The National Rugby League "sharpened its focus" on Cornulla by holding fresh talks with club powerbrokers over their "financial predicament" and following up with a request for them to provide "greater clarity" around the club's future, according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Sharks officials held talks with the NRL last week and after those discussions, the club was sent a letter asking it to "provide more detailed information" by Dec. 21 about its current financial situation and its plans for the future. There are "concerns the club's existence is under threat." The club recently made a number of staff redundant but the NRL is "keeping a watching brief on Cronulla," cognizant that it must produce eight games each week as part of its contract with broadcasters the Nine Network and Fox Sports. There have been "whispers" that one "powerful" Queensland Cup side based in Brisbane was told to "ready itself in the event that one of the game’s existing 16 clubs falls over." The Sharks are "bullish about their future." It is believed the club told the NRL earlier this week that it expected to receive up to A$8M ($5.7M) early next year as part of an ongoing development at its home ground (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/7).
