After helping break South Sydney's premiership drought last year, Michael Maguire says he feels a kinship with Cronulla and hopes they can shatter their NRL title hoodoo.
Minutes after the Sharks knocked out the Rabbitohs with an 28-12 elimination final win at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, the Souths coach took the unusual step of throwing his support behind Shane Flanagan's team.
"I really hope they go on and win the grand final to be honest," Maguire said.
"I see a club that hasn't had a taste of what we were lucky enough to have last year.
"It's not through luck, it's through hard work.
"Sitting there watching their fans and how they are seeing their team aspire to dream, I really hope they go on and take that opportunity.
"What they've been through, so see that club get back to have an opportunity like we had last year, good on them."
After advancing to a do-or-die semi-final clash with North Queensland in Townsville, the Sharks' fans are daring to dream about their elusive first title since entering the competition in 1967.
The Rabbitohs' grand final win last year prompted emotional scenes and dancing in the streets of Redfern as they claimed their first title in 43 years.
Maguire said Cronulla's thirst for a title reminded him of the feeling within his 2014 side and he would be rooting for them in the final three weeks.
"We had a lot of chatter last year about could the club do it or not do it," Maguire said.
"I see Cronulla has a fair bit of belief there amongst their players. It would be great to see a club like that go on and do something special."
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