JEFF Robson gets few surprises after 11 years playing NRL footy.
While many were ready to write off Cronulla before a ball was kicked this season, Robson had faith.
He kept the faith after the Sharks lost their first four games of the campaign and as they prepare to host his old club Manly on Sunday he isn't surprised Cronulla are on the verge of playing finals football for the first time since 2013.
"I think we've got a good mix," he said. "We've got some older boys there with a lot of experience. We've got some middle-age bracket boys who have a fair bit of first-grade experience.
"And then we've got some exciting, young outside backs who are doing a great job.
"I would've been very disappointed if we didn't make the top eight.
"With the roster we have, I knew we could do a good job and play some good footy and potentially press for the top four.
"It definitely was within our capabilities of getting to the finals."
Robson, who began his NRL career with the Sea Eagles in 2004, has been happy with his form this year after building combinations with two off-season recruits in Michael Ennis and Jack Bird.
"I think I've played pretty consistent, steady footy.
"I've been leading the boys around the park and have started to combine well with Mickey Ennis and Jack Bird now which is really good.
"I'm really enjoying my footy, actually.
"It's taken a while to get there. I think Mickey is a very good player and Birdy is just learning his trade coming in as a young player. So it took a little while to come together but now we're starting to build towards the finals."
The 33-year-old has enjoyed an injury-free year and said Cronulla were driving towards one aim, to finish their season. "It'd be outstanding to win a premiership. To be part of the first Sharks team to win a premiership you'd remember forever."
Coach Shane Flanagan has named a 19-man squad.
SHARKS
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird, Jeff Robson, Chris Heighington, Michael Ennis, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Paul Gallen (C).
Interchange: Matt Prior, Anthony Tupou, Tinirau Arona, Jayson Bukuya, Ben Barba (two to be omitted).
