Cronulla skipper Cameron McInnes is confident the Sharks are well placed to make a charge to the NRL finals despite a mid-season slump that brings back memories of past St George Illawarra flameouts.
The Sharks burst out of the gates with nine wins from their first 10 games but they have struggled since then, losing six of their last eight to fall to fourth on the ladder.
Four points clear of ninth-placed Canberra, Cronulla are desperate to steady the ship when they host the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
The lean run is reminiscent of McInnes' experience with the Dragons in 2017 and 2018, in which the Red V sat on top of the table early in both years before fading as the season went on.
NRL Teams rate the Dragons' season
The 2018 Dragons recovered late to finish inside the eight and reach the second week of the finals, while the 2017 side lost to the Bulldogs in the last round of the season to miss the finals.
McInnes can understand the comparisons but said this year's Sharks side is a different situation.
"It's a different club, different circumstances," he said. "I don't think [it's the same], but from an outside perspective looking in, it looks similar obviously.
"It's so long ago to remember that, but I know we're working hard here. It's about those little details and a lot of learnings as well and the guys getting the experience, I am very confident we will come out better off."
Match: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Round 22 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been forced to make a handful of changes for Saturday's clash at PointsBet Stadium with Ronaldo Mulitalo ruled out with a knee injury. Emerging winger Sam Stonestreet has been named to play in his second NRL game in his place.
Forward Tom Hazelton is also missing due to a foot injury, with Royce Hunt straight into the starting side in his return from illness. Fullback Will Kennedy has also been named to return from a one-week suspension and Jack Williams has been selected on the bench after recovering from a wrist injury.
Across the league, St George Illawarra fullback Tyrell Sloan has been recalled from reserve grade after Mat Feagai suffered a head knock on Sunday, while Sam McIntyre and Harrison Edwards have been named to replace injured Cowboys duo Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter.
Shaun Johnson is also back from an Achilles injury for the Warriors and Joseph Manu is set to return from a fractured hand for the Roosters.
The Rabbitohs will be without Alex Johnston after he ruptured his Achilles in last week's loss to the Raiders, with Fletcher Myers named to make his NRL debut against Cronulla.
Richard Kennar has returned from a head knock in the centres, while captain Cameron Murray is back from a suspension picked up in the Origin decider.
McInnes recognises Saturday's clash against a desperate South Sydney will be a tough contest but he is confident Kennedy will provide a major boost to his side.
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"[Liam Ison], for a young fella, just absolutely went after it, which was outstanding," he said. "Willie is such a competitor. He's so underrated, but not within our facility. It's good to have him back."
Kennedy's return comes as Nicho Hynes continues to progress in his recovery from a fractured ankle.
The halfback is out of a walking boot and is looking to return before the end of the season in what would be a major boost for the Sharks.
80 minutes, 50 tackles, 9 hitups
The priority now is to maintain Cronulla's position in the top four to ensure they are well placed when Hynes, Hazelton and Mulitalo do return.
"You want to find your footy, find your game," McInnes said. "Everyone is working hard. At some point you want to see the results of that.
"Wins and losses are obviously our business, but I more mean just putting the product on the field you are proud of and worked all week for. The effort is there, but the detail is not.
"We want to be putting our game on the field, and then when those guys come back, regardless of wins and losses, it means we're in a good place. That's what we're about. Wins or losses is what we're judged on. We still feel like we're not where we want to be from that footy standpoint."
