The foundation club created history at Queens Park on Saturday, defeating defending champions Brothers 3–2 in a dramatic Drop-off to claim the 2026 Colliers Shield title.
It was Sharks’ first Women’s 1st Grade Grand Final appearance since 1997 and delivered the club its long-awaited first premiership in the grade, 44 years after the women’s competition began in 1982.
The achievement is even more remarkable given Sharks only returned to Women’s 1st Grade in 2025 following an extended absence.
After rebuilding at the top level last season, Sharks completed their rise in just their second year back by bringing an end to Brothers’ title defence.
Scores were locked at 2-all at the end of regular time, sending the match into the only Drop-off of the 11 Grand Finals played on Saturday.
Sharks struck early in the opening two-minute period of extra time before defending their one-try advantage to secure the historic victory.
Teesha Edwards was recognised for her performance in the decider, receiving the Carey Group Women’s 1st Grade Player of the Final Award.
The premiership was also Sharks’ first in either first-grade competition since the club claimed the Men’s 1st Grade title in 2019.
Brothers later ensured they would not leave Grand Final day without a first-grade premiership, reversing the result of last year’s Men’s 1st Grade decider with a 4–3 victory over Redskins.
The rematch was closely contested throughout, with neither side able to establish a lead of more than two tries.
Scores were locked at 2-all at half-time, setting up a hard-fought second half between the competition’s two leading teams.
Brothers eventually edged ahead to reclaim the title from Redskins, who had defeated them 6–5 in the 2025 Grand Final.
The victory completed an undefeated season for Brothers, who did not lose a match throughout their 2026 Men’s 1st Grade campaign.
While undefeated seasons are not unprecedented in the Colliers Shield, the achievement remains a rare one, with Rum Runners most recently completing successive undefeated seasons during their remarkable five-year Women’s 1st Grade premiership run, which ended in 2025.
Jacob Pugh was named the Carey Group Men’s 1st Grade Player of the Final after helping Brothers secure the one-try victory.
The close finishes were not limited to the first-grade matches, with seven of the day’s 11 Grand Finals decided by a single try.
Crocs became back-to-back Women’s 2nd Grade premiers after holding off Redskins 5–4 in the opening match on Field 1.
Jots-Tigers also successfully defended their Men’s 3rd Grade title, defeating Sharks 8–4, before adding the Men’s 2nd Grade premiership with a thrilling 9–8 victory over defending champions Brothers.
Sharks completed a successful day across the women’s grades, defeating Redskins 3–2 in Women’s 4th Grade and Brothers Blue 5–3 in Women’s 3rd Grade.
The Women’s 4th Grade result delivered Sharks successive premierships in the grade after Sharks Blue defeated Redskins in the 2025 decider.
Redskins secured the Men’s 5th Grade premiership with a 9–6 victory over Brothers, while Frogs claimed Women’s 6th Grade after edging Rum Runners 4–3.
Frogs Black recorded the largest win of the afternoon, defeating Brothers 12–2 to claim the Men’s 4th Grade title.
Brothers Blue rounded out the results with a 2–1 victory over Sharks Blue in Women’s 5th Grade, reversing their Semi Final defeat against the same opponent to secure the premiership.
2026 Colliers Shield Grand Final results
Women’s 1st Grade — Sharks defeated Brothers 3–2 after a Drop-off
Men’s 1st Grade — Brothers defeated Redskins 4–3
Women’s 2nd Grade — Crocs defeated Redskins 5–4
Men’s 2nd Grade — Jots-Tigers defeated Brothers 9–8
Women’s 3rd Grade — Sharks defeated Brothers Blue 5–3
Men’s 3rd Grade — Jots-Tigers defeated Sharks 8–4
Women’s 4th Grade — Sharks defeated Redskins 3–2
Men’s 4th Grade — Frogs Black defeated Brothers 12–2
Women’s 5th Grade — Brothers Blue defeated Sharks Blue 2–1
Men’s 5th Grade — Redskins defeated Brothers 9–6
Women’s 6th Grade — Frogs defeated Rum Runners 4–3