Sharks v Warriors: Nicho nears return; Johnson set for final game

The Cronulla Sharks are out to solidify their place inside the top four while the Warriors are determined to send retiring halfback Shaun Johnson out on a high in the final game of his career.

The Sharks climbed into third on the ladder with a convincing win over the Dragons last weekend and they have their sights on a top-two finish to secure a home final in the opening week of the finals.

The Roosters, Cronulla and Panthers are all level on 36 points with two matches remaining in the regular season.

The Sharks have blasted their way out of a mid-season form slump in recent weeks, winning four in a row to set the stage for a charge towards the finals.

Cronulla will welcome back a number of troops over the next two rounds, with halfback Nicho Hynes looking to return for Saturday’s clash against the Warriors at PointsBet Stadium.

Sione Katoa, Sifa Talakai and Ronaldo Mulitalo, who was a late withdrawal from last Sunday’s win, are also hoping to be back on deck this weekend as well.

While the ladder might suggest the Sharks are heavy favourites on Saturday, the Warriors have plenty to play for.

With the bye in Round 27, this week’s game is their last of the season and the last of Johnson’s illustrious 267-game career.

It’s fitting it comes against Cronulla, the club he represented for three years in between his two stints with the Warriors.