Sharks legend backs Cronulla's bid for 'lunatic' Panther

Under Craig Fitzgibbon, Cronulla have finished in the top eight in all five of his seasons in charge.

But despite their continued success in the home and away season, the Sharks have been unable to progress into the Grand Final.

With a lack of premiership experience on their roster, Cronulla legend Mat Rogers believes the side should chase after Penrith’s Liam Martin to help get over the hump.

The Panthers have a host of star players coming out of contract next season, including the likes of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Isaiah Papali’I, Moses Leota alongside Martin that will hit the open market when November 1 comes around.

Having won four premierships alongside team accolades with NSW and Australia, he has proven himself as one of the competition’s premier second rowers, having scored eight tries alongside seven line breaks

With existing second rowers Teig Wilton and Queensland representative Briton Nikora coming out of contract with Cronulla in 2027, it does open a door for the club to make a play for the 29-year-old.

And with Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes being the only players to have won a premiership within their squad, the 123-game player for the Sharks thinks Martin would add a point of difference to the side.

“I remember going to the Grand Final breakfast in 2016,” Rogers said on SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.

“Shane Flanagan got up on stage, and he talked about the team he was coaching that ended up winning the comp, and he said they're a bunch of lunatics.

“But they love each other and you need to be a lunatic when you play this game and Liam Martin's a lunatic.

“We saw what he did in Game Three of Origin, and I don't think they've got one, Cronulla.

“They're all just good blokes. They've let some people go; there's a lot of people moving on.

“I think it'd be a great acquisition for the Sharks.”

Joel Caine shared a similar sentiment, noting the 2016 Premiership squad have title winners in their side helping provide experience during the pointy end of the year.

“That 2016 premiership side, they had the dash of lunatic, but they had Luke Lewis who'd won a comp,” he explained.

“James Maloney certainly had, and Chris Harrington was another one.

“So maybe you do need somebody who knows (how to win a premiership).”