With three players named to make their Club debuts against the Panthers this Sunday, Sharks Coach Shane Flanagan says the side is not daunted by the prospect of fielding new faces.
The Coach was quick to dismiss fears that the side will be any less prepared for what promises to be a tough encounter out West.
“No matter who I put out there, they’re doing a job for us,” Flanagan said of the squad’s depth after the win over the Eels last Saturday.
“It’s (versus Penrith) is going to be a big test for us, but these players turn up week in, week out.
Penrith themselves are coming off a last-start loss at the hands of the Tigers, and will be out to make amends in front of their home fans this Sunday.
With Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright overlooked for Origin duties, the Sharks are under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task that awaits them at the foot of the mountains.
“They’ll be a tough team; we’re going to have five players in Origin … but I’m really looking forward to it,” Flanagan said.
“Blokes like Nu Brown, who’ve been working really hard, and those guys who have had limited minutes of the bench like Joseph Paulo, they’ll have to step up.”
“That said, there’s a real mature approach about them, they don’t get too far ahead of themselves.”
NRL TEAM LIST: Sharks v Panthers
Sunday, July 10, Pepper Stadium
Kick off - 4:00pm
1- Ben Barba
2- Sosaia Feki
3- Ricky Leutele
4- Gerard Beale
5- Valentine Holmes
6- Fa'amanu Brown
7- Chad Townsend
8- Matt Prior
9- Mick Ennis ©
10- Sam Tagataese
11- Luke Lewis
12- Jayson Bukuya
13- Chris Heighington
14- Matt McIlwrick
15- Jesse Sene-Lefao
16- Kurt Capewell
17- Joseph Paulo
