Jon Green is not a blockbusting player or a household name, but the Sharks recruit is happy to be the quiet achiever for a new-look Cronulla outfit hoping to storm back into finals contention in 2012.
The former St George Illawarra prop played four seasons at the Dragons – including 19 games in their 2010 Premiership winning season, 15 starting on the bench – but the 26-year-old couldn’t have been happier with his involvement.
After 57 NRL games in six years, Green has become very comfortable in himself as a footballer.
To Green, it doesn’t matter if he starts or comes off the bench, it is all about doing his role.
“The four years I was at the Dragons, I wasn’t a big improver, I just consistently kept doing my job,” Green told NRL.com.
“That is the kind of player I am. I’m not a blockbusting player; I just do my job and if I can keep doing that and consistently get better, I’ll be happy with that.
“I don’t mind coming off the bench, I still get my 40 minutes out. I just enjoy being in the first grade team. I think I do my job when I come off the bench, whatever job Flanno (Coach Shane Flanagan) wants me to do, I’ll do it.”
Green still lives in Wollongong after his four years at the Dragons and makes the trip up the Princes Highway with teammate Jeremy Smith every day to training.
While the transition and travel was tough at first, Green now feels right at home and is ready to help push the Sharks towards a finals berth.
“Before Christmas I was finding it a bit hard,” he said.
“I’m really happy with what I achieved at the Dragons, it was a good four years down there.
“I’m just trying to improve and get better as a person and a player. Hopefully I can make an impact at the Sharks.
“It would be pretty disappointing if we don’t make the eight. We will be striving pretty high.”
