Stephing up: Faulkner blazing a trail for future Sharks

After etching her name into Cronulla Sharks history, Stephanie Faulkner wants to inspire girls in the Shire to follow her path to the NRLW.

Faulkner, who scored two tries on debut in last Saturday's 56-6 defeat of the Raiders, is a symbol of what a strong development pathways system can achieve.

The 20-year-old prop grew up dreaming of playing for the Sharks and is the first player to progress all the way through Cronulla's female pathways to the NRLW

From Lisa Fiola Cup, Tarsha Gale Cup, Harvey Norman’s Women’s Premiership, to the NRLW Development Squad, and now with the elites in the NRLW.

“Oh, it is so special. I remember putting on that Lisa Fiola jersey for the first time, I was like this is a dream come true. And then slowly moving up the ranks, I still thought NRLW was a long way away for myself. Then to be here only a few years later is massive.” Faulkner told ljmpta.com.

“To all the young girls, there is a pathway now and we have got an incredible system at the Sharks here. I’m so stoked."

And as if a debut wasn’t special enough, Faulkner made it one to remember by also becoming the first prop in the NRLW’s history to score a double on debut.

“Honestly running out there I was wondering; is this even real,” Faulkner said post-match, still soaking in the moment.

“The first try kind of fell into my lap and I was like this is so good. The second one, I couldn’t believe that it actually happened. The best feeling ever."

“Like I said, I wasn’t expecting a try, let alone two especially being a prop, you don’t score many. So yeah, that’s hectic.”

From the moment she pulled on her first Sharks jersey, Faulkner set her sights on the top level, even if at times it felt far away.

What makes Faulkner’s journey even more remarkable is how rooted she is in the club. Her love for the team and the players she now gets to share the field with runs deep.

“I was a Sharks supporter growing up and I never thought that I would be putting on that jersey this afternoon.” Faulkner told ljmpta.com.

“The highlight of my time coming through the Sharks would be running out with the girls today. I have looked up to a lot of them throughout my junior career.

"Last year being development and even being in Harvey Norman and Tarsha Gale, they would all come around and they really support the junior pathways.

“Being able to look up to them and for it to be my dream one day to it actually becoming reality, that is the highlight for me."

Cronulla coach Tony Herman couldn’t have been prouder of Faulkner, who got her chance after a season ending ACL tear to Filomina Hanisi.

“It was great. Steph’s come through everything you know; from Lisa Fiola, Tarsha Gale, Harvey Norman, NRLW development, top squad, now into debuting," Herman said.

"I couldn’t be more proud of her and the pathways system that she has come through.

“That second try where she just keeps pushing in support is what you know, we talk a lot about Cronulla mentality being effort and you know, she personified that [in that try].

"To see the smile on her face and talk to her in the change room there after the game, you know, debut to do that it’s pretty special for the club and very special for her. We love it.”

Midway through the second half at GIO Stadium, concern struck as Faulkner was taken from the field looking worse for wear. But she has ensured Sharks fans that she is right to go for next week.

“I am totally fine, it was just a little bit of a grade three carry on,” she laughed.

Returning home to Sharks Stadium to take on the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday, Faulkner hopes to bring consistency throughout the season.