A new look Cronulla Sharks team will be looking to do one better in 2022 after narrowly missing out on finals last year.
The Sharks were one of the big winners in the off-season, acquiring the services of Nicho Hynes, Dale Finucane and Cameron McInnes on long-term deals.
New head coach Craig Fitzgibbon has said that despite the key recruits, the focus will be on forging an identity over any on-field success.
“The expectation (to make finals), that will not be in control of us, that will be external (pressure),” Fitzgibbon said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“We’ve got our own expectations.
“The Sharks were underpinned in 2016 when they won the premiership by grit and determination.
“I also want to make sure that the talents and skills that we do have flourish.
“I’m really excited to find out (where that takes us).
“I’m really excited by what I’ve seen so far.”
Fitzgibbon says the mood around the team is incredibly positive and the entire squad is excited for pre-season to conclude and the matches to finally begin.
“Everyone is excited about coming back here to play,” Fitzgibbon added.
“We feel like we have had a good pre-season and there’s just a general buzz about coming back.”
Fitzgibbon was an assistant coach to Trent Robinson for the Sydney Roosters.
During his tenure, Fitzgibbon won three premierships in 2013, 2018 and 2019.
He says that he was encouraged by Robinson to take on the head coaching role at Cronulla.
“(Trent) was always very open with the challenges of his own role,” he said.
“I still talk to him once a week and once a fortnight and he’s been nothing other than supportive.
“He’s a great mate.”
The Sharks will take on the Canberra Raiders in the opening round of the 2022 NRL season.
“The club is very stable at the moment and we are trending in the right direction,” he added.