As Cameron McInnes closes the curtain in the final few weeks of his NRL career, the workhorse forward mounted a heap of praise for the football program Craig Fitzgibbon has created in the five seasons in the Shire.
Both Fitzgibbon and Cronulla Sharks co-skipper McInnes arrived at Cronulla at the end of 2021, ready for a fresh challenge and to make a significant impact on the club.
Since then, the Sharks haven't missed the finals once as they push for a premiership title for the first time in a decade.
McInnes will depart the NRL at season's end to take up a long-term deal at York City Knights in the English Super League.
Known for his tough work in the Sharks' engine room, McInnes pioneered the nimble and agile forward that is so prevalent in today's swiftly paced game.
He has built a reputation as a defensive anchor and a strong leader in the Sharks pack.
That influence is perfectly conveyed in his 81 tackles against the Penrith Panthers in 2023, setting the NRL record for most tackles in a match ever.
The former NSW Blues representative reflected on his time in the black, white and blue as his chapter closes in the Shire, praising the system built by Fitzgibbon since their arrival.
"It's been, by far, the most enjoyable part of my career, if not life," McInnes said of the club in the build-up to the Sharks' sudden-death final against the Sydney Roosters.
"The area's been great for the family and then being in finals every year I've been here and just challenged every single day.
"What I love about Fitzy and the program he's built is every day you come in, there's excitement to be here, but also you're not comfortable, and that's just a great place to be as an athlete.
"Every day, you've got to be on because there's young guys coming through that are really good and then it's such a high working environment, everybody's working hard, you don't want to be the one that's not doing that."
Despite the fact Saturday's sudden-death final could be McInnes' last game in the NRL, he has selflessly credited the entire club for the work they've done to push for a premiership title this year.
"At the end of the day, this team's so much bigger than what my career is, like everybody in this organisation has worked so hard," McInnes humbly declared.
"For our journey as a squad, five years, but then for other guys, (who've) been here longer, it's just as important for them.
"They'll be just as happy as I would be, so my personal situation, that's not really relevant."
The Sharks have had plenty of involvement in the finals in past seasons, but have failed to crack the big dance in years gone by.
McInnes is determined to turn those teachings into a push for the first weekend of October for a premiership title.
"We've had a bit of experience in this space now playing the first three rounds, not the big one," he said.
"So everyone's been through those experiences, doesn't mean it makes it any easier, but everyone knows what to expect.
"We know that when you do (make) top four and you get that win first, you go the easier route per se, but I've done it the hard way for the last couple of years and we're prepared to do it again."
The Sharks move into Week 2 of the finals with confidence after dismantling the Cowboys last weekend.
McInnes will start at lock in the do-or-die clash with the Roosters, kicking off at 7:50pm at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
