Sharks five-eighth Connor Tracey has modelled some of his play on robust Raiders star Jack Wighton and he's pumped to go head-to-head with him in Saturday's final.
There are similarities between the opposing playmakers. Both are damaging ball-runners with natural instincts to challenge the line.
The sudden-death playoff at GIO Stadium will be just the fifth start for Tracey this season, but the 24-year-old isn't daunted by the task of lining up against the 2019 Clive Churchill Medallist in Wighton.
"I can't wait actually. Players like him are sort of who I try to base my game off and look up to," Tracey said on Wednesday.
"Him and Cameron Munster are probably the two five-eighths I watch the most. It's pretty cool we're both in the number six."
Tracey said he studies what Wighton and Munster produce "run-wise, the trends they have" and he's doing a good job emulating them, averaging 90 metres in his past three matches.
With Shaun Johnson injured in round 19, Tracey is now integral to Cronulla's premiership hopes and he will partner Chad Townsend, who is returning from suspension, in the halves for the first time.
Raiders v Sharks - Elimination final
"I can't wait to play with him. He's a traditional halfback and he's going to allow me to open up a bit," Tracey said.
The De La Salle Caringbah junior admitted he "probably wouldn't have believed" it if someone told him at the start of the year he'd be wearing the No.6 in a playoff.
"It's pretty surreal and I can't wait ... It probably gives me all the confidence and energy I need," he said ahead of his 18th NRL game.
"You always dream about playing finals. Playing finals in my first full year of [NRL] footy, it's pretty exciting."
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy is another player about to experience finals footy for the first time but he too is feeling assured.
"I think I'm ready to go, ready to rip in," Kennedy said.
The 23-year-old initially got a shot at the custodian's role due to Matt Moylan's injury concerns, and while the ex-NSW representative is again in the casualty ward, Kennedy has made the position his own.
The Bathurst product has registered 11 try assists in 18 matches in 2020 and his teammates praised his silky passing.
"Will's had a really good season this year, he's had a lot more opportunity to play at the back," Townsend said.
"He's lightning quick, he's got some good skill on him out the back with three-on-twos. Look for him to pop up this weekend. I feel like he's a bit of an X-factor for us. He's got some speed to burn."
Tracey added: "He's a very skilful guy. He adds a lot to our spine. You give him some three-on-twos and he executes them."
Kennedy said he started in the halves as a junior and that's where he developed his ball-playing abilities.
And he's often used Moylan as a sounding board and soaked up tips.
"I try and get a lot of stuff out of him to help me out on the field as well," Kennedy said.
"He's a good player and I like to take a lot stuff out of what he gives me. Good feedback and stuff."
As for his chances of being Cronulla's long-term fullback, Kennedy said: "I think whoever competes the hardest gets the jersey.
"I've tried my hardest to do what I can do to get the jersey and I'm here today."
