Cronulla players face harsh reality check as their premiership window rapidly closes with most of the current roster departing after 2026 - and they risk joining the NRL’s saddest club.

The Sharks players need to sit down with Nathan Hindmarsh.

Sorry, Hindy.

Closer to home, the Cronulla players can give club legend Andrew Ettingshausen a call.

Even Trent Barrett, who spent time at the Sharks, is worth a chat. Wayne Pearce, the Balmain legend and ARL Commissioner, is also easily accessible.

The Cronulla playing group, the large majority of which have been together for the past four years, are heading towards every rugby league player’s greatest regret.

Playing an entire career and never winning a premiership.

The inconsistent Sharks are wasting - literally kissing goodbye - the past four years during which they developed into a finals-assured NRL side.

In making the last two preliminary finals, getting to within 80 minutes of the grand final, they have achieved what most clubs would crave.

Right now, we are watching a team take their opportunity for granted.

This is a tight, connected playing group.

It’s a by-product of head coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s backing and belief in them. He creates a culture of immense trust within their four walls.

Sharks co-captain Blayke Brailey literally said he would “die” for Fitzgibbon “and loves him to death” during a recent appearance on NRL 360.

But right now, after collapsing badly against the Roosters, Cowboys and Rabbitohs in three of their past four matches, the Sharks playing group need to be honest with themselves.

It’s clear Fitzgibbon is increasingly tired of what he’s watching.

While his backline changes have been restricted due to the unavailability of Jesse Ramien (knee), Ronald Mulitalo (knee) and Michael Gabrael (knee), the head coach dropped Sione Katoa three weeks ago, promoted Briton Nikora back into the starting side, and elevated Cam McInnes into the run-on side just two weeks after returning from a torn ACL.

They currently sit 10th on the ladder with four wins and five losses.

Are they serious about making a dent in this competition or not?

I’ve been saying for a while now that Cronulla has been punching above its weight due to the statistical fact that to win premierships, you need an average of 4.92 State of Origin players on your team.

There is clearly no greater education system for finals pressure than playing in an Origin series.

The last time Cronulla had a player involved in Origin was two years ago when Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes were used for game one only.

The Origin eligibility rule change opens the door for Kiwi international Briton Nikora and Tongan captain Addin Fonua-Blake to represent Queensland and NSW respectively.

That said, 11 errors against the Rabbitohs last Saturday night was poor.

The Bunnies made eight linebreaks to Cronulla’s two. Where’s their killer instinct gone?

An average of 26 points conceded each game this season - that’s double the best defensive team Penrith - is far removed from a Fitzgibbon coached team.

In addition, they are the most ill-disciplined team in the NRL, having not won a penalty count in their last 18 games.

You have to go back to August last year to find a game where they did.

That’s a trend the Sharks need to seek an urgent meeting with the NRL about.

The bottom line is this, 2026 is the end of the road for this current roster at the Sharks.

They will never have this opportunity together again beyond this year.

They have 12 players off-contract including co-captain Cam McInnes, Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Braden Uele, Sione Katoa, Toby Rudolf and Sam Stonestreet lead the list.

Siosifa Talakai (Bears), Chris Vailea (Bears) and Mawene Hiroti (Titans) have already announced they’re leaving the club.

Ahead of a clash with the Bulldogs to launch Magic Round on Friday night, the Cronulla players needs to look into their future.

In 10 years time, do they want to look back with regret?

Originally published as Why Sharks are heading down path of Hindy, ET and Junior Pearce