PREPARE to welcome the toothless Cronulla Sharks, the worst attacking team to hit the NRL since the South Queensland Crushers.

The Sharks arrive today to prepare for Friday night's clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

While Brisbane players might fear a third straight ambush from Cronulla, the Sydneysiders’ form suggests they are on the path to claiming an unwanted slice of NRL history.

GALLEN, SHARP CLEAR THE AIR

media_camera Dejected Sharks players Paul Gallen and Todd Carney.

Floundering after a three-game scoreless streak, the Sharks are the most impotent NRL team since the 1996 Crushers.

And at least those Crushers were never held scoreless in a game. So far, the Sharks have fired blanks in four of their 13 games.

In a major indictment upon a team boasting six Origin players and nine internationals, the Sharks have averaged just 11.9 points per game in 2014. They are easily the worst attacking team in the NRL this century.

Cronulla's shameful attacking record is equal to the 1999 Western Suburbs Magpies (11.9 per game) and marginally ahead of the 1998 Gold Coast Chargers (12ppg).

DISMAL SHARKS SET UNWANTED RECORD

The Crushers, Magpies and Chargers were either defunct or merged within 12 months of their season flops.

The Sharks are considered one of the NRL’s endangered species but tomorrow night the major focus will be trying to save a season that is sinking quickly.

Much has been made of North Queensland's away record but the Sharks have been easy roadkill with a 0-5 record and conceding 168 points to score just 32.

Cronulla's five away scores read as 4 (v Bulldogs R2), 0 (v Knights R4), 4 (v Sea Eagles R6), 24 (v Eels R9) and 0 (v Dragons R13).

Remove the 42-24 try-fest with Parramatta and the Sharks have scored just two tries in four away games this season.

GAL SAYS SHARP NOT GIVING COACHING HIS ALL

media_camera Mike Ford congratulates David Krause after try for the South Queensland Crushers.

But the Broncos are refusing to accept the Sharks will be anything less than the team which made last year's semi-finals.

“We can't treat any team any differently to anyone else. They could be coming last and suddenly get a few wins under the belt and be back in the top eight. That is how close it is these days,” Broncos centre Jack Reed said.

“They get a lot of players back with the likes of Gal (Paul Gallen), Luke Lewis and Todd Carney, they're massive parts of their side and when they've been losing those guys haven't been playing.

“We know they're a great side. They've had a bit of a tough run, but every team goes through that.

“We just have to be on and take every half opportunity we can because you don't get too many from a side like this.”

media_camera Members of South Queensland Crushers team wave goodbye to fans for last time.

All signs in 2014 may point to a carve up by the Broncos, and the bookies have Brisbane $1.20 favourites.

But the Broncos have painful memories of last year's 18-19 defeat at Suncorp Stadium, when the composure of Carney proved the difference.

They also recall the 26-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium in 2012 when Cronulla dominated more than the scoreline indicated.

“I think they did us up here (in 2012) by a fair bit so you just have to be on your game,” Reed said.

“We're going to be switched on, we're just going to do our best and back our defence and get stuck in there.”