In 2025, Cronulla Sharks reached the prelim final, defeating top teams but lost to Storm.
The Cronulla Sharks defied the odds in 2025, making it all the way to a preliminary final in a year that many believed would be another mediocre finish for the Shire-based club.
That wasn't the case, with the Sharks nailing the impossible tasks of downing the red-hot Sydney Roosters and first-placed Canberra Raiders in back-to-back weeks, earning their spot in this year's prelim.
Falling 22 to 14 at AAMI Park, the Sharks were unable to topple the Storm powerhouse, a feat that head coach Craig Fitzgibbon admitted would have been extremely difficult.
In his post-match press conference, Fitzgibbon commended the Storm for their ability to be a "great side," while admitting that the Sharks are a "really good side that haven't converted to becoming a great side."