Cronulla youngster Fa’amanu Brown is the forgotten man at the Sharks after Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes helped steer The Shire club into the playoffs last year. Brown on the other hand was forced to watch on from the sidelines after an ACL injury at the Auckland Nines ruined his 2015 season.
“It was bloody tough and I was definitely jealous over the first few months,” Brown said.
“But once I was able to get back onto the training paddock I actually just thought we only have one job to do and that’s to make the finals and win the premiership.
“For me it quickly became about me controlling what I could do which was making sure I was right for when I was fully fit.
“My attitude has definitely changed which has put me in good stead for 2016.
“I still have to shift my character over the coming months because it’s been a year being in the gym without the boys but it’s helped me becoming heaps more focused more than anything.
“When I first did my ACL at the Nines, Micky Ennis called me straight away and it was sort of sent really positive vibes from the first moments after it happened so I’ve been lucky to have the boys here.
“It has in a way been worth it and I’ve learnt a lot personally. I’ll definitely be mentally stronger this year.”