Cronulla Sharks centre Jesse Ramien has been spotted in Sydney's south having a meeting with a rival NRL club's head coach and recruitment officer. The 28-year-old was seen in Brighton having a coffee with North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten and the Cowboys' head of recruitment, Clint Zammit.
For Sharks supporters, the image captures the uncomfortable reality facing Craig Fitzgibbon's club as the 2026 season unfolds. Off-contract at the end of this season, the Sharks are expected to let Ramien go, opting to use the money for re-signing other talent such as Sam Stonestreet and Billy Burns.
It is a difficult triage exercise. A striking eight members of the 19-man squad selected for the round-one fixture are currently without contracts extending beyond the current season, including significant figures such as Jesse Ramien, Will Kennedy, and Braden Uele. These key players represent a combined total of 1,042 NRL games, including Cameron McInnes, Will Kennedy, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, and Braden Hamlin-Uele.
The Cowboys are not alone in their pursuit. Both the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles are keen on the centre. Ramien's manager has also confirmed his client would be open to the PNG Chiefs, the NRL's incoming expansion club.
Yet Fitzgibbon is framing the impending exodus as a potential advantage rather than a crisis. Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is embracing the looming prospect of a significant roster shake-up as a potential catalyst to propel the club into genuine NRL premiership contention this season, with a number of key players on expiring contracts creating an opportunity to galvanise his squad. The coach drew parallels to Penrith's approach last year, when departing stars framed their final campaign as a "last ride."
Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said at the season launch, "It's going to be inevitable, we won't be able to keep everyone. It just won't work. And I think as a message for the younger boys coming through, they need to know that they're going to have their chance as well."
The challenge for Cronulla is clear: balance this season's premiership push with the hard decisions ahead. With 171 games of NRL experience, Ramien would prove a valuable pickup for any club looking to bolster their centres. The question is whether he will finish his career at the Shire or chase opportunity elsewhere.