‘Hazelton for Origin’: Sharks’ cult hero takes NRL storm

Cronulla’s charge to the top of the NRL ladder has continued with fans all saying the same thing about the Sharks’ latest cult hero.

Tom Hazelton has taken the NRL by storm. Photo: Getty Images and Fox League

Cronulla Sharks fans have begun calling for cult hero Tom Hazelton to be called up for NSW in State of Origin after the hulking prop sealed a 38-30 Magic Round win over the Sydney Roosters.

The ladder-leaders have continued to silence the naysayers, defeating another top eight side as the Sharks aim to shed their unwanted recent record of falling short in big games.

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Having now gone 9-1 and with their most recent wins over the Storm without Nicho Hynes and Roosters, the Sharks have announced themselves as a real deal as they have begun to pull away at the top of the NRL ladder.

And it’s down to players like unsung cult star Hazelton that the Sharks are taking off in 2024.

The prop, who was given the nickname “40-20” by Sharks legend Paul Gallen because he looked 40 when he was 20 years old according to the Sydney Morning Herald, has come of age in 2024.

The baldheaded 25-year-old has played 29 NRL games over the past three seasons but has earned a starting role in the Sharks’ pack this season.

He’s also proven himself a tryscorer, adding a fourth try in five matches when he crossed in the 77th minute to finally put the match against the Roosters to bed.

On the second tackle of a set attacking the Roosters’ line, Hazelton was the option out the back, beating Connor Watson and carrying in-form second rower Angus Crichton over the line.

“Big Tom Hazelton, the cult hero, wins it for Cronulla,” Warren Smith screamed on Fox League.

“What a season he’s had — he’s taken every opportunity, a couple of injuries to the starting props and Tom Hazelton, it’s not part of the front rower’s role to be scoring tries, and he’s doing it for fun in 2024,” Corey Parker added.

Fans want Tom Hazelton in Origin. Photo: Fox Sports

There was no stopping Tom Hazelton. Photo: Fox Sports

It was Hazelton’s fifth try of the season and he’s currently third on the Sharks try-scoring list.

Star halfback Hynes had nothing but praise for the big front-rower.

“He’s scored more tries than me,” Hynes laughed on Fox League.

“He’s a cult hero for us at the moment. He’s just working extremely hard. Good things happen to good people and good things happen to people who work hard and good things are happening to him.

“Couldn’t be more proud of him, I love playing with him and it’s just showing whoever comes in does a really good job and just really pleased for the whole club at the moment.”

When Fox League’s Jake Duke spoke to the cult hero about his tryscoring efforts, Hazelton paid tribute to his teammates.

Duke also joked “you get kicked out of the front-rowers’ union for scoring that many tries”.

Hazelton replied: “Yeah, they’re all off me mate, they seem to think it’s something against them.

“But it doesn’t matter who scores, as long as we get them over the line and put good performances together, that’s all that matters.”

Tom Hazelton has become a cult hero at Cronulla. Photo: Fox Sports

Although it wasn’t Hazelton’s best game of the season, having run 69m in eight runs (he averages 102.9m per game in 2024) and made 15 tackles in 36 minutes, plenty of fans were thinking the same thing.

Plenty of fans tweeted simply: “Hazelton for Origin.”

Freelance reporter Curtis Woodward commented: “Said several times this year. Tom Hazelton needs to be in the NSW Blues side. He’s a giant but a footballer as well and will bleed for his state.”

Another fan said: “Big Tommy Hazelton is to the Sharks what Ryan Harris was to the Australian cricket team — all his teammates love him and want to play with/for him. Unassuming workhorses are essential.”

The match was a shootout from the start with Sharks fullback Will Kennedy scoring in the first minute, before the Roosters hit straight back.

The sides essentially traded tries throughout the match, with the Sharks only really getting breathing space when Hazelton scored.

The Sharks went wild for Hazelton. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Sharks skipper Cam McInnes was also asked about Hazelton, saying: “Everyone loves him,” pointing to fans getting pictures before the match dressed as the cult hero.

“Obviously scoring the tries but he’s working so hard getting us on the front foot — him and Oregon Kaufusi,” McInnes said.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon still wasn’t buying into the hype, saying: “There’s still a long way to go, we’ll need to get better next week.”

Asked about the Sharks, Roosters skipper James Tedesco said: “They’re probably the most consistent — that’s why they’re sitting on top of the table.

“They’ve got good balance across the team, they’ve had some really good wins this season.”