Braden Hamlin-Uele says Cronulla have set the bar for their 2023 campaign as he urged them to use their gutsy win over the Sydney Roosters as a springboard to get their NRL premiership tilt back on track.
After finishing behind Penrith in the race for last year's minor premiership, the Sharks have endured a 3-3 start to Craig Fitzgibbon's second season in the Shire.
The low point of a chequered form line was undoubtedly the round five loss to the Warriors, where Cronulla threw away a 20-point lead to lose 32-30.
Hamlin-Uele says that defeat was a reality check that reminded the Sharks that they were going to have to fight for their wins in 2023.
"As a team, we were shattered by it, that (the Warriors loss) was embarrassing," Hamlin-Uele told AAP.
"Personally, I don't think I've ever felt that low after a game.
"Our lack of resilience was the most alarming thing.
"The crux of our team hasn't changed ... we might have been resting on our laurels from what happened last year, it's a new year and we've got to turn around and start again."
Cronulla had the best part of a fortnight to stew on that Warriors loss before defeating the Roosters without lock Dale Finucane (suspension) and prop Toby Rudolf, who has been sidelined by a toe injury.
Finucane will be back in round 10 after serving a ban for a hip-drop tackle, while Rudolf is not due to return until July.
The Sharks face Canterbury and North Queensland over the next fortnight and Hamlin-Uele was aware he would need to spearhead their forward pack a little longer.
"I do talk a lot more these days but I like to go out there and let my actions speak for me," he said.
"I'll give my two cents where I think I can add some value to the team.
"Toby is so valuable to use and he does so much dirty work, that it's actually disgusting.
"He's the epitome of service over self which is what we want to portray at this club.
"We know with those two out, we have to look in the mirror and step up and emulate what they bring."
