The Sharks will shoot for three wins in a row when they face the Rabbitohs in Gosford on Saturday night as the finals race heats up.
After returning to form with vital victories over the Dolphins and Roosters, Cronulla will arrive at polytech Stadium as heavy favourites with the oddsmakers.
Entering the round in ninth position, the Sharks are in control of their own destiny but can’t afford to let opportunities slip in pursuit of a playoffs berth.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon knows 15th-placed South Sydney will pose a serious challenge despite missing several key players including Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cody Walker, Cam Murray and Campbell Graham to injuries.
“They’ve got a spirit about them; there’s no doubt that they’re fighting at the moment,” said Fitzgibbon, who saw merit in Souths’ loss to Penrith last week.
“With troops missing, sometimes opportunities come to other players which can make for a dangerous proposition… a little bit more unpredictability.
“They’ve definitely not lost the spirit.”
Having fought through a mid-season lull, the Sharks are poised to strike at the right time of year with star hooker Blayke Brailey leading the charge.
Brailey, the ultimate professional who has played 121 consecutive games, has emerged as the competition’s hottest player on the back of a lethal running game.
The local junior tore the Roosters apart with 118 metres, two line breaks and a try assist last Friday, using his speed and instincts to hare out of dummy half.
In Fitzgibbon’s eyes, the plaudits are well overdue for the reliable rake as he prepares to lock horns with powerful Rabbitohs No.9 Siliva Havili.
“I think he’s having ‘higher impact’ moments – probably more visible in (making) line breaks, and a couple of those have turned into tries, which has probably put the spotlight on him a little bit,” Fitzgibbon explained.
“He’s been our Player of the Year for the past two years. It’s really simple to say he needs to run more, but he’s got a fair bit else on his plate in the space of 80 minutes … He’s got a fair bit of a defensive workload, he’s got to give the ball to the big fellas when it’s required, but he’s selecting his moments really carefully.
“They’re paying off.”
While the Sharks are set to regain blockbusting centre Jesse Ramien from a one-week absence with hamstring tightness, second-rower Briton Nikora is out after copping a head knock against the Roosters. Billy Burns will take his place.
For the Rabbitohs, Englishman Lewis Dodd will start at halfback for the first time this season with Jamie Humphreys (concussion) sidelined. Jye Gray is back from a broken thumb at fullback, in turn pushing record-chasing finisher Alex Johnston to the wing, Isaiah Tass to centre and Euan Aitken to the back row.
With momentum behind them, Cronulla are ready to seize a golden chance to record three consecutive wins for the first time since Round 11.
There will be no complacency, with Fitzgibbon noting: “Anyone can beat anyone in the NRL if you don’t turn up with the right attitude.
“The most important thing for us if we do want to play semi-finals is to keep building on the way we’ve played the last couple of weeks,” he added.
“There’s still plenty of footy to go, so we’ve got to be wary that we’re not inconsistent at this stage of the year.”
Kick-off is at 7.35pm AEST. CLICK HERE to buy tickets.
The match will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo.
See the updated squads below.