From cars to Culture Kings, how did star Sharks spend debut paychecks?

They might be big money stars now, but before their finals clash against Melbourne we found out which Sharks saved their first NRL paychecks, and which ones splurged.

What did Sharks stars buy with their first ever contracts?

Cronulla star Sione Katoa thought he had hit the jackpot when his first ever rugby league paycheck hit his bank account as a teenager.

He instantly felt the pinch. Not because of how meagre the paycheck was but because it left him to feel the wrath of his father’s tough love.

“I remember this story, because I remember spending it all and I didn’t tell my parents, my dad,” Katoa said.

“He got really angry with me and I got a big hiding.”

Katoa learnt his lesson quickly after that.

“I never touched any of it (again),” he laughed.

Katoa paid a price for how he spent his first paycheck. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Katoa paid a price for how he spent his first paycheck. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Jesse Ramien’s first ever paycheck also led to a bonding experience with his father, but of a different kind.

“I was living at my old man’s house and wanted my own space,” Ramien said.

“So I bought an old caravan and me and my old man did it up.

“I think it was about $1,500- $2,000 … it wasn’t much but being able to buy it myself.”

From surfboards to phone bills and their first ever rides, we reveal the first ever contracts of Cronulla Sharks stars and what they spent their money on.

Originally published as From cars to Culture Kings, how did star Sharks spend debut paychecks?

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