Ben Ross may be victim of Cronulla's forward depth

HE'S won a premiership, played State of Origin and confounded spinal surgeons to last year notch 150 first grade appearances.

HE'S won a premiership, played State of Origin and confounded spinal surgeons to last year notch 150 first grade appearances.

But thanks to Cronulla's unprecedented depth up front, Ben Ross concedes he's no certainty to land a gig in the NRL's hottest engine room this season.

With skipper Paul Gallen expected to spend plenty of time at prop following the recruitment of international back row pair Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington, Cronulla now boast seven bookends with enough experience to earn a start for most teams.

Also weighing up retirement at season's end, Ross yesterday predicted that the competition for spots during next month's trials would be intense.

"At this stage, I'm just looking forward to getting a position somewhere in the team," the 32-year-old said.

"It's that strong at the moment. We've probably got three forward packs that can play first grade, so there's going to be some interesting trial matches.

"It's going to be tough in there to find a job for the right people and get the right combinations. That's (coach) Shane (Flanagan's) job and it's also exciting because we've got so many different styles of player."

Ross's fairytale return from neck surgery suffered a blow at the very end of last season, when he was dropped just two hours before their semi-final loss to Canberra.

"It was very devastating for me, because you train and play all season to experience finals football," he said.

"Six weeks before that game I broke my hand and I kept playing with it.

"Flanno thought I wasn't playing my best footy and felt I needed one week off.

"That was Flanno's choice and I understand why.

"Sadly we didn't get another chance and it was tough to take because it had been four years since I last played finals footy.

"Now it's five."

Off-contract at the end of this year, Ross has already discussed his future with coach Flanagan.

Although he's had contingency talks with the NRL about post-career community and welfare work, Ross refuses to rule-out playing beyond 2013.

"We've agreed that the first six games of the season will really prove where I am at," Ross said. "At the moment, I still feel like I've got plenty of games in me.

"When I came back (from surgery), I wanted to make sure I had fun because I'd been given a second chance to play footy when no one expected me to walk again.

"As long as I'm still having fun and playing well enough, I'll keep playing.

"I've been having fun. The feeling in the club is great at the moment."