KEEP that porch light on Cronulla fans. According to a former Sharks star no side has been given a bigger edge for 2016 due to the NRL’s off-season rule tweaks.

Ben Ross played a total of six seasons for the Sharks across two stints, finishing his career there in 2013.

Despite winning a premiership with Penrith early in his career, Ross can barely walk out of the house in retirement without copping a gag about Cronulla’s premiership duck, which now stretches across almost 50 years in top grade competition.

At a launch for the NRL’s new ball sponsor Schick Hydro on Wednesday, the gags were flying thick and fast again as Ross combined with former Sharks teammate Brett Kimmorley in a shaving challenge: “No wonder Cronulla never won a premiership,” Mal Meninga called out at one stage.

Round 19

If ever there was a year those gags could finally be put to bed it’s this one according to Ross who says the interchange dropping from 10 to eight suits Cronulla better than any other side.

Their tailor made forward pack for the change combined with a game breaking utility and an exciting new halves pairing is as good a formula as any for premiership success, Ross believes.

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“You look at the work horses, you’ve got Andrew Fifita who can play 80 minutes, Paul Gallen who can play 80 minutes, Luke Lewis, Chris Heighington, Wade Graham, you can name all these 80 minute players,” Ross tells foxsports.com.au.

“There’s only a few you look at who can’t play 80 minutes at the moment, like Sam Tagataese, but he can come on and give impact and break the line and run 100 metres — he’s an ex centre.

“So I think it’s really going to be exciting to see how the Sharks play at the start of the season.

“It would probably suit them even more if the interchange came down to six.”

While that further restriction is projected to happen in the next few years 2016 has a sense of urgency about it for the Sharks, with skipper Paul Gallen potentially preparing for his swan song with the club.

Cronulla’s forward pack is full of 80 minute players. Source: News Corp Australia

Sharks players have made a pact to win a title before Gallen is lost to them and Ross says that motivation could finally deliver the success so desperately craved by the fanbase.

“Knowing the Sharks I know they’re hungry and especially Gal, I know how Gal is and they want to band together for him,” Ross said.

“I believe they’ve got the team to do it, it’s just looking at injuries, they always seem to cop those one to two injuries that hampers their season, but they’re in good stead.”

While Cronulla’s forward pack has for the last couple of seasons had the experience and class to stamp them as genuine contenders, a sometimes limited backline has prevented them from taking that next step.

With two proven halves James Maloney and Chad Townsend recruited to take the wheel and the emergence of Jack Bird to ignite things from fullback, all of a sudden Cronulla have a more potent look about them.

While the combination developed by the new-look spine will be crucial, Ross nominates the performance of two other players as vital in 2016 if the Sharks are to go all the way; 2012 Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba and arguably the most damaging forward in the game, Andrew Fifita.

The new interchange rulle could play into Ben Barba’s hands. Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s crucial that Fifita is at his best,” Ross said.

“I was lucky that in his breakout season (2013) I got to play with him at the Sharks and he’s one guy that they always look to.

“I know he had an up and down season (in 2015) especially mentally, but I know that it’s something he’s worked on in the off-season.

“I know he’ll be the one to really make a difference for them in the forward pack and take the pressure off Gal.

“Like I said Gallen’s always been that metre eater and now it’s up to Fifita to take some of that pressure off.”

While Fifita needs to be a dominant presence up front, Ross sees Barba’s influence as the biggest key to cracking it for a premiership — whether that be as first-choice fullback or the most threatening utility in the competition coming off the bench.

“He’s one of the most elusive players I’ve ever seen,” Ross said.

“I know him personally and I think he’s in for one of his best seasons. I believe his best position is fullback and Birdy’s going pretty well back there looking at the trial form.

“They’ve got a number of options back there and I just know if Ben can find his form, he can be that real key.

“I think the interchange now could play into his hands and I believe he’s the key to getting them to the grand final.”