Sharks need no more motivation for Penrith

Cronulla and Penrith have never met in a finals match since coming into the NRL together in 1967 but there's plenty of recent history between the teams.

Matt Moylan

Cronulla's Matt Moylan left Penrith late last year in less than amicable circumstances. (AAP)

Cronulla's rivalry with Penrith is set to reignite with the Sharks' batch of ex-Panthers now staring down the barrel of ending their former club's NRL season on Friday night.

Cronulla and Penrith have never met in a final but the two sides, who came into the competition in 1967, have plenty of recent history between them.

James Maloney and Matt Moylan's off-season switch has been a public point of discussion all year, with debate raging over which club won out over the deal.

The injured Wade Graham and fit Luke Lewis and James Segeyaro are all now at the Sharks after spending time at Penrith, with Lewis, Segeyaro and Moylan's exits all coming on differing terms.

Segeyaro even suggested there was a hate for the Panthers at Cronulla, before going back on the comments and describing it as a family rivalry.

The Sharks hooker could already see the excitement in the grudge match after Cronulla were sent to the second week of the finals after their 21-12 qualifying final loss to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

"I think in a way if you paint a bigger picture of how life goes and how footy life goes, a lot of the boys here are from Penrith," Segeyaro said.

"So it happens to be we're going to play them in do-or-die this Friday."

Segeyaro isn't the only player up for the battle.

Earlier this year he noted Moylan's increased motivation before their round-seven clash, while the Sharks' No.6 was easily Cronulla's best in their round 18 win in Penrith.

The history between the two clubs includes Panthers general manager Phil Gould last year uttering the word "soft" in reference to their 2016 premiership, leaving Sharks players fuming.

Cronulla haven't lose to the Panthers since then and the team offered "three cheers for Gus" when they beat Penrith on their home turf shortly after the comment in 2017.

"Semi-finals, everything is a bit quicker, it's a lot faster and more physical," Segeyaro said.

"It's an opportunity we need to take otherwise we'll be licking our wounds.

"What a stage to do it on, a do-or-die semi-final.

"And it's not just us (former) Penrith boys, it's the whole team will get up for it.

"It's pretty much that or we're gone."


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Source: AAP



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