Sharks coach John Morris plans to use Cronulla's trial with Manly as a dress rehearsal - on and off the pitch.
Cronulla host the Sea Eagles at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday night, their final hit out before their NRL season opener against South Sydney on March 14.
While the Sharks were part of an historic trial against Canterbury in Papua New Guinea on Saturday night, the Leader understands it was Morris who pushed for Cronulla's second trial to be played at Kogarah.
Not only is it important for Cronulla's players to start to feel comfortable playing as the home team at Jubilee Stadium - the traditional home of bitter rivals the St George Dragons - but Morris is keen for Sharks fans to make Kogarah feel like home as well.
The Sharks will play their home games at Jubilee Stadium for the next two seasons while Woolooware's Shark Park undergoes redevelopment.
And Morris will take the Sea Eagles trial seriously with plans to name his strongest possible squad.
Andrew Fifita and Brayden Uele are expected to get some game time after returning from injury alongside experienced representative prop Aaron Woods.
While Wade Graham, Briton Nikora and Jesse Ramien will line up are featuring in the NRL All-Stars match.
Josh Dugan is expected to remain unavailable, with Matt Moylan also unlikely to be risked as he battles a calf problem.
Bronson Xerri also won't play, with the young centre on track for a return in either round one or round two following shoulder surgery.
Will Kennedy is likely to start at fullback after impressing in PNG, with Josh Morris to partner Ramien in the centres. Sione Katoa appears to have one wing spot, with Ronaldo Mulitalo also unavailable after copping a knock to the knee in the defeat to the Bulldogs.
Jack Williams will get the first crack at wearing Paul Gallen's No.13 jersey, while Cronulla's spine of Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson and Blayke Brailey will all feature.
"Obviously, hopefully we'll be close to a full strength side," Morris said.
"For us there was a fair few players that weren't there [against Canterbury]. A lot of them will come back in. We've still got a few who will be unavailable.
"That's kind of your last dress rehearsal and you want to try and run as close to what you're starting 13 and 17 will be for round one. But also for me no one has got their jersey stitched up for round one. And that will need to be determined off the next couple of weeks at training. I'll take [the PNG trial] into consideration and I'll certainly take [the Manly trial] into consideration.
"That's been my message to all the boys all year. Those who work the hardest and earn the jumpers are going to be the ones that get them. And it's a big game for us, we want to come out and stand up to Manly. They've had it all over us the last few years. We played them in a trial last year and they got into us as well.
"So it's a perfect trial for us. A nice physical, strong team and importantly it's a dress rehearsal for us at Netstrata at Kogarah. I'd really encourage all the Sharks fans and our members to get out and support the game and really check out the ground. We're really excited about going there and playing our games there and we hope they are too. And they can go there and make it work for us with the view to play our first home game there in round two against the Storm which is going to be an absolute cracker."
Kick-off is at 6pm.
