Cronulla Sharks captain Cameron McInnes set to sign one-year contract extension amid Nicho Hynes rally cry

Cronulla captain Cameron McInnes is on the verge of extending his future at the Sharks after Nicho Hynes implored the club’s off-contract players to stick around and build for another premiership.

Cronulla captain Cameron McInnes is on the verge of extending his future at the Sharks.

The respected leader and fearless lock-forward is in the final stages of negotiations of a new contract that will keep him in the Shire until the end of 2026.

The major contract development has emerged just 24-hours after star playmaker Nicho Hynes called on the Sharks long-list of off-contract stars to re-sign in the belief the club is on the verge of winning a premiership.

McInnes is one of 12 Cronulla squad members that hit the November 1 open market.

The 30-year-old is a highly valued leader of the Sharks, particularly in the wake of the vacuum of experience at the club following the retirement of former captains Wade Graham and Dale Finucane over the past 12-months.

McInnes has played 204 NRL games - the most of any player at the Sharks.

The 12-month extension of McInnes until the end of 2026 is smart business by both the Sharks and the hard-nosed forward.

Cameron McInnes is set to extend his stay in Cronulla. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The new contract allows Cronulla wiggle room to assess the balance of their forward pack at the end of 2026, while also allowing the respected figure the chance to potentially enter the market ahead of the potential of any new team into the NRL.

Viewed by many as a warrior on the field by taking on middle forwards more than 20kg his size, McInnes’ durability is undeniable with his toughness evident in his average of almost 24-games per-season across the past seven years.

It’s anticipated the Sharks are also working to re-sign their remaining list of players without a contract beyond 2025 including Teig Wilton, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Oregon Kaufusi, Tuku Hau Tapua, Sam Stonestreet, Will Kennedy and Tom Hazelton.

HYNES RALLIES TEAMMATES

Nicho Hynes and his Cronulla teammates spent Friday afternoon unwrapping Christmas presents with young patients from the Randwick Children’s Hospital.

Prior to delivering some festive cheer to the most worthy of faces, Hynes stood for a press opportunity with four players from the club’s lower grades behind him.

Sitting within ear shot, the talented Nikora Williams, Sam McCulloch, Mawene Hiroti and Michael Gabrael could hear the Sharks leader’s every word – particularly the ones that every rookie wants to hear.

“I feel like if we keep everyone on board then we can fight for a premiership every year,” Hynes said.

Yet the messaging wasn’t specifically for them.

Hynes, with his tone of confidence and belief, called on no less than 12 of the club’s off-contract players to stick around long-term in the belief that the Sharks are on the verge of winning a premiership.

Nicho Hynes believes the Sharks are on the cusp of a premiership win and has called on his 12 off-contract teammates to stay with the club. Picture: Getty Images

The 2024 preliminary finalists began the November 1 open market with one of the largest contingent of players off-contract at the end of 2025.

Out of the gates, the club did well to retain Briton Nikora (2026) and Braydon Trindall (2028), but have lost talented utility Daniel Atkinson to St George Illawarra for 2026.

In conceding Atkinson’s exit at the end of next season “sucks”, Hynes said his focus was on ensuring the likes of off-contract NRL squad members Oregon Kaufusi, Teig Wilson, Tom Hazelton, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Will Kennedy, Sam Stonestreet and Tuku Hau Tapuha re-signed with the club.

“What we’re building at the club is something pretty special,” Hynes said with a bag of Christmas presents at his feet.

Sharks players Nikora Williams, Mawene Hiroti, Michael Gabrael and Nicho Hynes visiting sick kids at Randwick Children’s Hospital.

“When you’re going so well as a club, obviously people want to come hunting your players.

“They (teammates) might get offered a bit more money than what we have (in the salary cap) and I would never begrudge a teammate for wanting to look after family and go and find a good opportunity.

“But in saying that I feel like we’re building something special – it’s something you want to be a part of.

“We’re the only club to have all four grades still alive at the back-end of the year.

“I think our club is pretty special at the moment and to see our women’s, our Jersey Flegg, our feeder club Newtown and us (NRL), all in preliminary finals or grand finals.

“Not many clubs have been able to do that of late.

“As long as we can keep building and keep nurturing them, there’s no reason why we can’t keep progressing.

“You (players) have to weigh-up what you really want.

“You want to be happy and be part of a special team? Or do you want to go and chase other opportunities and maybe better money?

“I don’t begrudge anyone for both options, but I feel like us as leaders at the club, we’re trying to build something where people want to stay.

Hynes believes the acquisition of Addin Fonua-Blake is a game changing signing for the Sharks. Picture: Supplied

“Hopefully this club means enough to them that they want to stay and fight for a premiership.

“I feel like if we keep everyone on board then we can fight for a premiership every year.

“I’m confident we’ve got a good culture. We’re all happy, we all love each other and that means more than anything else.”

Hynes pointed to the signing of Dally M prop of the year Addin Fonua-Blake as a game-changer for the club, while also admitting he needed to find his own improvement in 2025 alongside Trindall.

“He’s a big boy (Fonua-Blake), so hopefully he brings his size and some intimidation factor,” Hynes said.

“He’s an enforcer who has got player of the year in his position for a couple of years in a row now, so hopefully he brings that form to us.

“I’m not happy with the way the year ended. I can play a lot better.

“Every single day I want to rock up and be a better version of myself and as a teammate.

“I just want to be an all-round better player as the years go on.

Asked about Trindall’s reward of a new deal following a breakout 2025 season, Hynes said the duo had a distinct opportunity they needed to cash-in on.

“He’s been biding his time for a while now. When he came to the club, he had Moyza (Matt Moylan) there, and then before that there was Shan (Johnson) and Chad (Townsend),” Hynes said.

“His form at the back-end of the year was outstanding.

“So as long as he can keep building that and keep building our combination, I can’t see why we can’t have a successful year together.

“As long as we can stay fit and healthy and stay on the field it should be a good year.”

Originally published as Cronulla Sharks captain Cameron McInnes set to sign one-year contract extension amid Nicho Hynes rally cry