Cronulla Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes has thrown his full support behind young gun Jesse Colquhoun, tipping the burgeoning forward to become a cornerstone of the club’s pack for many years to come. Colquhoun, who stepped up impressively last season while filling in for the injured McInnes, is quickly establishing himself as the kind of tough, high-work-rate middle forward that the Sharks, and McInnes himself, are renowned for.
Speaking recently, McInnes expressed his admiration for the young talent, highlighting Colquhoun’s remarkable maturity and commitment to setting high standards. “He’s been putting in the hard yards for a few seasons now,” McInnes commented. “He’s dealt with a few injuries himself, but he remains so level-headed. That’s something I’ve always admired about him, even from a young age – his ability to stay composed and mature beyond his years.”
When McInnes suffered an ACL injury late last year, his season was abruptly cut short. This presented Colquhoun with a golden opportunity, stepping into the crucial starting lock position for the finals series. He seized the chance with both hands, proving to be a vital asset for the Sharks during their crucial run. His strong performances were clearly recognised by the club, leading to a contract extension in January, which has fuelled speculation that he is indeed the long-term answer for the Shire-based club in the lock forward role.
“He played exceptionally well in the latter part of last season,” McInnes continued. “He got his opportunity and he grabbed it, and he’s been rewarded for that with a contract for, I think, four years. So, he’s definitely part of our future, that’s for sure.”
Sharks’ Focus: Consistency and Premiership Aspirations
Looking ahead, the Cronulla Sharks are placing a significant emphasis on maintaining their status as premiership contenders during the off-season. After two consecutive preliminary final appearances, the club is tantalisingly close to breaking through and establishing themselves as genuine elite title contenders.
According to McInnes, the key to unlocking this next level of success lies in consistency. He believes that if the team can maintain a more balanced and reliable performance throughout the entire season, it will significantly bolster their premiership credentials.
“I think it’s about finding a bit more consistency across the year,” McInnes elaborated. “I feel like last year, we let ourselves down with a few performances that, subconsciously, linger in the memory bank as the year progresses. You can find form, but in those big semi-final games, when the momentum is seesawing, you want to be able to draw on the knowledge that you’ve been in those situations before and you can get the job done. While we’ve certainly shown glimpses of that, I still believe we need to be more consistent throughout the season, and that’s something we’ve been working incredibly hard on this year.”
Injury Return and Origin Watch
The Sharks captain is targeting a return from his ACL injury in May. This timing could prove to be ideal for the club, particularly with speculation mounting that their dynamic dummy-half, Blayke Brailey, is a strong contender for a spot in the NSW Blues squad this year. McInnes’s return will provide a much-needed injection of leadership and experience, especially if Brailey is called upon for Origin duties, a role he previously filled by captaining the Sharks in McInnes’s absence.
Round 1 Test: Facing a Familiar Foe
The Sharks’ mettle will be tested from the outset of the new season. In Round 1, they will host a familiar face in former assistant coach Josh Hannay, who now leads the Gold Coast Titans. Hannay, intimately familiar with the Sharks’ on-field strategies and tactics from his time at the club, will undoubtedly be eager to spring an ambush on his former employers. The clash is expected to be a sell-out affair at Ocean Protect Stadium, promising an electric atmosphere for the season opener.
