Braydon Trindall has urged the NRL to allow Cronulla to host a home final at Pointsbet Stadium after guiding the Sharks to a win that has them on track for their first top-two finish since 1999.
AAP revealed this week that outdated facilities could deny Cronulla the chance to play at Pointsbet Stadium in the first week of the finals, if they were to secure hosting rights that come with a top-two finish.
The Sharks staved off a second-half fightback from local rivals St George Illawarra on Saturday night to win their first game at home since the news broke.
Trindall said the capacity crowd that turned out to watch the 24-18 victory reminded the Sharks of the importance of home ground advantage at the pointy end of the season.
"We've got such a good support crew," he told AAP.
"As you've seen tonight, they're unreal, they make the stadium rock for sure.
"It would be good to have it here."
Trindall was called into the starting side on game day to replace five-eighth Matt Moylan, who was ruled out with a quad injury.
Partnering halfback Nicho Hynes for the first time, he scored the try that broke the 6-6 deadlock in the 24th minute and then set Teig Wilton up in the shadows of halftime.
"I just knew I had to keep it basic," Trindall said.
"The boys know what they're doing so it's pretty easy for me to fill and do my role."
The Sharks remain a win back on second-placed North Queensland with four rounds to play, while also holding an inferior for-and-against.
Cronulla do not play another top eight side in the regular season, though, so may yet leapfrog the Cowboys, who have tough matches against Penrith, South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters awaiting them.
But the Sharks believe they can achieve more than just a top-two finish.
"All the boys are humming at the right point in the season," Trindall said.
"We'll just keep playing good footy and see where it takes us in the finals."
Australian Associated Press
