Billy Burns is poised to become Shark #559 after earning selection on the interchange for Saturday night's clash with Wests Tigers.
Due to Briton Nikora's two-game suspension for a careless high tackle, Jack Williams has been promoted to start in the second row with Burns on the bench.
A Parkes Spacemen junior with 41 NRL matches already to his name, Burns arrived at Cronulla in the off-season after stints at the Panthers and Dragons.
Having scored for Sharks feeder team Newtown in their opening two NSW Cup clashes, Burns will enter the NRL fixture at Leichhardt Oval in good form.
Capable of playing as an edge forward, through the middle or even as a centre, Burns provides a range of options for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
It hasn't taken long for Burns to settle into his surroudings in the Shire, with the 25-year-old raving about the club's culture at the recent Sharks season launch.
"It's quite refreshing to be around a bunch of guys that are hungry every day and have that end goal in sight," Burns said.
An under-20s graduate at Penrith, Burns made his NRL debut in 2019. He totalled 12 matches for the Panthers before switching to St George Illawarra in 2021.
He spoke of his excitement to be at Cronulla upon joining the club in November.
"I was attracted to the Sharks by how proud the club is, as well as the coaching staff with Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) leading the charge," Burns said.
"The pride in the club and the jersey is something I wanted to be a part of.
"I want to work on my game and hopefully play some consistent first grade - that's always a goal - and help this club any way I can to win a comp."
