Billy Slater says it will take more than one star recruit to lift Cronulla to being a genuine NRL premiership contender this year.
The Sharks impressed many observers during a 28-22 loss to four-time reigning premiers Penrith on Sunday in Las Vegas.
And while they almost got the chocolates against the best team in the business, the result only reinforced a longheld criticism of the Shire men.
In recent years the Sharks have been able to beat pretty much everyone beneath them on the ladder, but find it almost impossible to knock off fellow top-four outfits.
Since winning their only NRL title in 2016, the team has missed finals only once, finishing ninth in 2021.
Nicho Hynes of the Sharks passes the ball. Getty
And while they've been consistently good, the current crop are yet to reach a grand final, let alone win one.
Gun recruit Addin Fonua-Blake scored a crucial try on Sunday and was one of Cronulla's best players.
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But when asked if the addition of the hulking Tongan can prove the missing piece in Cronulla's premiership puzzle, Slater said it isn't Fonua-Blake who holds the key.
"I think it can help them, but every other individual in that team needs to stand up and look to be a premiership player," he told Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.
"That's where the Sharks need to get to. They are a consistent team, and they are a top-four team at the moment – but that's it.
"They haven't played in a grand final for eight years, I don't think any of the current players in this Sharks team played in that grand final.
"Addin Fonua-Blake is certainly going to instill some confidence in every one of them, but he's also going to bring… we saw yesterday when the game was on the line and the Sharks needed something, he provided a bit of spark.
"Everyone else has got to really lift and take the team to that next level, a bit like Nathan Cleary did yesterday, like Isaah Yeo did… that energy for long periods of time, and the class on the top of it to execute some plays.
"I think that's where the Sharks need to grow, and they've got the potential to do that.
"They've got the quality of player to take that next step and make the grand final."
Cronulla's halfback Nicho Hynes is earning upwards of $1 million a season, but has been criticised for going missing in big moments too often.
In contrast, Penrith superstar No.7 Cleary stood tall when the game was on the line on Sunday and orchestrated victory, as he has done countless times in recent years.
The Sharks next face North Queensland on March 15.