Sharks dismiss rebuild theory amid fresh finals pain

Cronulla have made the finals every year since Fitzgibbon took charge in 2022 but have yet to make the grand final.

"There's only been two teams that have won the comp in the last five years," Fitzgibbon said.

"We're not that far off, but we haven't got there.

"So that's a fair criticism and it's frustrating, but we haven't got there. 

"We've got to work out how and what we do with what we've got to get there."

Seven players will move to new clubs over the off-season, including a quartet who have been ever present under Fitzgibbon -- lock Cameron McInnes (York), Siosifa Talakai (Perth) and the North Queensland-bound duo of Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien. 

"We've been up for five years now with the same group of guys, and a portion of those are leaving, and we'll be forever grateful for their service," Fitzgibbon said. 

"We've punched above our weight for a long time now. 

"It won't be hard to replace them. Everyone thinks we'll need a reset, rebuild but no, we'll just keep going. 

"We've got some guys ready to go, we won't be going anywhere."

Hynes' exclusion after failing his head injury assessment set the wheels in motion for another finals defeat for the Sharks, who now boast a 4-7 post-season record under Fitzgibbon.

Halfback Hynes has frequently been the target for criticism when Cronulla have fallen short in September.

But the No.7 was quick to apologise to his teammates after he got his head on the wrong side in a tackle on Salesi Foketi. 

"He went out there and went head first for the first collision he could get and the timing was wrong, but it's just a sign of how much he wanted it," Fitzgibbon added.

"It cost him dearly but he just apologised. He knows that he had a moment that he had an opportunity for tonight which was important to him and us.

"It went wrong, but you can handle that when you go in head first and you're committed for the team."