Official Craig Fitzgibbon

[Western Sharkie]

Normally, but with you I am used to it!

Harsh!!
But fair…..

 

[Gards]

If Fitz is genuine about building long term success at this club (which I think he is) there is no reason to rush to give him another contract extension right now as you would think he is going to preference staying on and give us first dibs at another contract and be up front with us about opposition club offers.

He's a good coach but he is not a Bellamy or Bennett type proposition on the coaching market

Unless we are concerned some club will throw silly money at him (which you couldn't blame Fitz for taking) before we get him locked back in but even then I think he would be open to negotiate with us and potentially willing to stay here on a little less $$ to continue to build and finish what he began.

You can't say the Sharks hasn't been good for his coaching career - he has the players and the support to be successful which isn't the case in most joints

Anyways I'm not worried, the club and Craig will sort it out at the appropriate time. If the club decides to move on and go in another direction (which I doubt) I would think they have very good reasons to do so and vice versa if Craig ever decides to explore other opportunities.

 

[Gibs]

With Fitz current results, he wont be asked to leave.

 

[apezza]

If Fitz is genuine about building long term success at this club (which I think he is) there is no reason to rush to give him another contract extension right now as you would think he is going to preference staying on and give us first dibs at another contract and be up front with us about opposition club offers.

He's a good coach but he is not a Bellamy or Bennett type proposition on the coaching market

Unless we are concerned some club will throw silly money at him (which you couldn't blame Fitz for taking) before we get him locked back in but even then I think he would be open to negotiate with us and potentially willing to stay here on a little less $$ to continue to build and finish what he began.

You can't say the Sharks hasn't been good for his coaching career - he has the players and the support to be successful which isn't the case in most joints

Anyways I'm not worried, the club and Craig will sort it out at the appropriate time. If the club decides to move on and go in another direction (which I doubt) I would think they have very good reasons to do so and vice versa if Craig ever decides to explore other opportunities.

I dont think he will need to stay here for less money. In fact, I dont think his salary will ever be an issue.

 

[stalefish]

tbh i think fitz is holding this club together with darren mooney an honourable mention

 

[HaroldBishop]

tbh i think fitz is holding this club together with darren mooney an honourable mention

That's an odd thing to say. I think Mace and Dino have a hell of a lot to do with it.

 

[stalefish]

That's an odd thing to say. I think Mace and Dino have a hell of a lot to do with it.

yea they definately help but the players respond to fitz and want to play for him

 

[Western Sharkie]

With Fitz current results, he wont be asked to leave.

Don’t think its a matter of us asking him to leave, but I think some on here want to keep the wolves (Roosters) at bay!

 

[Vichyssoise]

With Fitz current results, he wont be asked to leave.

Which worries me, because we all know he's a crap coach...

Too soon?

This normally surfaces within the first 3 rounds of the season. Forgive me for jumping the gun.

 

[bort]

Which worries me, because we all know he's a crap coach...

Too soon?

This normally surfaces within the first 3 rounds of the season. Forgive me for jumping the gun.

Any back to back losses and some will have him back in their sights

 

[Sparkles]

Any back to back losses and some will have him back in their sights

And they'll include the trials in that count

 

[SharkCast RSS]

A Conversation With Coach Craig Fitzgibbon! (4/2/26)
Listen Now!...

---

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon sits down with Sam Shinazzi for an exclusive and detailed conversation about all things Cronulla Sharks!


These are just some of the subjects covered:

Ocean Protect Stadium

The 2025 Finals Series

Some key 2025 defeats

Maintaining the Finals defensive edge going into the new season

Pre-Season 2026

The so-called Last Dance this year

Players off contact

The continued rise of Blayke Brailey

The return of McInnes and Mulitalo

Liam Ison

Michael Gabrael

Our 2026 forward pack

Losing Dan Atkinson

Niwhai Puru and Riley Pollard

Rules Committee

Fitz's future at the Sharks

Fitz's son is a Bulldog

Assistant coaches and analysts

The Great Whites

2016

Podcasts


Brought to you by:

Dyson Logistics Pty Ltd

Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking

Jason Hawes (Real Estate)


https://sharkcast.com.au/


SharkCast is into our 12th season of podcasting about all things Cronulla Sharks!


Download and subscribe for free on Acast, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Podbean, Deezer and all good podcast outlets.


