St George Illawarra and Cronulla will reignite one of rugby league's oldest rivalries with their cross-town clash potentially set to determine the Dragons' finals future for 2022.
Anthony Griffin's side might have gone into Round 21 just one win behind the Roosters and Raiders, but a 124-points differential means the Red V can ill afford to drop points in the run home to the 2022 Telstra Premiership finals series — starting with a local derby against the Sharks this Saturday evening.
Despite fifth-year Dragon Zac Lomax’s derby record standing at just 1-5, the explosive centre said the clash with the Sharks on Saturday can't come quick enough.
“We’re still pushing for finals and we know it’s going to be a tough game for us this week but it’s one we’ve been looking forward to, it’s a local derby and one us boys are going to be ready for,” Lomax told the media on Friday.
“The Sharks have been playing outstanding, obviously Fitzy [Craig Fitzgibbon] is a massive addition to their team and Cameron [McInnes] who was a player here, I’m sure is going to be up for it against us as well.
“So it’s obviously going to be a good test and Hook has explained to us that it’s a local derby and what that means.
After the Dragons were comfortably beaten on their iconic Kogarah home ground by the Cowboys last time out, Lomax said it’s effort his side needs to improve if they have any hope of orchestrating a Round 21 upset.
Hunt kicks Lomax chases Hunt scores
“Every team on their day can put so many points on you so it’s just about doing your prep for the week and we’ve still got a few steps to go,” the Dragons outside back said.
“I just think it’s probably more of an effort thing towards the back end of the game. We need to finish in a little bit better spots in some points during the game.
“I think it’s just flicking the switch going from attack to defence and I think we’re not doing that the best that we would have hoped to.
“Finals footy is what everybody in the comp wants to play and they want to be there in the last dance right at the end of the year so that’s our focus and we’re not looking too far ahead.”
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While first year Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon might be new to the Shire, there's no doubt the former 228-game Rooster "understands the importance of a derby match" with Cronulla eyeing off a potential top four finish.
“I think they’re really important for the game, as a whole, everyone loves the passion and tribalism,” Fitzgibbon told the media on Friday.
“Irrespective of where and how clubs are performing, a derby just seems to raise the stakes, raise the intensity of the footy and everyone loves it.
“The players rise to the challenge as well. It’s funny how every week you strive to get to a certain level to plan and then there’s just little extra hooks and motivations you find. A derby seems to be one of the stronger energies you can get out of players.”