2003 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season

none November 2020 February 2014 2003 NRL 12th Challenge Cup 8 0 16 497 (92 tries, 64 goals, 1 field goal) 704 (121 tries, 109 goals, 2 field goals) CEO Chris Anderson David PeacheyBrett Kimmorley Toyota Park 12,892 Phil Bailey (13) Jarrad Anderson (35) Jarrad Anderson (94) 2002 2004 The 2003 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season was the 37th in the club's history. Coached by Chris Anderson and captained by David Peachey and Brett Kimmorley, they competed in the NRL's 2003 Telstra Premiership. The Sharks finished the regular season 12th (out of 15), failing to make the play-offs for the first time since 1998. Season summary Cronulla, hoping to build on its past four seasons in which it made the finals, suffered a season of unrelenting disappointment which culminated in the dismissal of head coach Chris Anderson. The Sharks' 2003 season lowlight was the 74-4 thumping received at the hands of the Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium on 23 August 2003 (round 24).Shayne on you: Ando blows up over ref – Sydney Morning Herald Despite scoring first through Paul Gallen in the 18th minute, and only trailing 24–4 at halftime, the Sharks put in their worst ever performance which just got worse with captain David Peachey and Dale Newton taking the walk of shame and Danny Nutley being sin binned for pulling the leg of a Parramatta opponent.Eels set club record against 11-man Sharks It would not be until Round 11, 2011 that the Sharks would again leave Parramatta Stadium on the back of a hiding; but this time the Sharks had a 40–6 defeat. Highlights were few and far between in 2003; notable wins included a big 40–16 win over Manly in what was their first win for the season (also a big one) backed up with a 30–14 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs, both at home and then a 30–24 away win over the 2001 premiers Newcastle in Newcastle in which Paul Gallen was sent off. It appeared as though those hat-trick of wins would get the Sharks going in 2003, but the Sharks were never in the finals hunt throughout the year. Other notable wins included a 34–28 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, a comeback 20–10 win over the Brisbane Broncos after trailing 10–2 at halftime, a 25–16 win over bitter rivals St. George Illawarra at home and then a 54–34 win over the Rabbitohs in a bottom-of-the-table clash (this match occurring the week after the humiliating defeat against Parramatta). Anderson was replaced during the off-season by Stuart Raper who had previous coaching experience with the Wigan Warriors. His term at the Sharks would only last three full seasons. Squad Movement 2003 Gains Player Signed from Jarrad Anderson Western Suburbs Magpies 16 Western Suburbs MagpiesNEWS UPDATE: Young Sharks impress at Sevens https://www.sharks.com.au/ www.sharks.com.au 29 March 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030207143659/https://www.sharks.com.au/ 2003-02-07Late starter finally takes his chance https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/late-starter-finally-takes-his-chance-20030614-gdgxhk.html The Sydney Morning Herald 29 March 2026 14 June 2003PLAYER PROFILE: Jarrad Anderson http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=858 www.nrl.com.au 7 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030807221232/http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=858 2003-08-07 Jason Kent St George Illawarra 16 St George Illawarra DragonsThe 2003 Season https://www.sharks.com.au/ www.sharks.com.au 29 March 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030123093435/https://www.sharks.com.au/ 2003-01-23PLAYER PROFILE: Jason Kent http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=737 www.nrl.com.au 7 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030415083621/http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=737 2003-04-15 Andrew Emelio Canterbury Bulldogs 16 Canterbury BulldogsThe 2003 Season https://www.sharks.com.au/ www.sharks.com.au 29 March 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030123093435/https://www.sharks.com.au/ 2003-01-23 Junior Paulo Penrith Panthers 16 Penrith PanthersThe 2003 Season https://www.sharks.com.au/ www.sharks.com.au 29 March 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030123093435/https://www.sharks.com.au/ 2003-01-23 Laloa Milford South Sydney 16 Pia DonkeysLaloa Milford - RLP https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/laloa-milford/summary.html www.rugbyleagueproject.org 29 March 2026Sharks bitten by unregistered player fine https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-04-23/sharks-bitten-by-unregistered-player-fine/1842364 ABC News 13 April 2026 23 April 2003 Shaun Wessell Manly Sea Eagles 16 Manly Sea EaglesThe 2003 Season https://www.sharks.com.au/ www.sharks.com.au 29 March 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030123093435/https://www.sharks.com.au/ 2003-01-23PLAYER PROFILE: Shaun Wessell http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=864 www.nrl.com.au 7 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030415115448/http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=11&PlayerID=864 2003-04-15 2003 Losses Player Signed from Colin Best Hull FC 16 Hull FCColin Best https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/802 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026Hull swoop for Aussie Best http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2177242.stm BBC Sport 13 April 2026 6 August 2002 Luke Branighan South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsLuke Branighan https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/2303 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026PLAYER PROFILE: Luke Branighan http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=12&PlayerID=444 www.nrl.com.au 7 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20030924221817/http://www.nrl.com.au/myclub/playerprofile.cfm?TeamID=12&PlayerID=444 2003-09-24RABBITOHS SIGN TWO MORE PLAYERS http://nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_4083.asp nrl.com.au 8 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20020803210104/http://nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_4083.asp 2002-08-03 Preston Campbell Penrith Panthers 16 Penrith PanthersPreston Campbell https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/328 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Brett Firman St George Illawarra Dragons 16 St George Illawarra DragonsBrett Firman https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/brett-firman/summary.html Rugby League Project 7 April 2026RABBITOHS SIGN TWO MORE PLAYERS http://nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_4083.asp nrl.com.au 8 April 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20020803210104/http://nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_4083.asp 2002-08-03 Nick Graham Wigan 16 Wigan Warriors (mid-season)Nick Graham https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/1314 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026Graham walks out on Cronulla https://www.smh.com.au/national/graham-walks-out-on-cronulla-20030425-gdgnoj.html The Sydney Morning Herald 13 April 2026 25 April 2003 Matthew Johns Retired Matthew Johns https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/393 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026No regrets: injured Johns calls it quits https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/no-regrets-injured-johns-calls-it-quits-20021027-gdfrj0.html The Sydney Morning Herald 13 April 2026 27 October 2002 Karl Lovell Retired Karl Lovell https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/3033 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Luke MacDougall South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsLuke MacDougall https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/1368 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Ryan McGoldrick NSW 16 NSW WaratahsRyan McGoldrick https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/1590 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Chris McKenna Leeds 16 Leeds RhinosChris McKenna https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/661 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026BBC SPORT Rugby League Super League Leeds land ace McKenna https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2133799.stm newsimg.bbc.co.uk 13 April 2026 Andrew Pierce Retired Andrew Pierce https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/415 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Ronald Prince Parramatta 16 Parramatta EelsRonald Prince https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/2305 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Jared Taylor South Sydney 16 South Sydney RabbitohsJared Taylor https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/3158 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026 Dean Triester Hull FC 16 Hull FC (mid-season)Dean Triester https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/1315 Rugby League Project 7 April 2026Swain to join Hull http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/3034634.stm BBC Sport 13 April 2026 1 July 2003 Ladder References 30em 2003 Category:2003 NRL season by club Category:2003 in sport in Sydney