'Stay a one-club player': Loyal Colquhoun vows to deliver for Sharks
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Recently re-signed Shark Jesse Colquhoun has declared his desire to finish his career a one-club player as he looks to deliver on the expectations that come with a four-year extension.
The 24-year-old has long been touted as a future star and showed signs of his potential in the back-end of 2025 after overcoming a string of long-term injuries.
Cronulla have a host of stars off-contract at the end of the season but officials made it a priority to lock down Colquhoun in a clear sign of their hopes for the lock forward.
Jesse Colquhoun Try
While he doesn't feel pressure to deliver on his contract, the youngster is determined to help his side win a premiership before the deal runs out.
"I was never considering leaving," Colquhoun said. "I was always getting a deal done with the Sharks. It does take time and it's not an easy decision but I always knew I wanted to stay at the Sharks and hopefully I can stay a one-club player for my whole career.
"I don't see it as added pressure, I see it as an opportunity and a way to know they see something in me.
"Knowing they have that faith in me gives me a lot of confidence and hopefully I can repay that favour with a couple of premierships in that time."
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Titans
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Colquhoun's first chance to deliver on his new deal will come Saturday afternoon when the Sharks host Gold Coast in a Round 1 clash at Ocean Protect Stadium.
The match will see former Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay return to the Shire for his first game as Titans coach.
The Sharks enter the game as favourites as they look to flex their premiership credentials in the opening match of the season.
Colquhoun has long been viewed as a future representative star and an impressive start to the 2026 campaign could see him rocket into State of Origin calculations.
The youngster, however, has a much simpler personal goal. To remain healthy and stay on the field.
The goal is understandable when you consider Colquhoun's background.
The forward made his debut as a 20-year old in 2022 before his career was nearly derailed by a horror run of injuries.
'I'm lost for words': Jesse Colquhoun on NRL debut
Two foot fractures limited Colquhoun to just six games in 2023 before he tore his ACL in his comeback match in 2024.
Colquhoun returned to the field in Round 9 last year and went on to feature in 18 games in the Sharks' charge to the preliminary final.
It's a stretch he takes plenty of confidence from as he looks to hit the ground running in 2026.
"It's the first time in two years I've got through a full pre-season from start to finish," Colquhoun said. "It's nice to have a healthy, fit and firing body.
"My goal this year is to play week in, week out consistent footy. For me that would be nice. I'm not looking too far ahead, I'm just taking it day by day. There's always aspirations to play representative footy but for me I just want to play my best footy for the Sharks."
Extra responsibility was suddenly thrust upon Colquhoun late last season when inspirational skipper, and starting lock, Cam McInnes went down with an ACL injury.
The youngster flourished in the No.13 jumper and was instrumental in the Sharks' deep finals run.
Cameron McInnes Try
It's a position Colquhoun will start the year in, before McInnes' likely return midway through the season.
From there, the duo are set to form a potent one-two punch that will give opposition teams no respite throughout the 80 minutes.
"It gives me a lot of excitement knowing Cam's coming back," Colquhoun said. "It will also elevate my game as well.
"When he's back or how exactly we play together, I'm not too sure but if we're both playing our best football, it's going to be really good for the club."
