No wonder, then, that Sharks coach Shane Flanagan wanted Isaac De Gois back at Shark Park for 2012.

Isaac De Gois, now 27, has the unusual honour of having played Test football before making his first grade debut, representing Portugal with his two brothers in a match against Fiji.

Also, like prop Ben Ross, having made his mark at the Sharks, going away and returning to the club.

A Wests junior from the Liverpool area, De Gois attended All Saints Catholic senior before moving through the juniors and eventually making his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers in 2006.

He joined the Sharks the following year, and for two years became one of the competition's most dangerous hookers, running from the ruck area with his lightning-fast dashes.

The Sharks faithful were astounded when the Newcastle Knights were able to poach him. Filling the absence left by Danny Buderus, who went overseas to play, De Gois again established himself as a team backbone of Newcastle's forward pack, constantly troubling defensive markers throughout 2011 and proving one of the NRL's top tacklers.

However, in 2011 De Gois knew he would be moving on for season 2012.

"I heard Danny Buderus was coming back to the club, quite early on, to play under Wayne Bennett," said De Gois.

"I knew that would make it hard for me as well at the Knights."

Although the Knights and De Gois had agreed to terms for 2012, a management freeze on new signings had come into place and De Gois was told he was free to negotiate.

De Gois and his manager were quickly back in contact with Shane Flanagan, who as Ricky Stuart's assistant had so much to do with getting him to the Sharks in the first place.

"I was more than happy to come back, I can tell you," said De Gois, who arrived with former Knights forward Mark Taufua.

"Flanno and I have always had a good understanding, and the Sharks appear to have recruited really well.

"Having Todd [Carney] calling the shots is a big plus, too, because he's a good talker and he's really been showing the way in training."

Isaac De Gois joins first grade hooker John Morris and new half/hooker Jeff Robson at the Sharks in 2012.