One of the most iconic jumpers in Sharks history, the 1995 home strip has been reborn as the club’s 2024 heritage jersey – on sale now!
In a tribute to the club’s storied history and past players, the Sharks will wear the sleek design against Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium in their Round 19 NRL clash.
Renowned as the ‘diagonal’ jersey due to the striking horizontal bars slanted across it, the ’95 top has stood the test of time as a favourite among Cronulla fans.
Available in men’s, women’s, youth and infant sets, the new Classic heritage jersey can be pre-ordered online via store.sharks.com.au.
Stock is due to arrive at the Sharks Store in Kareela by the end of June.
Sharks greats including Andrew Ettingshausen, Mat Rogers, Adam Dykes, David Peachey, Paul Green, Mitch Healey and Les Davidson rocked the famous jumper in a season where the club finished the regular season in fourth place.
Supporters dared to dream of a maiden premiership, but the team were eliminated in the semi-finals after a heartbreaking 19-18 defeat to Andrew Johns’ Knights.
Nonetheless, it was a memorable campaign; not least for Rogers, who followed in his famous father Steve’s footsteps and made his first-grade debut in Round 1 of ’95.
Rogers modelled the heritage jersey at a memorial golf day honouring his dad on Monday, reflecting on a maiden season in which he scored 14 tries in 21 games.
The supremely gifted outside back was crowned the Dally M Rookie of the Year for his exploits, including a four-try haul against Newcastle in Round 22.
Rogers went on to play 123 matches for the Sharks, achieving Queensland and Australian honours before becoming a dual international in rugby union.
“The Sharks’ retro round jersey, the 1995 version that I debuted in… it brings back a lot of good memories, this, so get around it, Sharks fans!” Rogers said.
Interestingly, as noted in a recent article by Sharks historian Ashley Taylor, the jersey was first emblazoned with teal rather than the usual sky blue.
Cronulla unveiled the unfamiliar shade during the ’95 pre-season ARL Tooheys Challenge, with the Sharks finishing runners up to the Broncos.
However, Taylor wrote, “by the time the first-round fixture came around of the Winfield Cup, the club had changed the colours of both the jersey and socks to the more traditional sky blue which they wore for the remainder of the season”.
Secure a piece of Sharks history by ordering the 2024 heritage jersey HERE.