Valentine Holmes has matured to the point where he can now lead Cronulla's premiership assault from the back, according to Sharks coach Shane Flanagan
Flanagan confirmed this week that Holmes would retain Cronulla's No.1 jersey when Josh Dugan returns from a leg injury in the centres shortly.
But with the Sharks poised to fly from under the radar and make a serious bid for a top-four spot over the final rounds, Flanagan has seen a change in Holmes since he first moved him from fullback to wing to accommodate Dugan at the start of the season.
"He's come out the other end playing really well at the moment," Flanagan said.
"He's playing better now and the maturity that's come with Val has been the biggest improvement.
"Not his football, just understanding what he has to do to be a fullback in the NRL. The penny has dropped."
Dugan is due back as soon as next week against Brisbane, although Flanagan may opt to hold him a further 10 days to face Manly on August 5.
Holmes has been exceptional at the back during Dugan's absence.
Combined with four tries in three State of Origins on the wing for Queensland, he's crossed six times in his past six games wearing the Sharks' No.1 jersey.
"He's one of those players that when he is in good form he's in really good form," Flanagan said.
"And coming out of the Origin series, even though Queensland lost the series, Val came out of it pretty chuffed with himself and the way he played.
"The players know if they perform well they will keep their position. If they don't perform well someone will come and get it."
Cronulla have largely been forgotten about in premiership talk this year but they stand poised to strike in sixth, just two points behind second-placed Melbourne.
Before Friday's home clash with Canberra they have won nine of their past 11 and have just two games of their remaining games against top-eight sides with a number of stars returning fresh from injuries.
"The club and team believe we're a top four team but there's no use believing that if you can't put it into action," Flanagan said.
"We haven't been spoken about a lot because we haven't shot the lights out as yet.
"We've had moments and halves and the game here and there where we've played really well and haven't put a score on.
"But we haven't done it week after week and that's what we need to do over the next block of football."
STATS THAT MATTER
* The away team has won the past 10 Cronulla-Canberra matches.
* Both teams are aiming for a third straight win.
* Holmes has scored in five of his past six games against Canberra.
* Stats: Fox Sports Stats
