Biggest loser in Roosters coup; Souths’ big halves call: Every team’s best 17 for 2024
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Gains: None
Analysis: Sharks great Wade Graham has retired but that’s the only player coach Craig Fitzgibbon loses from his 2023 roster.
Cronulla were walking wounded by the end of the season with captain Dale Finucane, fullback Will Kennedy and prop Braden Hamlin-Uele all sidelined.
Kennedy will return to the No. 1 jersey, but Connor Tracey played too well as his replacement to be left out.
It means Siosifa Talakai - who was dropped for Tracey in Round 21 this year - will likely shift to the bench because he can also play in the middle.
Finucane shifts Cameron McInnes back to the bench, while Hamlin-Uele’s return means Royce Hunt is expected to miss out with big man Tom Hazelton to keep his spot.
Best 17:
1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Connor Tracey
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Braden Hamlin-Eule
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Dale Finucane
14. Cameron McInnes
15. Tom Hazelton
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Siosifa Talakai