Rate and review us please, it really does help us. Five star reviews and messages on iTunes is especially helpful and takes just a minute of your time.


Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Please share our social media, this also is a big help to us.

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

---

Listen to Podcast Now!...

 

[SharkCast RSS]

A Conversation With Coach Craig Fitzgibbon! (4/2/26)
Listen Now!...

---

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon sits down with Sam Shinazzi for an exclusive and detailed conversation about all things Cronulla Sharks!


These are just some of the subjects covered:

Ocean Protect Stadium

The 2025 Finals Series

Some key 2025 defeats

Maintaining the Finals defensive edge going into the new season

Pre-Season 2026

The so-called Last Dance this year

Players off contact

The continued rise of Blayke Brailey

The return of McInnes and Mulitalo

Liam Ison

Michael Gabrael

Our 2026 forward pack

Losing Dan Atkinson

Niwhai Puru and Riley Pollard

Rules Committee

Fitz's future at the Sharks

Fitz's son is a Bulldog

Assistant coaches and analysts

The Great Whites

2016

Podcasts


Brought to you by:

Dyson Logistics Pty Ltd

Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking

Jason Hawes (Real Estate)


https://sharkcast.com.au/


SharkCast is into our 12th season of podcasting about all things Cronulla Sharks!


Download and subscribe for free on Acast, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Google, Podbean, Deezer and all good podcast outlets.


Rate and review us please, it really does help us. Five star reviews and messages on iTunes is especially helpful and takes just a minute of your time.


Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Please share our social media, this also is a big help to us.

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

---

Listen to Podcast Now!...

 

[Gumby]

Not sure if it's been posted here but we are in preliminary talks with Fitz regarding an extension.
Is it too soon? Should we wait until the end of this season?
Or has he earnt the right to extend sooner rather than later?

Keen on your thoughts gents.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Not sure if it's been posted here but we are in preliminary talks with Fitz regarding an extension.
Is it too soon? Should we wait until the end of this season?
Or has he earnt the right to extend sooner rather than later?

Keen on your thoughts gents.

I'm all for extending him now. Current contract expires end of 2027, extend him to 2029.

 

[Tiger Shark]

I'm all for extending him now. Current contract expires end of 2027, extend him to 2029.

Yep, lock him down, not only as it'll provide some stability for recruitment and retention purposes but unless we think we can get a better coach then we'd be silly to not lock him down.

The only coaches I'd really consider at this point of time would be Bellamy, Cleary, Robbo and Ciraldo, and even then I'd be cautious about a few given they haven't coached at small clubs like ours where you dont have unlimited funds plus other reasons.

 

[Shark_Hatch]

I'm happy to extend him early (now), he's done a decent job here & most big players from the club seem happy here, all have preferred to re-sign with us. Got us to 2 prelims in a row aswell, not many other younger coaches & former player coaches have been able to do that on their 1st job as a FT NRL coach. Keep him.

 

[bort]

Yep, lock him down, not only as it'll provide some stability for recruitment and retention purposes but unless we think we can get a better coach then we'd be silly to not lock him down.

The only coaches I'd really consider at this point of time would be Bellamy, Cleary, Robbo and Ciraldo, and even then I'd be cautious about a few given they haven't coached at small clubs like ours where you dont have unlimited funds plus other reasons.

TBH I'd knock Robbo and Ciraldo off that list. Like you say about being cautious, Robbo has had borlerline all the resources in the world and has had some success for sure, but not so much I think he is must have without the advantages of a big club. Ciraldo, he aint done nothing yet.

Of course, happily take either if Fitz decided to retire or something.

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

Not sure if it's been posted here but we are in preliminary talks with Fitz regarding an extension.
Is it too soon? Should we wait until the end of this season?
Or has he earnt the right to extend sooner rather than later?

Keen on your thoughts gents.

Yeah, I’m happy to re-sign him.

 

[Sparkles]

Not sure if it's been posted here but we are in preliminary talks with Fitz regarding an extension.
Is it too soon? Should we wait until the end of this season?
Or has he earnt the right to extend sooner rather than later?

Keen on your thoughts gents.

From the Shark cast interview Fitzy didn't seem like he was in a hurry. And I can understand it. He should be confident of getting a similar result this year, which will likely increase his value. And if we win it, he'll be naming his price.