The premiership-winning fullback was released by the Sharks in November following a second positive illicit drug test and sought treatment in a rehab facility in Thailand before re-signing with the Sharks this week for a year.

"At the moment he looks like he's in a good place," Lewis said. "He's a good person. He's got a big smile on his face. So I think he's in a good place and hopefully he can keep moving forward for himself, and we can get him back on the park and see him in the black, white and blue again."

Lewis was one of the heroes for the Sharks as they broke a 49-year drought to lift their maiden premiership in 2016 and says he has been impressed that the squad returned to pre-season training hungrier than ever.

"The hunger is a lot more," he said. "Every player has gained a lot more through their skill, their fitness, all the way down to their body composition. Everything has gotten better compared to where we were last year.

"We're training harder, and we all know we need to train harder, we need to lift our game and be better than we were last year."

While the Sharks may be raising the bar in training, Lewis is well aware they will have a big target on their back in 2017.

"It's all in the past now," he said of the premiership win. "We've got a big opportunity in front of us, and we know we need to be on our game because every team we play this year is obviously going to step up and try and put us off."

Not content with a Clive Churchill Medal and hero status in the Shire, Lewis is still eager to improve his own game this year while he mentors Cronulla's young talent.

"I want to be better than I was last year, that's my goal," he said. "I want to keep improving. I want to keep getting better. I don't want to go backwards. And at the same time if I can help out our young guys coming through and keep motivating these young kids in our side.

"I feel really good at training at the moment: I'm super motivated; I'm loving my footy; I'm loving the training. So this year, for me, I want to get out on the field and really enjoy my footy with the boys."

As the Sharks have lost Michael Ennis to retirement and are set to be without Barba until at least June as he serves his mandatory 12-week suspension, the young members of the squad are being forced to step up. And while those shoes are tough to fill, Lewis has been thrilled to watch the youngsters fight for the starting rake position.

"It's been different not having Mick [Ennis] around, but I suppose you could say it's been a breath of fresh air to have the young kids coming through and training really hard, ripping in and doing all that they can to fight for that spot," he said.

The Sharks have also signed journeyman Daniel Mortimer who, at 27, is at his fourth club. Lewis has been impressed by Mortimer's commitment and attitude, and is confident he can fulfil his potential in the Shire.

"He's been outstanding for us," Lewis said. "He's ripped into training from day one. Doesn't ask any questions, he just goes for it. He goes 100 miles an hour with everything he does.

"I think sometimes a change is as good as a holiday, and I think he's found himself right at home here. He's fitting in with the boys really well. I think he'll be a good little attribute for our team this year ... and hopefully can play his best footy."