One of rugby league's golden rules is to not get too excited about pre-season trials.
But that might be difficult for Sharks fans after Cronulla's comprehensive 30-6 victory over Newcastle on Saturday night.
The Sharks ran in five tries to one against the much-hyped Knights. They led 18-0 at half-time and there was plenty to encourage new head coach John Morris.
The highlight was the combination of Cronulla's new-look halves combination of Chad Townsend and Shaun Johnson - along with Matt Moylan after his shift to fullback.
The trio looked sharp as Cronulla put a turbulent week behind them which saw the culmination of the NRL's long-running salary cap probe to finish their pre-season campaign on a high.
The Sharks will head into their round one clash against Newcastle in a fortnight with plenty of confidence after the 24-point rout.
Andrew Fifita was another who stood out in his first pre-season hit out, with the giant prop dominating during his time on the field.
It was a tough afternoon in Maitland in the Hunter Valley, with the temperature nudging 30 degrees at kick-off.
The Sharks led 6-0 after as many minutes. Cronulla looked controlled in attack and on the back of a repeat set shifted right through Townsend, Johnson and Moylan for Josh Dugan to touch down.
Cronulla went close shortly after when Sione Katoa dropped a pass that was slightly behind him, a try in the corner going begging.
The Sharks had a scare when they briefly lost Moylan with young gun Bronson Xerri entering the action. He was to return to the field shortly after, only for Cronulla to lose Dugan to a head clash with Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce.
The nasty knock saw a groggy Dugan leave the field, allowing Xerri to return in the centres.
Cronulla bombed another try when Josh Morris couldn't find Sosaia Feki who would have scored after the Sharks created an overlap.
But they were to extend their lead to 12-0 just before the half hour mark when Moylan decided to run the ball down Cronulla's left before chipping over the top.
Knights fullback Connor Watson looked to have it covered only to inexplicably drop the ball in goal. Kurt Mann had an air swing trying to clear the ball dead, allowing Morris to touch down.
Cronulla showed they were as strong at the other end of the field, displaying plenty of commitment in defence to repel the Knights for four consecutive sets on their own line.
The visitors then hit Newcastle with the sucker punch right on half-time when Fifita barged over next to the posts from a sharp Jayden Brailey pass.
Cronulla extended their advantage to 24-0 10 minutes into the second half when Katoa produced an acrobatic finish to score in the right corner - again after Townsend and Johnson had combined to find substitute fullback Will Kennedy, with Kennedy's long cut out pass finding Katoa who tip toed down the touchline.
That was to be Johnson's last involvement with the New Zealand international retiring after slotting the conversion from the touchline, Cronulla's goal-kicking looking in good hands with Johnson assuming the duties this season from Townsend.
But Cronulla weren't done. Just seconds after entering the field of play, Kyle Flanagan showed his class to lay on the Sharks' fifth try.
Flanagan looked outside before playing inside to Kennedy, with the young fullback slicing through Newcastle's line before setting up Townsend to score next to the posts.
The Knights scored a late consolation as the match petered out, with Starford Toa bamboozling Feki to score out wide.
The only negative for Cronulla was the fact their performance didn't earn them two competition points.
They will have their chance when they return to the Hunter Valley to face Newcastle in round one on March 15.
Leader Scoreboard
Cronulla Sharks 30 (Josh Dugan, Josh Morris, Andrew Fifita, Sione Katoa, Chad Townsend tries. Shaun Johnson four goals, Kyle Flanagan goal)
defeated
Newcastle Knights 6 (Starford Toa try. Kalyn Ponga goal)
at Maitland Sports Ground
Sharks' next three: Knights (away), Titans (home), Cowboys (away)
