The Stingrays of Shellharbour, through their first three seasons in first grade, have lost all six showdowns to their rival Sharks - including a 68-nil demolition in their last encounter in 2019.

However, this is a vastly different Rays team to past years.

The Flinders Field-based club has a new culture, which stems down from new co-coaches Greg 'Buster' Reh and Brad Reh, as well as skipper Keiran Rankmore.

"I obviously know the two coaches really well and have a lot of respect for them," Rankmore said.

"They've made a huge impression on everyone at the club, especially on the training paddock.

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"In years past, I believe the training standards weren't as high here but if you want to reap the rewards in games, you've got to do the work during the week and give 100 per cent."

This season marks Rankmore's first back in Group Seven since 2014 when he laced the boots up for Warilla-Lake South.

And after five years in the Illawarra competition with Wests, he decided to return - but this time with the Stingrays.

"The Stingrays are a club on the rise and one of the big things that attracted me here was helping to build it up to where it should be," the 30-year-old said.

"We've got a strong mix of youth and experience and are definitely headed in the right direction.

"The last couple of seasons have been tough for everyone but I think we've shown in our first two games (narrowly losing to the Eagles and Jets) how much more competitive we are this season.

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"In years past, Stingrays teams would probably have rolled over if they conceded a couple of quick tries against them, like what happened at Bomaderry, and their heads would have dropped.

"Each time we step onto the field, we want to show that fight to compete in every single play and with a few small tweaks, I know it's only a matter of time before we start winning games."

Their next chance to register their first win of 2020 comes on Sunday when they host cross-town rivals the Sharks.

"The coaches have put it on us to treat this game like a grand final," the lock forward, who's side is expected to welcome back star half Zaan Weatherall (concussion), said.

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"We want to make it a great rivalry between the two Shellharbour sides and there's always a bit of extra motivation to beat your neighbouring team.

"We come into the match as the underdog and with nothing to lose - the Sharks are always one of the competition's top teams and we know anything short of our best won't be good enough."

On the flip side, Sunday's visitors come into the match on the back of a strong win against Albion Park-Oak Flats.

One man that missed that fixture is Kiran Tranter (stomach bug) but the premiership-winning hooker will be back in the line-up on Sunday.

"It was great to see the boys get the win and dig deep the way they did against the Park," Tranter said.

"The win was super important for our season, considering we had lost to Gerringong the previous game.

"In my eyes, the victory all stemmed from our strong week on the training paddock - it was one of the best we'd had in a while.

"Despite those late changes (including losing Tranter, Dane Sablowski and Nick Greenhalgh), the way we gelled earlier in the week and the versatility of our squad enabled us to play the way we did.

"In particular, I loved how Brody Rigg played in that hooking role - he's an exciting player that makes everyone around him more confident.

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"He's been exceptional since joining the club and I thoroughly enjoy playing with him."

That win moves the Sharks up to fourth on the ladder, with a 2-1 record.

"Overall, I'm happy with how we're travelling through the opening few rounds of this shortened season," Tranter said.

"It's crucial for us to get a win on Sunday against Stingrays to cement our spot in that top three - which is our main goal."

While Sunday may be Rankmore's first Shellharbour Showdown, Tranter has played in the previous four.

And while all of those were one-sided contests, he knows that won't be the case time around.

"You definitely can't take them lightly," he said.

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"Their team is far stronger than in year's past, with numerous key additions to the squad, as well as new coaches.

"We've spoken at training this week about the importance of winning these local derbies - it's personal for us and I'm sure it's personal for them.

"With both sides having strong forward packs, I expect Sunday's contest will be won through the middle.

"I have complete faith our engine room can get it done on Sunday."

Elsewhere on Sunday, the Knights will take on the Magpies at the Kiama Showground.

While on Saturday, Gerringong hosts Albion Park at Michael Cronin Oval and Jamberoo battles Nowra-Bomaderry at Kevin Walsh Oval - with Warilla having the bye.