Luke Lewis says the inspiration of the makeshift Cronulla side who almost pulled off one of the biggest boilovers in NRL history can be a catalyst for lifting the beleaguered club from the doldrums.

Hard-hit by doping bans and injury, a never-say-die Sharks team containing seven players with just 10 first grade appearances between them made a huge impression when they only lost 21-20 in golden point to star-studded North Queensland in Townsville on Monday.

Bookies had given the Sharks an enormous +30.5 start to win the game – the biggest to any side since 1999 – and they were only denied by a field goal from Johnathan Thurston in the extra period.

Lewis, who missed the game due a hamstring and knee problems, said on Thursday the performance of a team rated as no-hopers lifted the whole club in a season that has lurched for one crisis to another.

“It was awesome to sit back as a player and watch the boys, the way they have come together and then played so well on Monday night,” Lewis said.

“There were guys who played probably three or four first grade games and they were coming up against a North Queensland side that have won eight or nine on the trot up there.

“I think we are certainly going to be a lot better for it next year.”

As a club the Sharks are no strangers to dramas but 2014 has been particularly taxing with coach Shane Flanagan suspended by the NRL for a year due to the club’s governance issue under his watch in the 2011 season.

Reluctant stand-in coach Peter Sharp quit mid-season leaving rookie under-20s coach James Shepherd to take the reins.

Skipper Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, John Morris, Wade Graham and Anthony Tupou were then suspended following the long-running ASADA probe.

“I haven’t experienced a season like it,” Lewis said.

“I think you have to go through tough times to enjoy the good times. But the good times are ahead.”