Expectations are high at Cronulla for this weekends local derby.
A towering billboard outside Toyota Park advertises the clash, with the hope that the stadium will be filled to capacity with fans for the Saturday night match.
Fans who just three weeks ago were booing their team as they took to the field.
The Sharks don't need reminding that the stakes are high this weekend.
The team is coming off two convincing wins and a solid performance against the sixth placed Dragons hailed by some commentators as the benchmark so far this season would do wonders for their confidence and credibility.
Skipper Brett Kimmorley is convinced his team can pull off an upset.
"We're both playing good footy and it should make for a very good game. We've got a fair bit of confidence in camp," Kimmorley said.
"It helps playing bigger games when you're traveling very well and excited about playing footy."
The former Test halfback has been impressed by the team's recent form and believes its helped lift his game.
"My game is a lot easier to play when the forwards do a great job. I don't try and do anything extra or anything less, but it just makes it easier when they go forward for me it gives me time to play footy. Them playing well certainly makes it very easy for me to play well," he said.
Prop Jason Stevens is looking forward to facing off with the club where he began his first grade career in 1992.
The match will be his 200th in first grade.
"We've had two good wins and this is pretty crucial this win because if we can keep on that roll then it (will) lift everyone," Stevens said.
The Sharks took time out of training today to promote World Vision's 40 Hour Famine.
We've got about four or five major charities at the club that we promote a fair bit, but obviously any other charities that want our help we put our hands up. If we can help families and kids that are sick just by who are then obviously we do," Kimmorley said.
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ID=8494
A towering billboard outside Toyota Park advertises the clash, with the hope that the stadium will be filled to capacity with fans for the Saturday night match.
Fans who just three weeks ago were booing their team as they took to the field.
The Sharks don't need reminding that the stakes are high this weekend.
The team is coming off two convincing wins and a solid performance against the sixth placed Dragons hailed by some commentators as the benchmark so far this season would do wonders for their confidence and credibility.
Skipper Brett Kimmorley is convinced his team can pull off an upset.
"We're both playing good footy and it should make for a very good game. We've got a fair bit of confidence in camp," Kimmorley said.
"It helps playing bigger games when you're traveling very well and excited about playing footy."
The former Test halfback has been impressed by the team's recent form and believes its helped lift his game.
"My game is a lot easier to play when the forwards do a great job. I don't try and do anything extra or anything less, but it just makes it easier when they go forward for me it gives me time to play footy. Them playing well certainly makes it very easy for me to play well," he said.
Prop Jason Stevens is looking forward to facing off with the club where he began his first grade career in 1992.
The match will be his 200th in first grade.
"We've had two good wins and this is pretty crucial this win because if we can keep on that roll then it (will) lift everyone," Stevens said.
The Sharks took time out of training today to promote World Vision's 40 Hour Famine.
We've got about four or five major charities at the club that we promote a fair bit, but obviously any other charities that want our help we put our hands up. If we can help families and kids that are sick just by who are then obviously we do," Kimmorley said.
http://www.nrl.com.au/news.cfm?ID=8494
