Sharks halfback Jeff Robson is treating every game as if it could be his last in Cronulla colours – but not as if it will be his last in the NRL.
The 33-year-old is confident he has one more good season left in him, but is not looking to play on past 2016.
The underrated playmaker is still unsigned for next year and faces a battle for starting spots in the shire with Roosters premiership-winner James Maloney joining the roster and former Shark Chad Townsend heading back to the club from the Warriors.
Robson's manager Gavin Orr is in negotiations with the Sharks now and hopes to have something sorted sooner rather than later so it's not dragging on through what he hopes is another three weeks of the season.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure at the moment [what's happening next year]. I'm in negotiations with the club and hoping to sort something out sooner rather than later," Robson said.
"My manager's doing all the work there, I'm just hoping to get something sorted so it's not leading into weeks to come, it could be into the grand final type thing. I'd prefer to get it done sooner rather than later."
Despite most clubs having seemingly settled on their halves for next season, Robson had no doubts he would be playing NRL next year, and while his preference was to stay at Cronulla he is prepared to leave to make it happen.
"Obviously I will still be playing next year, whether it be here or somewhere else but I'm treating every game like it could be my last at the Sharks. I hope it's not but that's the way I'm treating it," he said.
"I only want to play for one more year. I'm getting a bit older now, I think I've got one year of good footy left in me. Hopefully I can stay here at the Sharks."
Robson's more immediate challenge is extending Cronulla playing future by another week when the Sharks travel to Townsville and he faces off against the best No.7 in the game in Johnathan Thurston.
"He's a quality footballer and someone we're really going to have to do our homework on this week," Robson said of Thurston.
"Also Lachlan Coote and [Michael] Morgan are quality players and have been all season so they're definitely guys that we have to watch."
Robson said Cronulla's aim will to be to win the ruck in the middle of the field to cut down the time and space those key playmakers have.
"That will be our first goal and [that] nullifies what Thurston and Morgan and Coote can do off the back of it. We definitely have to defend well and win the ruck, that will be our main goal," he said.
