Two years ago the Cronulla Sharks were a rabble.

They had their coach Shane Flanagan suspended for his involvement in an illegal supplements program. The interim coach, Peter Sharp, lasted just 17 rounds. And their second caretaker coach, James Shepherd, could do little to help the club avoid the wooden spoon.

Skipper Paul Gallen was resigned to finishing his career without a premiership.

Somehow, in the space of two years, the Sharks have turned it around and are now flying high on top of the ladder having won a club-record 13 consecutive games.

Their stunning turnaround has resulted in five NSW players for Origin three, a record for the club with Gallen set to lead Andrew Fifita, James Maloney, Jack Bird and debutant Wade Graham onto ANZ Stadium in his final game for the Blues on Wednesday night.

"We knew we had the players and the team so the challenge for us was keeping fit," Fifita said as he reflected on the nightmare of the 2014 season.

"Injuries prevented us in 2014 from really getting anywhere so it's been a massive turnaround for the club. They have brought in the right training staff  – Flanno had a big wipeout. In came a new recruitment staff and they have been really good for us.

"We never thought at the start of the year that there would be this many of us here. We knew Gal was going to make it, but we couldn't say the same for anyone else.

"I always thought Wado would be here eventually. just based on the past few years. He's dominated the back row and was always Origin bound.

"To have five guys in the team, it's an honour I guess. We already have a strong bond at Cronulla and if we can bring it to the Blues it's a massive opportunity for us."