While Cronulla and the Wests Tigers will compete for two competition points on Sunday, they may also be in direct competition to sign former NSW prop Aaron Woods.
The Sharks host the Tigers looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat to South Sydney on Friday night where their six-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.
Cronulla will be without Josh Dugan who missed the loss to the Rabbitohs with a stress fracture in his lower leg and could be out for a month. But the Sharks should welcome back Valentine Holmes after State of Origin duty with Queensland.
The loss to Souths highlighted Cronulla’s lack of size in their forward pack as the Burgess brothers in particular ran riot.
Newcastle were said to be interested in Woods but he is reportedly not keen to leave Sydney.
The Tigers would also welcome back their beloved junior but only at the right price.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan told Fairfax Media Cronulla had room in their salary cap for Woods and may make a play for him before the June 30 deadline.
"We are short one big man and Woodsy is definitely that,'' Flanagan said.
"I haven't spoken to Woodsy or his manager so we'll see what happens over the next week or two and we'll go from there.
"We could be in the position to accommodate him now. Our cap model allows us to chase someone like Woods. It's always good to be in this position when you're coming up to June 30 and if you get an injury and need to recruit someone.
"We'll have a look at it. But the ball is not in our court, it's in the Dogs'.''
A salary cap crisis has engulfed Canterbury who have been forced to listen to offers for players.
Woods is only six months into a reported four-year, $800,000-a-season deal at Canterbury and also lives in Sydney's south.
Flanagan said he had even spoken to Sharks captain Paul Gallen about the potential signing of Woods.
"I've only spoken to Gal about Woodsy. He's played with him before. He's a big body and would fit in here well,'' Flanagan said.
"We have plans to move Matty Prior back to the No.13 when Gal does retire, so we'll need another front-rower anyway.''
Woods has already played for NSW alongside a number of Sharks stars including Gallen, Wade Graham, Matt Moylan, Luke Lewis, Dugan and fellow front-rower Andrew Fifita.
There is also the chance to play finals football at Cronulla this year, which is unlikely to happen with Canterbury.
The Sharks and Tigers are both sitting inside the NRL’s top eight just past the midway point of the regular season.
A win for either would allow them to maintain their top four challenge.
