Cronulla skipper Wade Graham believes Josh Dugan and Josh Morris are professional enough to cast aside contract dramas and deliver for the Sharks in 2020.
Dugan and Morris have been the subjects of intense scrutiny in recent weeks with both former Test centres linked to moves elsewhere following the off-season arrival of Jesse Ramien from the Knights.
With young guns Ramien and Bronson Xerri tipped to start round one in the centres, Dugan was told he could leave the club if he found a new deal however Morris was denied a request for a release to join twin brother Brett at the Sydney Roosters.
The "who will stay, who will go" drama has created a world of confusion at the Sharks, but the new skipper believes both veterans can put the off-field uncertainty aside.
For Morris, that will mean a positional swap to fullback and Graham believes that plan can pay dividends for the Sharks.
"He is a weapon anywhere he plays, he is a good player," Graham said.
"I don't know how long he has played, 12, 13 or 14 seasons, he has always been a good player no matter where he is and he is very valuable to us.
"Yeah I feel comfortable with him [staying at the club] ... he will reach 300 games this year so that doesn't occur by fluke, he certainly knows what it takes to prepare and focus on the job at hand.
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"I think now that the club has been pretty strong in the way they've handled the situation hopefully we can all move on now and look forward to the season because as I said before, pretty soon it will be upon us. We're almost there."
Ramien will get the first chance to state his case for the permanent centre spot when he runs out for the NRL Indigenous All Stars alongside Graham at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old hasn't played since his dispute with Newcastle coach Nathan Brown last season saw him leave the club on August 1, and he wants to use the clash with the Maori All Stars as a springboard into 2020.
Ramien hopes a strong showing on the Gold Coast this week can set him up for the inside running for a starting spot in round one.
"We've just been mixing it up [at training]. I've done a bit of left and a bit of right. I think Bomber [coach John Morris] is probably going to have a tough decision to make come round one because all the outside backs are pushing for them starting spots," Ramien said.
"I normally play right [side] but coming through the juniors I was a left centre so I don't have a preference.
"It's been a pretty good preseason for myself. It's been long actually, really long. Obviously the stuff happened with Newcastle and it's been a bit long since I've played [a game] but I'm looking forward to it.
"It's going to be a good first hit out here before I get back in Sharkies colours."
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The big question marks for the Sharks are where Matt Moylan and Dugan fit into the backline plans if everyone is fully fit.
If Moylan is fullback, where does that leave Morris? Could the Sharks have both former Test centres Morris and Dugan playing reserve grade behind Xerri and Ramien?
Graham has seen the best of Dugan and still believes the former NSW Origin teammate can rediscover his health and form at some stage in 2020.
"I've been through enough dramas throughout my career to know just get on with my job," Graham said.
"It's not ideal the situation what [Dugan] is going through at the moment, he is doing his best to work out that knee issue and get back on track.
"No question about his playing ability, he has done it for a number of years at every level so there is no question there. He is just struggling with that knee at the moment and working what the right plan of action is."
