Sharks Junior Reps Wrap Up Pre-Season with Final Home Trial

cronullajrl
2 hours ago
3 min read

The Sharks Junior Representative pre-season came to a successful conclusion over the Australia Day long weekend, with the final trial match played at home in front of a healthy crowd at Sharks Academy. Supporters were treated to a full day of football under warm, clear summer skies as all Sharks Junior Rep squads took their final step toward the 2026 season.

The day opened with the club’s female pathways on display, as the Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup squads faced the North Sydney Bears. Both teams produced strong performances, continuing the positive signs shown throughout the pre-season.

The standout result came from the Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s), who delivered a dominant display, scoring eight unanswered tries all while keeping the Bears scoreless. It was an impressive all-round performance and a strong reflection of the continued growth of female rugby league in the Shire, highlighting the depth of talent progressing from local Junior Rugby League into the Sharks’ female pathways program.

The Tarsha Gale Cup side was led out by reigning Female Junior Representative Player of the Year, Koffi Brookfield, who will captain the Sharks this season. Brookfield brings valuable experience into the campaign after being part of the 2025 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership-winning Sharks squad, providing strong leadership for a talented Tarsha Gale group.

The afternoon then shifted focus to the male Junior Rep program, with the Harold Matthews Cup, Under 16 and Under 18 Development squads, and SG Ball Cup teams all taking on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. The matches provided an important opportunity for coaches and selectors to test combinations and finalise squad selections ahead of Round 1, with plenty of encouraging signs across all grades.

Across the day, supporters were treated to high-quality football, marking a fitting end to the pre-season on a spectacular Australia Day long weekend in the Shire.

Attention now turns to Round 1 of the NSWRL Junior Representative season, which kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with the Sharks travelling north to Maitland to take on the Newcastle Knights in all four competition grades — Lisa Fiaola Cup, Tarsha Gale Cup, Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup.

With strong performances throughout the trial period, the Sharks’ boys and girls will head into the season confident and ready to represent the Black, White and Blue with pride.

LET FOOTY SEASON BEGIN !!!

Check out the links to full galleries from all 6 trial games against the North Sydney Bears and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs below thanks to Cronulla JRL Photographer - Adam Wrightson.

Remember to visit the official Sharks Website and to follow the Cronulla JRL website and social media channels for all the action and excitement from the 2026 NSWRL junior representative season.

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