But he's confident a timely kick in the pants from Sunday's rivals Brothers on the eve of their finals campaign has put them in the right mindset for the decider.

Kangaroos were unbeaten before Brothers accounted for them 18-12 in the last round of the eight-round season, before the minor premiers responded with a dominant 22-0 win in the major semi.

After graduating from school this week, a win would cap a memorable few days for Cronin.

"It's a big week for all us Kangaroos boys. we haven't been in a grand final for a long time so it's exciting for us. My last one was under tens, it's been a long stint," he said.

"I always thought it was going to happen at some point."

Cronin said the loss removed any sense winning the Weissel Cup would be easy before Sunday's showdown at Equex Centre.

"I think we needed a loss in the regular season, our heads were a bit up because we hadn't lost a game," he said.

"We really needed that loss and I think it's going to help us in the long run really.

"We were always in the game and we fell away in the last ten minutes. But in the first week of the semis our intensity was really high, and that's what got us over them.

"Talking to a few of the boys we said the loss will be good so we're not so cocky for finals."

Cronin said the team's close association formed coming through the grades together has been one of the major factors behind giving them a shot at a premiership.

"I think we've just bonded really well. We're all really close mates through junior footy."

Brothers coach Lee Wetherill said they would need to improve significantly from their major semi showing if they are to lift the trophy.

"The boys are pretty confident on their day they can beat any side, but we have to improve on what we tossed up in that first semi final," he said.

"After we beat the Roos that probably gave them a kick in the butt, and they came out with more intensity and we didn't match their enthusiasm.

"We got to play an extra game (16-10 preliminary final win over Gundagai) to make it through, so hopefully that helps."

Wetherill said back rower Bryce Magnone, who made his first grade debut this year, will be a key player, while skipper and hooker Wilson Hamblin returned in time from an ankle injury which required last week.

"We've really missed him and he was probably our best player last week," Wetherill said.

Hamblin said they need to come out of the blocks a lot faster than the preliminary final to try and put doubt in the Kangaroos' minds.

"They just started really strong last time and it shocked a few of us boys, we have to come out stronger this time and put the foot on the throat a lot more," he said.

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