Blayke Brailey has delivered a simple message to his team amid growing frustration around officiating, warning that refereeing decisions cannot be allowed to decide their fate as they prepare for a sudden-death finals clash.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been among the more vocal coaches in recent weeks, questioning the consistency of officiating following Sunday's loss to Melbourne, while veteran Cameron McInnes has also aired his frustrations.
But as the Sharks prepare for a knockout clash against the Cowboys on Saturday night, Brailey insists the players cannot afford to become consumed by the controversy.
“I think it's just in not overreacting or getting too fired up by a decision because at the end of the day it can't save you," he told Zero Tackle.
“I am not going to put a loss or a win on an officiating decision.
“Whatever we get or don't get, we just have to get on with the game. I am not going to leave it to chance and hope the referees can save us.”
It comes as the Sharks enter the finals under more pressure than they have faced in recent seasons.
For the first time in two years, Cronulla have missed the top four and will now have to win or see their season end against North Queensland.
It is a dramatic shift for a side that appeared to be a genuine top-four contender earlier in the season, only to lose four of its final five games despite a favourable run home.
Many have subsequently written the Sharks off, but Brailey believes their best football has not simply disappeared.
“We just need to get back to the way we know we can play; we had a patch there that proved we could be a top one or two team and you don't completely lose that in five weeks,” Brailey told Zero Tackle.
“Hopefully we can get that back and learn from those wins.
“Although the pressure has increased, and the stakes are high, which makes for a better footy game. I know myself and the team understand the situation we are in. One slip-up, one loss, you are out."
The Sharks will also have to overcome the disappointment of not playing their knockout final at Shark Park, with Allianz Stadium instead hosting Saturday night's clash.
Brailey admitted the decision was frustrating.
“Obviously disappointed and I want to play at our home ground in front of our home fans, hopefully they can turn out in numbers there and cheer us on,” Brailey said.
Adding to the occasion is the timing of the Sharks' finals campaign, coming exactly a decade after Cronulla claimed its maiden premiership.
The 2016 premiership-winning team was recently in attendance for the Sharks' final game of the regular season in the Shire, providing the current squad with a reminder of what is possible.
Brailey was a young fan when the Sharks broke through in 2016 and still remembers the impact it had on the local community.
“We are primed and ready to go. That 2016 year where Sharks won it, they went into the finals with a few losses too," he said.
"Hopefully we draw some strength from them and motivation and get some lessons too.
“That win was massive.
“I went down to Cronulla when they won and saw how excited the fans and the local community were. I want to be back there, I want to be a part of that team that wins the second one and bring that joy and excitement back to the shire.
“I was there, and it is hard to explain the impact it had on the locals.”
And while some players have voiced their frustration at the increased speed of the game following rule changes this season, Brailey is more than happy to embrace it.
For a dummy-half who thrives on running, the faster pace could play into his hands as the Cowboys begin to tire.
“It's exciting; it could make our game faster, better, more entertaining," Brailey shared.
“I do (like it faster); I like a faster game and more running. Some of the bigger boys probably don't, which makes my game more enjoyable, where I can run when they are tired, so if they want to make it faster, I am all on board."
With the referee debate continuing to swirl around the Sharks, Brailey's message is clear, Cronulla cannot control the decisions that will come their way on Saturday.
They can, however, control how they respond to them.
