Mulitalo urges NRL to allow sledging as Cronulla advances toward next stage

Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has urged the NRL to let trash talk flow on the field, saying he would be 'gone for a whole year' if his words crossed a line. The outspoken back-rower, known for his on-field wind-ups, spoke ahead of Cronulla’s preliminary final clash with Melbourne as the club chases its first grand final appearance since 2016. Mulitalo acknowledged the line between competitive banter and crossing a boundary, but suggested officials should not outlaw sledging outright.

The Sharks moved within one win of their first grand final since 2016 after beating Canberra 32-12, extending a stretch of strong late-season form that has seen Cronulla win nine of their last ten outings. The result solidified Cronulla’s standing as a form team entering the business end of the season, with coach Craig Fitzgibbon guiding the squad through a consistent run that has redefined expectations for the club.

Mulitalo’s comments come amid a broader conversation about the culture of sledging in the NRL. He said, 'It's high stakes. Nobody takes it personally. And if you can't handle words when you go out there, that's on you.' He added that the game rewards those who can get under an opponent’s skin, while acknowledging there are lines that should not be crossed. 'You can say whatever you want to me. I've been called plenty of things, but am I going to sit around and say, 'he hurt my feelings'?' Mulitalo said. 'Play the game how it is. It's tough. It's a man's game. If you're getting hurt by words, obviously there's a limit, you don't bring in partners or kids – you never cross that line. With Hudson Young, he can say whatever he wants. I gave him a bit of lip, and I was giving it back. Not once did I say, 'he hurt my feelings'.'

The Sharks head to AAMI Park on Friday as underdogs against the Storm, with the team intent on maintaining the momentum that has carried them deep into September. Mulitalo stressed that, while banter is part of the fabric of rugby league, success on the field will ultimately require disciplined execution, especially in a sudden-death context where mistakes are punished harshly. 'We've been together for four years and I think we all know if we don't get something done or get moving, we'll pay the price,' he said. 'That's how you lose players, and someone comes in to do a job. We don't get the right to speak about respect when you haven't earned anything; how can you demand respect when you don't have a premiership? You earn respect by beating the best of the best.'

The injury front for Cronulla also shaped preparations for the weekend. The club will be without prop Tom Hazleton against Melbourne due to a category one concussion, but there was better news on Sunday with front-rower Toby Rudolf cleared to face the Storm. Rudolf had been penalised for a high shot on Raiders captain Joe Tapine but will escape with a $1,000 fine, the same amount Cronulla back-rower Billy Burns will pay after a dangerous contact charge from the NRL’s match review committee. Burns, however, will be free to play his first preliminary final after what coach Fitzgibbon has described as a breakout season for the Shire outfit.

Cronulla’s run to a second straight preliminary final under Fitzgibbon has helped reframe the club’s narrative around handling pressure in sudden-death games. Mulitalo’s candid posture toward on-field cheek and sledging adds another layer to the Sharks’ approach, one that aims to combine mental edge with disciplined execution. If Cronulla can translate that balance into a first premiership, the broader endorsement of sledging as part of the competitive grind may be tempered by the need to avoid missteps that could disrupt a championship bid.

As the Sharks prepare for the high-stakes clash with Melbourne, Mulitalo’s plea to keep sledging in play highlights a broader tension within professional sport: the desire to preserve a raw, entertaining edge while maintaining safety and respect for players and families. Whether officials will adopt a more permissive stance remains to be seen, but Cronulla’s players have made their position clear: in their view, the banter belongs to the sport, and the ultimate measure of success will be winning a premiership on the back of tough, disciplined play.