Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon feels the clash with cross-town rivals St George Illawarra is the ideal finals taster, with plenty at stake for both NRL sides.
The fourth-placed Sharks travel to Wollongong for a Sunday-afternoon derby against the Dragons, who are trying to hold down eighth spot on the ladder.
With a full house expected at WIN Stadium, Fitzgibbon is leaning into the occasion, hoping his Sharks get a dose of finals fever.
"It's the Monty Porter Cup, local derby rivalry, packed house ... everyone's excited for it," Fitzgibbon said on Saturday.
"Obviously ladder positions with finals just around the corner, it's one of those games that you want to be a part of, and I think it's a really good time to get a game like this.
"That's what you do need and that's what you want, so it's come at a good time as it will be a difficult challenge. Coupled with the fact that both teams are in a strong position, that makes it even more exciting."
Braydon Trindall was expected to suit up after missing the past two weeks with a hamstring injury, with Fitzgibbon describing the halfback as an important inclusion.
"He's a valuable asset and takes a bit of pressure off 'Atko' (Daniel Atkinson) as they can share their roles,'' the coach said.
"We had a number of sets on Newcastle's tryline last week, but with one half steering the ship that can sometimes be a challenge ... we want to be more potent when you get opportunities."
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who steered Cronulla to the 2016 premiership, is looking to return the Red V to the finals for the first time in six years.
He preferred his team approach the match as just another chance to collect two points.
"I suppose I'm excited about the position we're in, but it's just two competition points that are really important, and that's all I'm worried about," Flanagan said.
"What colours we're playing against and all that sort of stuff, it doesn't really come into it in the end.
"We haven't spoken, from a coaching perspective, of a finals-like game, but I think everyone is fully aware of where the Sharks sit and where we sit, so those type of things look after themselves."
Meanwhile, Flanagan confirmed utility Jack Bird had exercised his option to stay with the Dragons in 2025, but was seeking a longer-term deal, which meant he had permission to look elsewhere.
"It's only a one-year deal and I can understand that at Birdie's age, and we're just given him the opportunity to see what's out there," the coach said of the 29-year-old.
"You've got to allow players if they want to explore and see if there's two- or three-year deals out there, but from my point of view I hope he stays."
