The Canberra Raiders say they need to "learn fast lessons" to secure a top-four berth for just the second time in 16 years and spoil Paul Gallen's home farewell.
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The Green Machine will be the enemy when a sell-out Cronulla Sharks crowd says goodbye to premiership-winning captain Gallen in a round-24 clash on Sunday.
But Ricky Stuart's men have bigger things on their mind after failing to fire in a gritty game last week, which put them in a three-way battle for two top-four spots.
Back-rower Elliott Whitehead said the Raiders shifted away from their game plan in a four-point loss to Manly and was adamant they wouldn't make the same mistake this week.
"We tried to play our hand too much and did a few things we hadn't done for a while. We need to look at those and fix them up fast," Whitehead said.
"Manly got us frustrated and that made us go away from what we knew would work. We needed to stop that during the game, we'll learn fast lessons.
"The Sharks players love a bit of niggle as well, so we're expecting that and they'll be up for Gallen.
"He's been a great player for them and world-class player, so they'll lift. But we're confident we can go there and get the two points to stay in the top four."
Canberra has won four of its past five games at Shark Park, although their last trip to the Shire 12 months ago was overshadowed by a touch judge blunder.
The Raiders want to win to secure a top-four spot one week before the finals, but the Sharks are equally as desperate as they fight for a a place in the top eight.
"It comes down to us being mentally strong," Whitehead said.
"When things get frustrating, you have to stick to that game plan still. Ricky wants us to work on that and be better. Hopefully we can do that."
NRL ROUND 24
Sunday: Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders at Shark Park, 2pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Hudson Young, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Michael Oldfield, 21. Tom Starling.
Sharks squad: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14. Kurt Capewell, 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 16. Andrew Fifita, 17. Jayson Bukuya, 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Blayke Brailey, 20. Kyle Flanagan, 21. Matt Moylan.