Friday, Leichhardt Oval, 7.35pm

Referee: Sean Hampstead

Verdict: The Sharks will want nothing more than to get out on the field tomorrow night following a torrid weekend off it. Mentally, they would all have had enough time to accept the fact Kangaroos star Greg Bird will play no further part in their 2008 campaign, but now they have to stand up to the test of playing without one of their key playmakers. The return of fullback Brett Kearney will help ease the burden on Brett Kimmorley, while the Tigers face their own dilemma with Robbie Farah out with an ankle injury.

Key: No Robbie Farah, no Todd Payten, possibly no Brett Hodgson - do the Tigers have enough firepower to beat a rattled Sharks side?

Tip: Sharks