CRONULLA skipper Brett Kimmorley believes there is more at stake in tomorrow night's derby with fierce NRL rivals St George Illawarra than just two competition points.
After a loss coach Ricky Stuart labelled as "embarrassing" against South Sydney last week, the Sharks are desperate to regain some lost respect at Toyota Park.
Kimmorley has pleaded with his team to show some heart against the Dragons or concede that nothing has changed from the team that meekly surrendered their finals spot last season with a club record 10-straight losses.
"We certainly don't want to go back to back (with losses) and certainly not at Shark Park as well," said Kimmorley. "It hurt us a little bit the loss to Souths, but the best way to get over it is with a good local derby.
"If we can't get up for this week, then it shows that nothing's changed in the Shire."
Kimmorley said the Sharks lost a lot of respect amongst fans and rivals when they capitulated last season.
The team were flying high near the top of the ladder until their 10-game losing streak cost them a finals appearance and coach Stuart Raper his job.
The veteran halfback said the players were committed to slowly regaining their status in the NRL under new coach Stuart.
"We've worked really hard to try and earn some respect and try and show fans that they won't see too many bad performances back to back or at all," he said.
"Part of the fact that we want to put some good performances out there week to week is to earn the respect ... a lot of people look at the Dragons as our big brother and we're the little brother sort of thing. The only way for us to change that is for us to play some good footy."
The Dragons are expected to welcome back co-captain Ben Hornby at halfback after he missed last week's loss to North Queensland with a quadriceps injury.
Hornby has completed all that has been required off him at training this week and should take his starting spot while Danny Wicks (lower back) is also likely to play against the Sharks tomorrow off the bench.
Cronulla, meanwhile, is expected to be boosted by the inclusion of NSW lock Paul Gallen for the first time this season. Gallen injured ankle ligaments during the preseason trials.
