Cronulla captain Paul Gallen wants his team to step up and make a statement against a side he describes as one of the best in the competition on Sunday.
The Sharks host last year’s runners-up Brisbane at Southern Cross Group Stadium on the back of five wins in a row and a place securely inside the top four.
The Broncos have been one of the standout teams of the competition so far along with reigning premiers North Queensland.
But while the Queensland sides have received most of the plaudits, the Sharks have circled silently.
Speaking to The Leader, Gallen said the Broncos clash was a chance for Cronulla to lay down a marker for the rest of the competition.
“[Brisbane are] a real quality side,” he said.
“They’re a fair rung above everyone else at the moment I think.
“[It’s] nice to win five in a row to go into [this game].
“It’ll be a real top of the table clash, you know, one verse three.”
The 34-year-old veteran said he was hopeful the Sharks’ legion of loyal supporters would be in attendance on Sunday, creating the cauldron of intensity that a full house at Shark Park can provide.
“It’ll be a good game, a big game,” he said.
“You’re a chance of getting 15 or 18,000 [fans] down here.”
Gallen dismissed any talk of a State of Origin warm-up against a Broncos side swarming with Queensland representatives.
“I don’t care who I’m playing against,” he said.
“I’ve never worried about the blokes name, all they are is a jersey and a number.
“I just want to do my job for the team no matter who I’m playing for.”
Gallen said while the gap appeared insurmountable to the top two, he was confident Cronulla had plenty of improvement left in them.
“I do think [it is insurmountable] at the moment, which is a bit scary,” he said.
“[But] in saying that I think we’ve got improvement in us.
“Whereas I just think they’re another level at the moment.
“How much improvement is left in them I’ve got no idea, I’m not with them everyday… [but] I know we’ve got plenty in us.”
Kick-off is at 4pm.
