Behind-the-scenes drama at Cronulla as Sharks premiership heroes cop brutal snub

Yahoo

19-02-2025

Veteran rugby league reporter David Riccio has revealed some drama behind the scenes at the Cronulla Sharks after 11 players were inducted into the NRL club's inaugural Hall of Fame, and some big names missed out on Tuesday night. Club legends Andrew Ettingshausen, Gavin Miller and Steve Rogers were given the ultimate honour after being featured in a new artwork that will take pride of place at the entrance to Sharks Stadium. It was unveiled during the gala event in front of around 300 fans and VIPs.
The trio of Cronulla greats were among those granted automatic entry into the club's first Hall of Fame, along with Tommy Bishop and Greg Pierce - due to their previous recognition as Sharks Immortals. Six other club legends were also honoured after being picked by the Hall of Fame selection panel that included Riccio and fellow league journalist Phil Rothfield, plus Cronulla chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, Immortals Ettingshausen and Miller and chaired by Sharks historian Ashley Taylor.
There was no surprise to see Cronulla's 2016 premiership-winning captain Paul Gallen take his place in the club's Hall of Fame, with David Peachey, Dane Sorensen, Brett Kimmorley, Jason Stevens and Mat Rogers the other players inducted. However, some massive names from the Sharks' first and only premiership side in 2016 were ultimately overlooked, including Clive Churchill Medallist Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita and Michael Ennis.
And as Riccio pointed out, the omissions sparked plenty of debate and led to some heated scenes on the night. "There was certainly argy-bargy behind the scenes," Riccio told SEN radio on Wednesday. "Remembering that this is a footy club that has enjoyed so much success around the 2016 premiership and largely when you reach your greatest heights at a club with a premiership you'd think that a large majority of those players from that successful period would be honoured and added directly into the Hall of Fame.
"Certainly that was an argument and there were so many wonderful players that could easily have gone in last night, such as Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, James Maloney's impact on that team to go and win the '16 premiership. So there was plenty of debate around that... however, this is the inaugural Hall of Fame for the Cronulla Sharks."
Plenty of familiar faces on the red carpet as we gear up for tonight's inaugural Hall of Fame event pic.twitter.com/piL8wfypEq
— Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) February 18, 2025
Riccio was keen to stress that those players he mentioned would inevitably be recognised for their contributions to the club at a later date, even if they were unlucky to miss out this time. But he also pointed out how special the night was for many of those players who were included such as Ettingshausen, who was brought to tears during emotional scenes.
"They needed to start somewhere and when you start somewhere you have to go back first and that was certainly the occasion last night... It was so emotional for so many legends of this footy club," Riccio added. "I have never seen Andrew Ettingshausen so emotional to the point he could no longer get any more words out due to the tears rolling down his throat."
Criteria for being included in Cronulla's Hall of Fame included the player's performances on the field for both the club and in rep footy, winning a premiership with the Sharks and playing more than 100 first grade games for Cronulla. It also took into account individual accolades and club best-and-fairest awards, with Sharks historian Taylor saying it "suitably represents the first half-century" of Cronulla's existence.
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'Our newly established Hall of Fame, along with our set criteria, now provides clear and concise guidelines for the future,' Taylor told News Corp. 'This inaugural class of inductees not only comprises club legends but also suitably represents the first half-century of our club. It was not without much deliberation and thought that this first group of legends came to be inducted, with so many great players having played for this great club. We hope this Hall of Fame and its inductees will serve as a catalyst for conversation across generations.'
Sharks CEO Mezzatesta described the gala event as a "fitting way to pay tribute" to some of the club's greatest players. 'Congratulations to the 11 players inducted, who will be forever enshrined in Sharks folklore for their unrivalled courage, tenacity, passion and brilliance," he said. "On the eve of another exciting NRL season, it was significant for all involved to recognise our rich history and honour the players who have shaped this club.'