Sharks boss Tony Zappia attempted to lure World Youth Day enthusiasts to the game by giving them $5 admission if they proved they were pilgrims.

The proof could come from identification cards or the performance of a miracle.

Healing Greg Bird's injury would have guaranteed entry, but it was not to be, and few, if any, of Sydney's christian visitors elected to follow their viewings of the Pope by watching Ben Pomeroy.

Quiet, please. Kurt Gidley is playing.

Portrayed as Superman after appearing to fill all 17 positions in the win over the Panthers, Gidley was back in action last night, wearing the No.1 jumper because it reflects his standing in the game for utility value more than the amount of time he was going to spend at fullback.

Gidley and Jarrod Mullen held up Sharks back-rower Fraser Anderson in the 11th minute after a genuine try-saver from Zeb Taia on Brett Kearney. The throng was not amused with referee Tony Archer's call, but they only had to holler abuse for three minutes until David Simmons sliced through to put the Sharks ahead 6-0.

Taia produced a moment of magic four minutes later. Mullen directed a hooked cross-field kick towards the posts and the athletic Taia plucked the ball out of the air with consumate ease to score.Most Saturday night fixtures at Shark Park are a war of attrition, and at 6-6, another one loomed.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was embroiled in another controversy when placed on report for a high tackle on Cooper Vuna - in bizarre circumstances. Gallen hit Vuna about 20m from the Knights line. Vuna played the ball and play ended up down the other end of the field before referee Tony Archer received a linesman's report and marched everyone back to the site of Gallen's hit.

The Sharks led 12-6 after 30 minutes thanks to a four-pointer from Anderson, who leapt high to take a bomb only marginally less spectacularly than Taia had done. But then Knights centre Junior Sau stood and delivered a great ball for Aku Uate to score on debut in the 36th minute.

Mullen had so much time for a field-goal attempt just before the break that he lined it up at 8.20pm and kicked it closer to nine o'clock, giving the Knights a 13-12 half-time buffer.

Gidley was back to being Superman early in the second-half with a desperation tackle that stopped Pomeroy just centimetres from what would have been a lead to the Sharks.

For all that Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and the rest of the NRL's superstars bring to the table, we suspect Knights coach Brian Smith would not swap Gidley for anyone.

A Luke Covell penalty put the Sharks back in front by a point with 22 minutes remaining. Smith kept barking instructions into his walkie talkie as the tense final minutes ticked down.

In truth, Gidley was again very strong with being able to dominate one of the strongest defensive walls in the NRL.

The Knights were without normal captain Danny Buderus and Origin forward Steve Simpson, and again they were brave, but that will do little to ease their disappointment the morning after a game that lingered precariously on their fingertips all night long.

The Sharks led 14-13 in the 58th minute after Covell kicked a penalty to set up a half-empty grandstand finish in front of 10,112 fans and later booted another penalty in the 79th minute to seal the win.

Mullen suffered a hip problem and the Knights were forced to go back up the freeway with a demoralising loss.

The result reaffirmed the Sharks' claims to an all-important top-four position for the finals but put the Knights' play-off hopes in substantial jeopardy following Penrith's defeat of Gold Coast.

In further good news, Bird is expected to return to action in the next week or two, pilgrim-inspired miracle or not.

Refs extra tough on me, says Gallen

PAUL GALLEN believes he is being targeted by referees because of his reputation as an on-field troublemaker.

The volatile Sharks skipper was lost for words after being reported for an alleged high tackle on Cooper Vuna. At full-time, Vuna told Gallen there was nothing illegal in the hit.

Asked if he thought referees were singling him out, Gallen replied: "Yes, I do. I think I was penalised three times tonight. I have probably got that reputation … so there's only myself to blame. I've got to curb my ways - I'm trying to do that."

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart said: "I have no problems with 'Gall'. I want him as captain."

Stuart also said Gallen was doing everything possible to improve his discipline - "he's busting his guts" - including consulting referees boss Robert Finch.