“I’m definitely there for two years,” Xerri told the Herald. “I’m just focusing on myself and hopefully winning a premiership, that’s my goal. “I’m signed for two years. I’ll just focus on the Cronulla Sharks. Whatever the future holds, the future will hold. I’m just worrying about now. I want to have the best season I can this year, achieve whatever I can achieve and keep growing as a player. “I will let my manager look after all that stuff, I just want to focus on getting my shoulder right and playing the best footy I can. I’m not too fussed about all that.” While Xerri was flattered by the interest in him so early in his career, he said at this stage he would hold off making a long-term commitment. “Five years, the coach told me his goal is for me to be a one-club player, to be there for as long as I can,” Xerri said of the deal Cronulla coach John Morris attempted to broker.

“That’s great to hear, but I’ve signed for two years. I’ll just worry about those two years and whatever comes after that comes after that. For now, I’m just focusing on 2020.” The Sharks have a glut of outside backs on their books but injuries could result in several of them being unavailable for the start of the NRL season. Josh Dugan is battling a knee injury, Matt Moylan has hamstring issues and Xerri is racing the clock to recover from shoulder surgery in time for the season opener against Wests Tigers. “I’ve got to do a few shoulder-strength tests and if I pass that I’ll be ready for round one,” Xerri said. “There’s no rush, but I’d like to be playing in round one.” Xerri is already one of the fastest outside backs in the game, but could be quicker still in 2020. The teenager recently began working with renowned speed coach Roger Fabri in a bid to overhaul his running technique. “The clock doesn’t lie and this guy is running, hand-held, 6.5 seconds over 60 metres,” Fabri said. “That would be up there with the quickest - if not the quickest - 60 seconds that I’ve had from any footballer this offseason.