Less than two years ago Jack Bird wasn’t even a first grade footballer.
The then 19-year-old was just another talented young player, hopeful of cracking the big time at an NRL club.
An off-season switch from the Wollongong boy’s hometown club St George Illawarra to Cronulla was the chance he needed – and one he has taken.
It only took until round four of last season for coach Shane Flanagan to give him his shot in first grade. And Bird hasn’t looked back.
Bird has gone on to form one of the deadliest right-side attacking combinations in the competition alongside another of the club’s young superstars Valentine Holmes and mercurial fullback Ben Barba.
Now, the versatile 21-year-old is a State of Origin player, a NSW Country representative and on Sunday he will run out in his first grand final against Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.
“Two years ago I hadn’t played a game of first grade. It was my first year here and I was obviously leaving my home town [club] in the Dragons,” he said.
“I had to make some big changes to come up here and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t really describe how much it means to me. Especially with the bunch of boys here.
“They’re brothers to me. I didn't think I was going to be playing Origin at this time of my career and obviously making a grand final.
“The boys are right behind me. I think we can do it.”
Part of Cronulla’s spirit this season has been the bond between the team and the fans.
As the Sharks went on their 15-game club-record winning-streak this season the atmosphere at Southern Cross Group Stadium became more and more intense as Cronulla began to embrace their success.
The Sharks lost just one game at home this season, their winning run including a hard-fought 14-6 victory over their grand final opponents Melbourne.
It is that bond that Bird thinks will help get Cronulla across the line on Sunday.
“It was crazy. When we left Cronulla Leagues [before the preliminary final against North Queensland] there were a lot of fans there and about 10 or 15 buses waiting at the front and I’m pretty sure there were a heap of buses already at the ground,” he said.
“Hopefully it’s going to be even bigger next week. I think that’s really what got us home, the fans. Their support all year has been outstanding and hopefully we get to see a lot of black, white and blue at the big one.
“It’s a good feeling, it’ll be even better if we win next week.”