad for Cronulla, with the emergence of teenage star, Andrew Ettingshausen, who was named Rookie of the Year, and would later go on to become the most capped and successful player for Cronulla. Cronulla also made the final of the mid-week KB Cup, but lost again to Manly, 26-6.

In 1985, Cronulla was buoyed by the arrival of 'super coach' Jack Gibson, who had coached Easts and Parramatta to premierships. Gibson left the club in good shape in 1987, with the promise fulfilled in 1988 when Cronulla won the minor premiership, led by veteran second-rower Gavin Miller, who was named Dally M Player of the Year, and Rothmans Medal winning halfback, Barry Russell. However, Russell dislocated his shoulder two weeks before the finals, and missed the semi-final where Cronulla went down to Canterbury. He was rushed back in for the final against Balmain, but he was severely hampered by the injury, and Cronulla were bundled out. Another bright spot for the Sharks though was the selection in the Australian team of Miller, and young centres, Ettingshau

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Most Tries for the Club

165 Andrew Ettingshausen in 328 games
110 David Peachey in 232 games
82 Steve Rogers in 195 games
75 Mat Rogers in 123 games
63 Ray Corcoran in 110 games

Most Points in a Match

28 Brett Kimmorley (2 tries, 10 goals) v Newcastle, Toyota Park - Round 22, 2002. Cronulla won 64 - 14
26 Steve Rogers (2 tries, 10 goals) v Wests, Pratten - Round 20, 1977. Cronulla won 47 - 10
26 Mat Rogers (3 tries, 7 goals) v Newcastle, Toyota Park - Round 11, 2000. Cronulla won 42 - 16
24 Steve Rogers (2 tries, 9 goals) v Balmain, Toyota Park - Round 16, 1980. Cronulla won 33 - 14
22 Mat Rogers (2 tries, 7 goals) v Brisbane, Toyota Park - Round 27, 1999. Cronulla won 42 - 20
22 Mat Rogers (3 tries, 5 goals) v Parramatta, Toyota Park - Round 25, 2000. Cronulla won 34 - 18
22 Brett Kimmorley (3 tries, 5 goals) v Newcastle, EnergyAustralia Stadium - Round 11, 2003. Cronulla won 30 - 24
22 Blaine Stanley (2 tries, 7 goals) v North Queensland, Toyota Park - Round 18, 2000. Cronulla won 42 - 6
22 Mat Rogers (2 tries, 7 goals) v Penrith, Toyota Park - Round 15, 1997. Cronulla won 44 - 20

Most Tries in a Season

19 David Peachey in 26 games, 1999
18 Brett Howland in 26 games, 1999
18 Mat Rogers in 23 games, 2000
18 Andrew Ettingshausen in 18 games, 1994

Biggest Winning Margins

62 68 - 6 v Manly at Toyota Park on August 21, 2005 (Rd 24)
50 64 - 14 v Newcastle at Toyota Park on August 11, 2002 (Rd 22)
46 46 - 0 v Gold Coast at Toyota Park on June 5, 1994 (Rd 12)
46 46 - 0 v Wests at Toyota Park on August 7, 1999 (Rd 23)
44 44 - 0 v Balmain at Toyota Park on March 7, 1999 (Rd 1)
44 44 - 0 v Newtown at Toyota Park on July 23, 1978 (Rd 1

Most Points in a Season

251 Brett Kimmorley in 27 games, 2002 (14 tries, 97 goals, 1 Fg)
212 Mat Rogers in 23 games, 2000 (18 tries, 70 goals)
202 George Taylforth in 21 games, 1970 (4 tries, 95 goals)

Most Points for the Club

1253 Steve Rogers in 195 games (82 tries, 501 goals, 5 Fg)
1112 Mat Rogers in 123 games (75 tries, 406 goals)
662 Andrew Ettingshausen in 328 games (165 tries, 1 goals)
657 Barry Andrews in 124 games (17 tries, 303 goals)
520 Alan Wilson in 106 games (37 tries, 185 goals, 2 Fg)

Most First Grade Games for the Club

328 Andrew Ettingshausen 1983 - 2000
232 David Peachey 1994 - 2005
223 Mitch Healey 1989 - 2000
216 Dane Sorensen 1977 - 1983, 1985 - 1989
212 Danny Lee 1988 - 1998
210 Greg Pierce 1969 - 1980
202 Steve Rogers 1973 - 1982, 1985

Biggest Losing Margins

70 4 - 74 v Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium on August 23, 2003 (Rd 24)
44 12 - 56 v Canberra at Canberra Stadium on July 16, 1994 (Rd 16)
44 8 - 52 v Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on April 19, 2002 (Rd 6)
42 14 - 56 v North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium on June 4, 2005 (Rd 13)
40 6 - 46 v Wests Tigers at Toyota Park on July 31, 2005 (Rd 21)
40 6 - 46 v Canberra at Canberra Stadium on April 11, 1993 (Rd 5)