Thursday, 20 September 2018:

JOSH DUGAN of the Dragons is tackled during the NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights at UOW Jubilee Oval in Sydney, Australia.

Under a different coach and in different circumstances, Jesse Ramien's NRL season at Cronulla could have played out very differently after signing with Newcastle for next year in February.

A one-game rookie coming into 2018, Ramien opted to sign with the Knights on a two-year deal - seeking an opportunity on their up-and-coming roster and fearing he'd likely be behind Josh Dugan and Ricky Leutele long-term at the Sharks.

Given his inexperience and the fact the youngster won't be at the Sharks next year, coach Shane Flanagan could have followed in the footsteps of other clubs in recent years and not played the 21-year-old.

But instead, Ramien has the chance to push for a grand final appearance against Melbourne on Friday night in his first full NRL season.

"When I signed I sat down with Flanno, before I signed (with Newcastle) I told him what I was thinking," Ramien told AAP.

"He was very understanding of it. We just had a talk.

"I just let him know that if my time comes I was ready to do a job and I was 100 per cent committed to this club this year.

"If he was to play me or not to play me, no matter what decision he makes, that it's the right decision for the team."

Playing Ramien has turned out to be the right decision for the Sharks.

The powerful centre has busted through 50 tackles and scored 10 tries in 19 games this year to announce himself on the big stage.

Recruited out of Manly's under-20s system in mid-2016, Ramien has since played for the Junior Kangaroos while being named in last year's under-20s team of the competition.

And now he wants to help repay the Sharks with the ultimate reward.

"For Flanno to give me my crack at NRL this year and to have the belief to put me in the centres, it just shows massive confidence in me," Ramien said.

"They've been a massive part of my career.

"I would love to repay him and the club by winning a premiership for them this year or even get to a grand final would be massive."

AAP