The Sharks are one of four teams stranded on 26 points and currently sit in fifth position and in the middle of the logjam.

They have a chance this weekend to break away from their fellow competitors, as they host South Sydney on Friday night.

James Maloney is back for the reigning premiers and Andrew Fifita and Luke Lewis will start in the forward pack with Jayson Bukuya and Sam Tagataese moving back to the bench.

The Rabbitohs have welcomed back Aaron Gray from injury in place of Braidon Burns, in what is otherwise an unchanged starting line-up.

The two sides will meet for the first time since round 24 last season when the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks by six points.

Cronulla will be out for revenge, and they should be able to get the chocolates this time around.

Sharks by 8.