The team, in town for the big NRL clash against Penrith on Saturday, will meet fans and sign autographs following a private dinner at the club.

The event came about after three diehard Cronulla supporters, all of whom work at the Bathurst RSL, wrote to the NRL asking for a chance to meet the team.

Phil Wohlgemuth, Symon Craig and Steven Bell, who all have long histories of supporting Cronulla, said they couldn't let the chance to meet the players slip by.

Mr Wohlgemuth, a supervisor at the RSL, worked as a trainer with Cronulla between 1979 and 1982.

He said Mr Craig and Mr Bell were behind the push to get the Sharks to come to the RSL. He said the pair contacted the NRL via email and Cronulla agreed to the request.

The trio have also set up memorabilia in the club, including Cronulla flags, books, jerseys and footballs.

Mr Wohlgemuth said he had always been a fan of the Sharks.

“Before Cronulla, all the good players from the region went to St George,” he said.

But that changed in 1967 when the Sharks were accepted into the first grade competition.

And while the club has never won a premiership, Mr Wohlgemuth said his allegiance won’t change.

“We’ve got our tickets [for Saturday]; we’ll be sitting on the hill,” he said.

Mr Craig has also got a long history with the club.

“I’ve supported them since I was six,” he said.

“I’ve always gone for the underdog, and I can’t wait for the weekend to roll around. I took the weekend off especially for the game.”

Bathurst RSL marketing manager Peter Feenan said the team would attend a private meal at 6pm and then be available to meet and greet from about 7.15pm.

He said there would be plenty of activities, including raffles starting at 7pm.

“There will be heaps on, with prizes and giveaways on the night totalling $1500,” he said. “We’ve got 35 prizes up for grabs, including 30 meat trays.”