Melbourne Storm are on guard for a wounded Cronulla, who Cameron Munster rates as the best team in the NRL competition when they're on their game.
Cronulla's hopes of a top-four finals berth took a hit last round with their golden-point loss to Manly, with the result expected to add another layer to the likely fiery clash with the Storm at AAMI Park on Sunday.
"They've been playing some great footy and are on the verge of getting that top four spot so we need to play well and nullify that top four chance," Melbourne five-eighth Munster said.
"We know with the Sharks that if they bring their A-game they can beat anyone - they've got that grit and grunt about them and it's always a fiery battle."
Munster warned that his side couldn't get down and dirty with the Sharks or they would come off second best.
"We need to be smarter and not play to their strengths and get down in the trenches with them," he said.
Melbourne are also coming off a loss to South Sydney, who replaced them at the top of the ladder.
Munster said errors early in the tackle count made life difficult for the Storm and they needed to improve their completions.
"We made it hard on ourselves," he said.
"In the first half we dropped three balls either on the first tackle off the kick-off or off the kick-off and you can't do that against quality sides.
"It will be a similar result if do the same and we give quality ball to the Sharks."
The game is the first since superstar fullback Billy Slater announced that he is retiring at the end of the season.
