Barrett, who turns 32 next week, made a return to the NRL this year after two seasons in Super League.

"This will probably be my last year so I want to do the best I can," he said from Kiama yesterday, where Cronulla are holding a preseason training camp.

"I'm only under contract for this year, so at this stage I'll see how I feel, but more than likely this will be my last one. So I want to enjoy every training session and enjoy every game because no doubt it's going to go pretty quickly."

After his shock call-up for NSW last season, Barrett said he is keen to retain his place in the Blues No 6 jersey.

"I'd love to play an Origin series again," he said. "I thought we turned the corner in game three last year and if we can carry on from that it will help break the run that Queensland have had - I'd like to be part of that, that's a goal of mine."

Cronulla suffered the worst season in the club's 42-year history in 2009. Boardroom upheaval, financial woes and disciplinary issues didn't help a team which suffered a horror injury toll.

The Sharks finished second last, but won admirers for the way they competed under tough circumstances.

Barrett said the club's young players had gained valuable experience this year.

"They were envied by a lot of clubs for the way they performed under adversity," he explained.

"They don't have to go through what they went through last year and not many players have to do it that early in their career. We just want them to enjoy their footy and get better every week. If we can do that we can be competitive.

"We aim to make the semi-finals and if you do that then anything can happen."

Barrett still lives at Barrack Point and watched St George Illawarra's progress with interest this year.

"I thought they did really well," he said. "They were very good and they can be proud of the season they had. I know they were very disappointed about how it finished but that's just the way it goes. They came up against two red-hot sides in the semi-finals."