Not many NRL players would say joining the current Cronulla side was a great career move, but reformed bad boy Tim Smith believes it's the best decision he's made.

Smith walked away from Brisbane's feeder club Easts Tigers last month to join the Sharks despite the chance to a return to the NRL through the Broncos.

The 25-year-old joined a Sharks side which was lingering at the bottom of the ladder and facing a record 14-straight losses - but he couldn't be happier with his decision.

"I'm glad I did what I did," he said.

"I don't think any player in my situation probably wouldn't have done the same thing.

"They've got two very established halves there (at Brisbane) and the only way I was going to get into the side was probably through injury."

After ending a 13-game losing streak two weeks ago by beating Parramatta 11-0, the Sharks were then completely outplayed by Manly 40-12.

Smith agreed with coach Ricky Stuart who said the team had put in a disappointing performance against the Sea Eagles and thrown in the towel.

He said Stuart was "right most of the time" and none of the players took offence to the critique.

"We're all grown men, we're not playing netball," Smith said.

"If we can go out there and work for the 80 minutes the games are going to be a lot closer than it was."

The 2005 Rookie of the Year left the NRL in 2008 following a string of alcohol-related incidents at the Eels and the diagnosis of bi-polar disorder.

Since his return, he has been "brought back to reality" by how much more fitness is required than his last stint in the NRL.

Smith said the fact he is now willing to front the media is also a sign he has matured off the field.

"By the way I'm talking, you can probably tell that," he said.

"When I was a younger bloke I hated doing this sort of stuff."

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