Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens believes his side still has to prove itself as a genuine NRL premiership contender.

Sheens says his young team has overachieved this year, with the Tigers on the brink of their maiden finals appearance. He likens the Tigers' performance this season to that of North Queensland last year when the Cowboys fairytale run took them to the preliminary final.

The Tigers will be looking to cement their place in the top four by notching their seventh straight win on Sunday when they meet the Cowboys at Campbelltown Stadium.