Missing only Test forward Paul Gallen and experienced centre Dean Collis, the Sharks fumbled their way to a 36-12 defeat against the Wests Tigers at Gosford on Saturday. The trial posed more questions than it answered for coach Ricky Stuart, who was not impressed with the dozen handling mistakes.

"I've got to hope we go better because we did not taper off for the trials,'' said Stuart, whose side was also caned by the referees in defence for the second trial in a row.

As well, injuries to new recruits and dummy halves John Morris (ribs) and Paul Aiton (thumb) has the Sharks thinking about the hooker-dummy half positions and Barrett's starting partner in the halves. The injuries partly explained why the Tigers put on so many points against them in that area, with hooker Robbie Farah starring in that role.

The Sharks new recruit Albert Kelly trialed in the halves before and after Barrett, and other key Sharks were rested in the second half of Saturday's trial, with Nathan Stapleton at fullback. The pacy and solidly-built Kelly again showed, particularly in attack outside Barrett, that he will be strongly considered for a starting 17 position.

However, Stuart is likely to wait to see how the more experienced John Morris pulls up before naming his side next week for the NRL season opener against the Melbourne Storm at Toyota Stadium.

Young gun Blake Ferguson showed why he will be used exclusively in the centres this season. The tall Indigenous All Stars rep looked dangerous on the right side, despite limited opportunities with the ball.

On Sunday, Stuart told players, officials and sponsors at the Sharks season launch at Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club that the football side now had the job of carrying on the good work done by the club off the field in rebuilding the Sharks.

"It won't be easy,'' said Stuart, who has the job of moulding a new-look side with the best of 11 new NRL recruits. ``We have a big job ahead of us but in this squad we do have the resolve to make 2010 a success, on and off the field.''