Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey insists the Sharks won't be intimidated by a capacity Leichhardt Oval crowd baying for a fairytale Wests Tigers victory in Sunday's all-or-nothing clash.
The "sold out" sign was erected at the famous suburban ground almost as soon as it was determined Cronulla and the Tigers would lock horns to decide who qualifies for the finals.
The storyline all week has revolved around the Tigers and whether retiring hooker Robbie Farah will be cleared to play less than a month after fracturing his tibia.
Brailey said the Sharks don't mind the spotlight being fixed on the opposition and are ready to win from within enemy territory.
"If you look across our squad, we've got a lot of players that have played some big games, so I think they know how to handle the situation and the crowd being against us," Brailey said.
"In saying that, once the whistle's blown all that stuff becomes irrelevant and you just need to nail your job at the time. We just need to play our game on Sunday and really rip into the Tigers."
Sharks to target Farah, but not his knee
Getting booed is nothing new to Sharks prop Andrew Fifita, who has played the villain on numerous occasions during his colourful career.
He anticipates a razzing from the fans as he faces his former club but will lap up the jeers.
"At least I've got someone by my side – I've got Woodsy [former Tigers captain Aaron Woods] right next to me," Fifita laughed.
"I think they'll be giving it to him more than me. I love this stuff … We'll just sit there laughing to each other because we know what to expect."
Fifita said the Sharks would target Farah if he does play but not because of his injured leg.
"Mate, he's a hooker … You see Brails, hookers make over 50 tackles a game," Fifita said.
"Who are you gonna run at? Are you going to run at us big front-rowers or are you going to run at the little hooker in the middle? It's always bound [to happen], traffic going his way."
Farah or Cronulla captain Paul Gallen's storied NRL journey will end this weekend depending on what the scoreboard reads at full-time.
But it could also be Brailey's final appearance for his junior club, with the rake off to Newcastle next year.
The fact the 23-year-old is moving on from Cronulla has begun to sink in.
"Last weekend [the last home game of the year] it sort of did. That was obviously really emotional for me at the end of the game," Brailey said.
"It was all about Gal, deservedly so, but it was also my last game [as a Shark at PointsBet Stadium].
"I had all my family there and they'll be there again this Sunday. Fingers crossed it won't be my last game."
Marshall: We're not prepared to risk Farah
A premiership would be the ideal way to depart the club he's been involved with since his teen years.
"We've got a big task ahead not being able to drop another game. But hopefully we can stay healthy and run out our best team on the paddock and we're every chance of getting there," Brailey said.
Kurt Capewell is another whose time at the Sharks appears to be limited, with the utility yet to sign a deal for 2020.
Capewell, who hasn't missed a finals series since the under 18s, confirmed there were offers from various clubs and said nothing could be ruled out.
"My whole 20s career, my Queensland Cup career, NSW Cup and NRL I've played finals at the end of the year," Capewell told NRL.com.
"To miss it would be a bit of a strange feeling."
The 26-year-old's biggest goal is to play State of Origin for Queensland and feels he must cement a starting second-row spot – at wherever club that may be – to do so.
"I haven't narrowed too much down [but] it's getting to a crunch point now where I need to [get a contract sorted]," Capewell said.
