PORT Macquarie Sharks will have to find 40 points from somewhere if they hope to become the first team this year to defeat Port City this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Sharks head into the first-versus-third clash buoyed by a recent run of results that has seem them win three on the trot.
But front-rower Ben Kirkland knows they will need to continue their improvement on Saturday at Regional Stadium against a Breakers side who appear to have few weaknesses.
“We were pretty ordinary all round last time we played them,” he said in reference to the 44-8 thumping on May 20.
“We’re a much-improved side from what we were then, but we’re not oblivious to the task and we know they’re a pretty good side.”
Kirkland said the Sharks had benefited from a relatively consistent availability of players in the last month and the results spoke for themselves.
“We had a stop-start year, me personally, I tore my groin and we weren’t conditioned well enough – that’s just from no game time or continuity,” he said.
The Sharks will be hampered by the unavailability of fullback Harley Gore to a broken hand.
“We have the depth to cover those sorts of things and we’ll go out there and put our best foot forward,” Kirkland said.
Gore’s absence is somewhat offset by the availability of Joey Cudmore who came out of retirement with a solid 30-minute performance in last week’s 32-point win in Forster.
“Some blokes just have it and he didn’t miss a beat last week so he’ll be chomping at the bit to get out there and get at them,” he said.
Port City halfback Jake Kelly said the Breakers were wary of the Sharks recent improvement in form.
“They’ve come along in leaps and bounds and it’s good to see them get a bit of a roll on,” he said.
Kelly admitted the players were trying not to get carried away with thoughts of an undefeated season with just two matches before the finals.
“It’s good to think that, but you don’t want to say too much and jinx yourself,” he said.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 3.15pm at Regional Stadium.