Star Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes has urged the NRL to allow them to play their semi-final against North Queensland at home.
The Sharks are facing the prospect of hosting the Cowboys on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, or CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Adding to the complications is the Sydney Swans are locked into play their AFL preliminary final against Port Adelaide on the same night at the SCG, next door to Allianz Stadium in the Moore Park precinct.
Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium currently has a reduced capacity of 13,500 people, but the lower-drawing Cowboys should present an opportunity to play there.
The NRL will confirm the week-two finals schedule after Sunday’s elimination final between Canterbury and Manly.
“Hopefully we can play at Shark Park, that would be ideal,” Hynes said.
“Hopefully we can do our best to get that and the NRL give us that because that’s important to us.
“Just get the support, get back together, regroup and go again.”
Hynes, who faced scrutiny for his performances in big games ahead of Cronulla’s qualifying final loss, insists the Sharks can bounce back against the Cowboys and end their finals curse.
Since winning the 2016 premiership, Cronulla have won just one finals game – back in 2018 – despite missing the post-season just once in that period.
A 37-10 mauling at the hands of minor premiers Melbourne on Saturday was the Sharks’ seventh straight defeat in finals.
Cronulla appeared a genuine shot of upsetting the Storm when they scored just before halftime to trail 14-10 at the break.
But the Sharks were blown away in the second-half as Melbourne went on a 23-0 run.
“Don’t lose our heads here, and learn from our mistakes from this game,” Hynes said.
“Just get together quick as we can, get back to the training paddock, review the game, and then get ready to go.
“We knew where we went wrong.
“They (Melbourne) won the last plays, and it’s just about staying tight, not worrying about the outside noise, not blaming anyone.”
