Sharks a premiership threat?

Legendary coach Jack Gibson once said that waiting for Cronulla to win the premiership was like leaving the porch light on for Harold Holt.

Harry ain't coming home anytime soon but there is cause for optimism among Sharks fans daring to dream about the possibility the premiership crown might finally rest in The Shire after a 41-year wait.

Ricky Stuart's side sits equal first with nine rounds remaining and has a reasonable run home (including six home games).

After a cleaning out process in his first year at the club, Stuart has hand-crafted a team that, while not flashy, plays committed and mistake-free football each and every week.

The Sharkies are winning the close contests, willing to wait until the 80th minute if necessary to strangle the life out of the opposition.

A tough pack of hombres, led by Greg Bird and Paul Gallen, is complemented by a skilful and diligent halves pairing in Brett Kimmorley and Brett Seymour.

Outside them is an ever-improving and under-rated backline, with the side's x-factor Brett Kearney providing the spark at No.1.

The coach, well, he's a born winner and has instilled that same never-say-die attitude in his players.

The Sharks finally have some backbone.

It's a team capable of winning the competition, but Cronulla fans won't want to hear that after four decades of false dawns.

They've watched on as teams who joined the competition at the same time or much later - Penrith, Canberra, Brisbane, Newcastle, Melbourne and Wests Tigers - went on victory laps on grand final day.

It's not as if Cronulla hasn't had teams capable of winning titles.

But when the going got tough, the Sharks rarely got going.

In the big games, they wilted quicker than Andrew Ettingshausen in that famous dressing room photo.

Their history is littered with so near, yet so far stories.

Two years ago they started July in third spot and didn't win another game.

Somewhat cruelly, opposition fans have labelled them the 'new North Sydney'.

It's hard to mount a case for the defence.

You have to go way back to 1978 for Cronulla's last appearance in a grand final (we refuse to accept the '97 Super League decider was a genuine title showdown).

Thirty years ago they were beaten in a replay by Manly - the club they face on Saturday night in arguably their biggest test of credibility this season.

Cronulla must aim up against the Sea Eagles in the top-of-the-table clash if it's to convince the right people it has what it takes to make a noise this year.

They then must go on with the job and make the top four - no late season stumbles, no stage fright and no excuses.

Maybe then we'll see Harold staggering up the front steps.