Cronulla legend Paul Gallen has urged Sharks fans to descend on Allianz Stadium on Friday night to help the side snap a seven-game finals losing streak.
Gallen played in the team's last post-season win, a thrilling 21-20 victory over the Panthers in one of the last games at the old Sydney Football Stadium before it was demolished and rebuilt.
Fans with tickets to Friday night's match against the Cowboys receive free public transport and Shire residents have been encouraged to jump aboard the G-Train departing Cronulla Station at 5.05pm to Central before riding the light rail to Moore Park. Trains will depart Cronulla for Central every 15 minutes.
Gallen said the crowd helped his side get over the line in 2018 and declared a bumper turnout at Allianz Stadium will make a major contribution towards a Sharks win this weekend.
"It's a huge event and a big game for the Sharks," Gallen told NRL.com. "We need to get as many supporters there as we can. Free public transport is included in your ticket so hopefully Sharks fans get on the train. It's the quickest and easiest way to get there.
"It's enormous when you've got the crowd on your side. It helps you with everything on the field and is a huge bonus so hopefully the Sharkies fans can get there on Friday."
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Much has been said about the Sharks recent post-season struggles, with the losing streak dating back six years. The side is yet to win a finals game under current coach Craig Fitzgibbon, dropping all four they have played since he took over in 2022.
It's a stat the players are keen to block out, with Nicho Hynes deleting social media to channel all of his energy into snapping the hoodoo.
Gallen knows a thing or two about breaking droughts, having led Cronulla to their maiden NRL premiership in 2016, ending a 50-year wait for a title in the Shire with a thrilling win over the Storm in the grand final.
The Sharks defeated the Cowboys in front of 36,717 raucous fans at Allianz Stadium the week before the decider, with Gallen eager to see the fans eclipse that figure this weekend as they look to break their current drought.
Looking back at the 2016 grand final
"It's been a long time but the boys just have to have their total focus on the game," he said. "They have to block everything else out. You can't control what other people are saying so just have a laser focus on the game and shut everything out.
"It's important to train hard and get your preparation right. If you get that right, you turn up to the game with a clear mind and there's no reason why you can't go out there and win the game.
"It's a big occasion and a big opportunity for the boys and hopefully the Sharks fans get out there to support the team."
The Sharks are determined to rebound from a 37-10 loss to Melbourne last week as they look to keep their season alive.
The Cowboys will travel south full of confidence after a tense win over the Knights last Saturday in a sudden-death final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The North Queensland supporters have jumped behind their side, booking out flights from Townsville to Sydney and snapping up tickets in the team's supporter bay at Allianz Stadium.
The Sharks recognise they must produce a much-improved performance to defeat the Cowboys and winger Ronaldo Mulitalo declared his side is ready to repay their fans as they look to book a date with Penrith in next week's preliminary final.
"It's a fun time to be playing," Mulitalo told NRL.com. "You want the old faithful fans out there supporting you. It will be good to run out and see the whole stadium black, white and blue and have the fans ride the wave with us.
"It's never going to be easy, there's always ups and downs but hopefully we get a packed house at Moore Park."
