If not for a last-minute try by Canberra's Hudson Young in round one the Sharks would be undefeated in 2022 and setting the pace alongside premiers Penrith.
With Nicho Hynes settling seamlessly into the halfback role, Matt Moylan in dazzling form at five-eighth and their forwards running hard and hitting hard, the Sharks have been a revelation in the opening month.
In stark contrast, the Tigers are 0-4 and still rueing the one that got away on the Gold Coast last Thursday when a try to AJ Brimson off a flukey kick in the 80th minute saw the Titans steal victory.
Things don't get any easier for the embattled Tigers as they confront a form team and a hostile crowd at PointsBet Stadium, where the Sharks are 2-0 this season and revelling in being back in front of their passionate fans.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Wests Tigers
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: Royce Hunt and Jack Williams have been added to the bench 24 hours before kick-off with Aiden Tolman and Braydon Trindall dropping out. There were no further changes in the final game day 17.
Matt Ikuvalu (ankle) and Connor Tracey (groin) remain out with Siosifa Talakai keeping his spot in the backline after a strong performance on the left edge.
Wests Tigers: Centre James Roberts was ruled out the day before the game with fullback Daine Laurie joining him in the final game-day 17 with Starford To'a moving to fullback, Luke Garner to centre and Tom Mikaele added to the bench.
Jock Madden remains in the halves alongside Luke Brooks with Jackson Hastings another week away from a return from suspension. Kelma Tuilagi has been included in the back row after failing a HIA last week but was cleared to face the Sharks.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Key match-up
Briton Nikora v Luciano Leilua: The Sharks back-rower was one of many star performers against the Knights, running for 157 metres and working the house down in defence with 42 tackles. Leilua can drift in and out of games but against the Titans he was at his damaging best with 124 metres and four tackle breaks, doing all in his power to get his team across the line.
Stat attack
The Sharks have racked up 26 line breaks in the first four rounds, with Sione Katoa (5), Matt Ikuvalu (3) and Ronaldo Mulitalo (3) leading the way. The Tigers have made just 13 line breaks across four games and are sorely missing the creativity of Adam Doueihi who is out with a long-term knee injury and suspended playmaker Jackson Hastings.