Looming departure fuelling McInnes' premiership push
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Cronulla co-captain Cameron McInnes has opened up on the difficult decision to depart the Sharks at season's end as he looks to lead the club to a premiership before bidding farewell.
The lock confirmed his future earlier this week, informing his teammates that he will be moving on after five seasons in the Shire.
McInnes made his debut for the Rabbitohs in 2014 but did not play in the grand final and is yet to taste premiership glory.
Rise and grind: The hard work of Cam McInnes
A title remains one of the last boxes left to tick for the hard-nosed forward and it is motivating him through his final season at Cronulla.
"It will be my last year at the Sharks," McInnes said. "I want to repay what the club's given me.
"That doesn't mean I need to try be a hero but just turn up every day and give the best account of myself, doing the best I can on the field and be a good person around the joint. That's what I've been doing and I want to enjoy this year."
Match: Sharks v Sea Eagles
Round 13 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
4th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
McInnes will play his 100th game for the Sharks when they host Manly on Friday night.
Origin stars Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake look set to back up, however Maroons forward Briton Nikora and centre KL Iro dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update. The Sea Eagles will be without Blues pair Tolu Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu after a brutal series opener on Wednesday night.
Cronulla are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their 2016 grand final win over Melbourne, with a number of events building up to a reunion at their Round 27 clash with the Storm. The Sharks will give one lucky fan the chance to share in the experience as part of the celebrations.
Iconic speeches: 'Turn your porch lights off'
Representative forward Luke Lewis played a key role in the premiership a decade ago and said McInnes can have a similar influence on the current side's quest for a title.
"He's a great leader," Lewis said. "The club loves him, the players love him and ever since he's come to the club he's been instrumental for the young kids.
"He's come through a lot of injuries, he's had two knee reconstructions and his rehabilitation is second to none. I've never seen someone come back so strong and he's shown all these kids how to be professional.
"To send him out as a grand final winner at the Sharks would be pretty special and it'll be nothing better than doing it on a 10-year anniversary. Every time I watch them play I've got my fingers crossed and hope they get the win."
McInnes isn't the only big name to confirm his departure this week, with outside backs Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa signing with the Cowboys.
Already six players have announced they will be leaving the club at the end of the season as the campaign takes on a Last Dance atmosphere for a team that has made the preliminary final in two-straight seasons but fallen short of the decider.
Cameron McInnes Try
Given how long the current squad has been together, prop Tom Hazelton said it's not hard to find additional motivation to taste premiership success before a changing of the guard.
"Cam is the heart and soul of our team and our forward pack," Hazelton said. "We've had some good leaders leave over the last few years with Dale [Finucane] and Wade [Graham] and he's really stepped up and taken that head on.
"It's a great opportunity for him over there, it's good stability for him and his young family and I'm sure he'll enjoy it, but we're going to miss him.
"He's going to give every last drop that he has for this club to succeed this year and it's only just that we're paying him back by doing the same."
