New reality arrives with an all-star cast for the Sharks

MEET the new reality show, The Shire. But unlike their TV counterparts, this cast boasts enormous credibility.

Chris Heighington, Luke Lewis, Beau Ryan and Michael Gordon

MEET the new reality show, The Shire. But unlike their TV counterparts, this cast boasts enormous credibility.

Test forward Luke Lewis, English international Chris Heighington, NSW Origin winger Michael Gordon and Wests Tigers' back of the year Beau Ryan headline a recruitment drive that will see Cronulla start next season as a genuine premiership heavyweights.

Arriving for their first day in Sharks colours on Friday, the quartet bring experience, class, toughness and attacking skill to a side on the rise.

After fighting their way into the finals in 2012, Cronulla are equal sixth at $11 to win next year's title.

But Ryan has issued a warning, knowing how expectation can strangle a side after five years and several failed finals campaigns at the Tigers.

"I don't really want to create much of a buzz, or favourites, that sort of thing," Ryan said.

"We had it last year at the Tigers and it doesn't work. I want to hopefully fly under the radar here.

"I didn't really read into it too much. Robbie (Farah) and a few people talked us up at the start of the year, which can be a good thing, obviously the bookies made us favourites.

"I just want to play semi-final football. There's a lot of great sides still in Sydney and again I think it's a bit of a benefit being out here away from the spotlight a little bit."

Beau Ryan

New second-rower Heighington was happy to talk about the potential of the Sharks after both he and Lewis declared they were in great shape. Heighington said he didn't need off-season surgery for a change, while Lewis said his recent thyroid cancer scare has not affected his off-season training.

"It only took me a couple of hours to make the decision to come here," Heighington said. "They're are a lot of talented players here, like at the Tigers.

"I've got three years here now and I'm going to give it my all."

With the new faces on board, the Sharks are looking to double their ticketed membership to 10,000 next year.

That comes hot on the heels of their first finals appearance since 2008.

New Sharks general manager Pat Woods, who joined Cronulla from the Queensland Reds, said the club's membership renewal is up an incredible 156 per cent on where they were this time last year.