More than 1500 devoted Cronulla rugby league fans turned out for the Sharks fan day and official season launch at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware, on Sunday.
In humid, summer weather, the fans donned club colours to meet and greet their NRL idols on their home turf.
Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said it was a good move by the club to hold the fan day and season launch and for supporters to meet the players.
The Sharks open their NRL season campaign against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday, March 8, at 6.30pm, at Remondis Stadium.
One family travelled several hundred kilometres to be at the fan day.
Paul Austin, of Stroud and his wife, Trish, and three children, Alannah, 8, Bodhi, 4, Caitlin, 9, jumped in the car this morning for the long trek.
''It's a little more than three hours drive to get here, but it's worth it,'' Paul Austin said.
''We drive to all the home games. We love the Sharks and will always stick together with them.''
Austin said the family came to day and night games and he, and many of his friends who are Sharks supporters, were excited about the year ahead.
Austin formed a supporters group several months ago on Facebook which now has more than 3500 followers.
The Sharks football club sold membership packages for the season and merchandise at their Remondis Stadium outlet.
The fan day was held after the Sharks final trial of the pre-season against Wests Tigers, which they lost 22-8, on Saturday night at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Sharks’ opening round NRL clash will be against Canberra Raiders at 6.30pm on Sunday, March 8, at Remondis Stadium.
Did you get down to the fan day?
