IN an attempt to win their second Group Seven premiership in three seasons, Shellharbour has significantly strengthened their side.
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From the returning Brad Chapman and Hans Schuster to new additions James Rousell, Manu Enese and Daniel Bogolin, the Sharks look set to celebrate their 100th season in style.
Of all them, the one recruit that's creating the most buzz is former Cootamundra Bulldog Matt Forsyth.
During his time in Group Nine, Forsyth, who started playing with the club at age four, played more than 160 senior games in the blue and white.
"I won under 16s and 18s premierships in back-to-back seasons earlier in my career, before playing in plenty of finals games during my first few years of grade footy.
"Obviously the past six seasons have been a little tougher, including last year where I was captain/coach.
"But that experience, along with coaching junior teams since 2010, has developed me as a footballer, which I hope can be an asset to my new club Shellharbour."
As his partner, who is from Gundagai, has been studying at the University of Wollongong the past two years, Forsyth has been forced to do a long-distance relationship.
But instead of forcing Julia Hay to return out west, the now 28-year-old 'bit the bullet' and decided to move to the coast in October.
"Moving to the South Coast has been the best thing I've done - I love it here," he said.
Once he decided to make the move, Forsyth contacted a former rival Abe Atallah, who used to play for Harden in Group Nine.
"I'd heard really positive things about the Sharks club and got in contact with Abe to see if he and his brother Abed were still involved," Forsyth said.
"I eventually got talking to Abed and the next time I was on the South Coast, he showed be around the club's facilities and explained its proud history - it was all very impressive, especially for a country footy club.
"I actually watched them play twice last year too and thought their approach to rugby league was very similar to mine - it was from that point, I knew I wanted to be a part of the Ron Costello Oval-based club."
Soon after his arrival, Forsyth started pre-season with his new club.
"Right from the start of pre-season, which was one of my toughest to date, Abed set the tone about make amends for last season - the way the season ended in 2019 still hurts for a lot of the boys," the former Riverina representative said.
"Everyone is determined to get back to the top and make the club's 100th season one to remember.
"You can just see that from their approach to training - there's no-nonsense and everyone is locked in.
"At first, I didn't know too many of the boys there but that quickly changed and we are all one big family now - I love the vibe around the club.
"In all seriousness, I see a lot of similarities between Abed and my former coach Glen Buttriss (who played 119 games for the Canberra Raiders), which has made my transition a little easier.
"They both have great footy brains and structures in place and know how to get the best out of their players."
In previous years, Forsyth has played in the halves but with skipper Matt Carroll and Group 11 product Nick Greenhalgh the incumbents there, he has been forced to embrace a change.
"During the pre-season and our one trial match, I spent time at fullback and centre, which I thoroughly enjoyed," he said.
"Out west, you play a lot of what's in front of you but here, the speed of the game is at another level - especially around the ruck and wrestle.
"It's taken a little time to adjust but there are also aspects and strengths I've brought to the squad too - it's been great sharing ideas with everyone.
"As one of the more experienced guys in the team, I hope to bring different knowledge and a level of consistency that can help get the Sharks back to where they deserve to be, which is the top.
"I can't wait to get out there with my new teammates and work towards our common goal."