Existing- as above
Gavin Miller, Andrew Ettingshausen ,Tommy Bishop , Steve Rogers and Greg Pierce
My tips
Paul Gallen
The skipper who managed to finally bring the trophy home to the Sutherland Shire after 50 years of trying, the Grand Final win capped an outstanding career for current club captain Paul Gallen.
“Turn the porch lights off, we’re bring the trophy home,” Gallen proclaimed at ANZ Stadium following the win over the Storm, with his leadership and never-say-die attitude instrumental in the Sharks success.
Gallen joined the Sharks in 2001, debuting in round 15 against his junior club the Eels. Few could have imagined the career he would build from there, with Gallen playing 281 games for Cronulla, along with 24 matches for NSW, many of those as captain, and 32 Test matches for Australia.
With an huge engine that enabled him to play big minutes each week, Gallen would rack up impressive individual stats on a regular basis, however it was team success which he craved, the Grand Final win in 2016 the culmination of all his previous efforts.
The Sharks captain courageous’, Gallen epitomised the hard-nosed attitude of the teams in which he played.
Ron Turner ( honourable mention John McMartin and Michael Ennis )
From Gunnedah in northern NSW, Ron Turner joined the Cronulla Club in 1970 and that same year after being selected in the Australian squad for the World Cup Tour of England, became the club’s first international player.
Turner played at hooker in the World Cup Final in which Australia defeated England at Leeds in 1970, in a team which contained legends of the game such as Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote and Bob O’Reilly, while keeping the highly regarded Elwyn Walters on the Kangaroos reserves bench.
He would go on to play four games for the Kangaroos and one match for NSW.
Built up quite a partnership with the likes of Tommy Bishop and Cliff Watson at the Sharks, culminating in their appearance in the 1973 Grand Final, with Turner playing five seasons and 92 top grade matches for the club.
After leaving the Sharks in 1975 Turner had one year with the Newtown Jets.
Rugged, tough and typical of his era, Turner was the first of many Sharks to represent country and state. While many current Sharks fans would not have seen him play, Turner’s credentials indicate a player of the highest calibre and one who would sit proudly in the Sharks Team of the Half Century.
David Peachey
One of the Club’s most iconic players.
David Peachey moved from Dubbo in rural New South Wales to debut for the Sharks in 1994 where he begun his 232 game career in Sharks colours.
The once Club captain’s trademark ability to glide through defensive lines and loping stride made him a fan favourite throughout the league.
Named Dally M Fullback of the Year in 1999 and 2000 along with Dally M Captain of the Year in 2001, Peachey made two State of Origin appearances (1 x ARL, 1 x Super League) along with touring for the Australian Super League side.
Cliff Watson
One of the hard-men of his era, Watson played an extremely effective role as peacekeeper and protector of sorts to his Sharks teammates, fellow Englishman and Sharks Captain-Coach Tommy Bishop amongst them, during their Grand Final year of 1973.
Watson was a tower of strength for the Sharks in those early years culminating in the Grand Final of ‘73, with him, Bishop and their teammates only denied success by two touches of Bobby Fulton magic in the premiership decider.
He was however much more than just a bully-boy, with Watson’s rugged style earning him over 30 Great Britain caps and a reputation as one of the leading front rowers in the game.
Played three seasons and 38 games for the Sharks, but despite his being just a relatively short stint, it was certainly a memorable one with the physicality of the ’73 Grand Final and the performance of Watson still spoken about to this day.
Maybe the oldest prop forward nominee for the Sharks Team of the Half Century but certainly amongst the favourites to claim one of the two positions available.
Dane Sorensen
A Kiwi international who would finish his career with 19 Tests caps, at the time of his retirement Dane Sorensen held the club record for most appearances with 216 First Grade games with the Cronulla Sharks.
Sorensen first made the New Zealand team in 1972 as a teenager before joining the Cronulla club in 1977, later that year becoming the first New Zealander to be selected for the Kiwis while based overseas.
A player known for his high work rate and determined attitude, Sorenson turned out for the Sharks for seven seasons, before departing in 1984 then returning in 1985 where he would play through until his retirement in 1989.
Was joined at the Sharks by brother Kurt, with the pair exhibiting vastly different styles, Dane the ever reliable go-forward man in the middle, Kurt the barnstorming back-rower capable of breaking a game open with one of his trademark charges.
Somewhat unusual from a front rower, Sorenson was also a capable goal-kicker, slotting 66 goals in his 216 games played.
Kiwi international, 200-gamer for the Sharks, a quality performer, Sorensen should come under strong consideration for one of two prop positions in the Sharks Team of the Half Century.
Mat Rogers
Born in Caringbah as the son of Sharks Immortal Steve Rogers, Mat would learn the game as a junior with the Engadine Dragons before going on to enjoy an illustrious career, one that would see him become a dual-code international.
With the ability to play wing, fullback, centre or five eighth, many of his most notable exploits were on the flank, with Rogers scoring 75 tries in 123 appearances for the Sharks in seven seasons.
Also a prolific goal kicker, Rogers eclipsed some of the point-scoring records of his legendary father Steve, most notably the mark of 26 in one match coming from a three try, seven goal effort against Newcastle in 2000.
Earned selection for the Kangaroos and Queensland Origin team before leaving the Sharks in 2001 to play rugby union, where he would go on to represent the Wallabies. Returned to rugby league and the Gold Coast Titans in 2007.
It certainly isn’t outside the realms of possibility that there could be two Rogers’ including in the Sharks Team of the Half Century.
