COREY Murphy, Sam Hine and Ben Kirkland have all got something in common - and it's not that they will be teammates at the Port Sharks this season.

While not at the same time, the three new boys played in the Sydney grade competition over previous years and now they hope to add a bit of mongrel to the Sharks defence as they pursue back-to-back premierships.

Cross-town rivals Port City Breakers have tuned up for the season with weekly trials while Sharks coach Joe Cudmore has focussed on a more low-key preparation for the season in the hope they will finish full of running.

Blockbusting centre Hine is described as being similar to New Zealand Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell and it's not difficult to see why when he is built low to the ground and tips the scales at 100 kilograms.

"I wanted to get back to my grass roots and provide a bit of strength and size out wide and rip in," he said.

Hine's experience will be important for the impressive batch of Sharks juniors coming through the ranks after he played for the Newcastle SG Ball side 10 years ago before he moved to Sydney and played in their grade competition.

"I just wanted to get out of the city and Port Macquarie seemed like a good fit for me," he said.

Front-rower Kirkland played for Forster last year and is looking forward to the challenge of vying for a spot in the engine room.

"The Sharks certainly aren't lacking front rowers but challenging each other will hopefully allow us to go back-to-back, but there's a lot of footy to be played between now and then."

Second-rower Murphy grew up in South West Rocks and also claimed the lifestyle in the Hastings along with the tight-knit culture of the Sharks as the major drawcards.

"It's close to home and I'm looking forward to teaming up with the boys on the right side ... the strong side," he said.

"I can't wait for round one."