There's only a few days remaining until we finally get back on the paddock and start playing again and the atmosphere around our club is fantastic. The feeling among the boys is great but it extends further than just being excited about getting a game of footy again.

There is just so much optimism around the joint and it's all because of where the club is at and where we are heading.

For one thing, to be able to attract and sign a player of the calibre of Test backrower Tyson Frizell for next season because he wants to come here and win a premiership is an indication of the huge strides this club is making.

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So too being able to pick up an experienced player of the like of Andrew McCullough at short notice after we lost our number one hooker Jayden Brailey for the season.

Losing Brails was a huge blow - he was arguably our best player in the opening two rounds - so having Macca come in to ease the burden on guys likes Connor Watson and Chris Randall is a huge pick-up for us so late in the piece.

But just as important to where this club is going is the emergence of our young talent. Randy and Tex Hoy will debut for us on Sunday. That's a great reward for all the hard work they have been putting in.

Bradman Best is back on deck after surgery and has been great at training but so have all the other young blokes who are pushing us older fellas.

Pasami Saulo is a young prop who is still learning but he is a fantastic trainer, can run all day and just loves being out on the training paddock, soaking it all up. He's a quiet kid who just goes about his business and has been impressing everyone.

I know Ads [coach Adam O'Brien] is a big fan of Pasami and I've got no doubts he has a big career ahead of him if he continues to work as hard as he does. I just think all the elements are there for us to really build and keeping building to something really special.

It all starts again with Penrith this weekend.

We are under no illusions about how tough it's going to be. As confident as we are with how we have handled the shutdown and how good a shape we have come back in, the Panthers will be just as confident.

The loss of Nathan Cleary is a bonus for us but we won't have Kalyn Ponga either which I'm sure they are not unhappy about.

I'm like every fan out there - I can't wait for Sunday. Bring it on.

DRUG DRAMA

Shocked, saddened and just real disappointed.

That was my reaction to the news this week that young Sharks player Bronson Xerri had tested positive to steroids. I can't believe it, to be honest, given all the constant lecturing and education that every player is subjected to, that it's happened again.