Cronulla end a season of long road trips when they head to Newcastle on Sunday aiming to lock up their highest finish since 1999.
The Knights have just one win in their last eight outings and the Sharks, who are looking for a sixth- straight victory, will feel confident they can keep North Queensland at bay to finish as runners-up to Penrith.
The Sharks' impressive ladder position comes in spite of an arduous travel schedule.
Of all the Sydney clubs only Canterbury, who played the Warriors in Auckland, have clocked up more air miles than the Sharks.
The Sharks draw has meant they have been to Brisbane three times, along with undertaking trips to Canberra, Wollongong, Melbourne, Townsville, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast.
Even within Sydney, Craig Fitzgibbon's side have been away to Penrith and Manly.
But Cronulla's players are happy they have been put to the test on the road and of their last eight away games only the journey to minor premiers Penrith has resulted in a loss.
"You always feel good when you are winning," Ronaldo Mulitalo told AAP.
"Travelling doesn't wear you down when you are getting the results.
"The next month or so is going to be big for us.
"Sometimes you've just got to find a way to win through your defence."
A win against lowly Newcastle will ensure the Sharks lock up a home semi-final at PointsBet Stadium.
The Sharks have turned their home ground into a fortress, losing only once there this year in a round-12 defeat to the Sydney Roosters.
"That (a home final) would be massive for us," said departing prop Andrew Fifita.
"I've never played finals here and it's a huge advantage.
"We have to earn the right to be here, this place, this is our palace and the crowd gets behind you so much."
If they can lock up a home final in week one and continue that trend then a preliminary final at Allianz Stadium awaits.
"We always knew it was important to get back home this year," said Mulitalo.
"This is our sacred ground, I know people hate coming here because it's windy, it's pissing down and they hate the changing rooms.
"We are used to it and it's the same when people go to Penrith.
"We had that one loss here against the Roosters and we were really disappointed about that.
"But this is our home ground and we want to protect it."
SYDNEY CLUBS WITH MOST TRIPS OUTSIDE OF THE HARBOUR CITY:
Canterbury 8
Cronulla 11
Manly 7
Parramatta 7
Penrith 6
South Sydney 8
St George Illawarra 8
Sydney Roosters 8
Wests Tigers 8
