Sharks competing for final spot

After a big win over the Tigers in round 23, the Sharks then kept their fate in their own hands with a physical 24-16 win over the Broncos that has kept them in eighth.

The Sharks, who are now on 22 points and boast a critical -24 differential, play Melbourne on Friday night and will know before their game whether they need to win to retain eighth-place.

Canberra faces the Roosters on Thursday night, who are on 22 points and have a -73 differential.

If both Cronulla and Canberra lose, the Titans can join them on 22 points by beating the Warriors next Sunday and would be in finals contention as they have a -47 differential-so it's all maths.

After their Brisbane win, Sharks coach Josh Hannay has no doubt Cronulla deserve to be in the finals.

"We haven't had it easy. I know that. There has been nothing gifted to us," he said.

"We have had our injuries, and there has been plenty of upheaval at the club, so I certainly think we have had to deal with a lot this year, so I think we do deserve to get there.

"Because we are a relatively young side, I think when we are on the front foot and we play with the freedom that we like to play with, there is no doubt we are a handful.

"Defensively, it is a work in progress, but certainly, I think we have the cattle and the game model to trouble teams."

Strongman Jesse Ramien is on report for a high tackle, but Hannay is hopeful he will be right for the Storm game, saying playmaker Matt Moylan would start after playing 50 minutes at five-eighth.

"We are definitely a better football side with Matt in it," Hannay said.

"He adds a bit of experience to a young side that we probably lack, particularly in a key position like the halves.

"I thought defensively he was fairly physical and he was at his scheming best a number of times. He was really unlucky not to score."

If they definitely want to play final football, the Sharks still need to improve their tackling. Through their 22 matches this season, they've missed 828 tackles. That's the most in the NRL and might come back to bite them.