Sharks interchange hooker Blayke Brailey admits it was initially difficult to launch his NRL career playing from the bench after forging a reputation for endurance in the lower grades.
Brailey has hit his stride recent weeks having adjusted to the hectic speed of the elite level and his new cameo role in the second half of matches.
It's a stark change for the composed 20-year-old, who almost always saw out the full game in the juniors and the NSW Cup last season.
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Except for two occasions this year where injuries led to him playing almost an hour, Brailey has been tasked with finishing off the final 25 minutes or so after replacing his brother Jayden at dummy-half.
He was somewhat unsettled to start with but now understands exactly what's required when he is injected into the action.
"The first few weeks I found it hard coming off the bench; I didn't really play too much off the bench coming up," Brailey told Sporting News.
"I slowly just got back into a rhythm and I just really know what to expect when I come on.
"It was a bit tough. You're sort of watching to see what they do but coming on is a bit different to what you see.
"You've just got to bring a bit more energy to the team so that's what I've been trying to do each week."
Brailey is careful not to overplay his hand once called on by coach John Morris but has made it his mission to spike Cronulla's intensity.
"We've got players in the team that can do the special stuff, so I just try to bring a bit of energy and lift the team's spirit a bit," he said.
The man Brailey usurped as Cronulla's bench rake this season, James Segeyaro, assisted with his development as a substitute.
Segeyaro signed to Brisbane last week after training with the Sharks since late February while playing for the Newtown Jets.
Brailey said he's taken attacking tips from the dynamic Segeyaro and wished him the best with the Broncos.
"I think just his flair [is what I've learned]. He's always dangerous with the ball; you never know what he's going to do," said Brailey, who inked a three-year extension with the Sharks last month.
"He has good shape on the ball. Definitely to keep on your toes and different things you can [use to] put the defence in two minds.
"He's been here training the house down so I can't wait to see him start up there."
This weekend's clash with Manly will mark Brailey's first Sunday afternoon NRL appearance in front of the parochial Cronulla crowd at PointsBet Stadium.
He's hoping for extremely warm conditions so the Sea Eagles' forwards fatigue quickly, allowing him to zip about and exploit any sluggish big men around the ruck.
"Hopefully it will be hot; the hotter the better for me, really. I can't wait and hopefully there's a big crowd down here," Brailey said.
"If it was 40 degrees, I'd pray for that. I just like the hot weather, it gets the middles moving a bit more and makes a bit more space for me."
To wind down away from football, Brailey revealed his Cronulla teammates engage in heated Monopoly cards battles.
And the players' competitive nature often boils over, leading to sneaky moves.
"You've got to watch Josh Morris, he cheats a bit," Brailey laughed.
"Actually, I got caught cheating last week as well so I got a three-match suspension.
"Josh is probably on top at the moment but they're his cards so he makes up the rules."