Mossman Sharks face an immediate test of their premiership credentials – and one of the hardest road trips in the competition when they tackle defending premiers Yarrabah to open their CDRL season on Sunday.

It’s been just six months since a rampant Seahawks outfit upset the Sharks in the major semi-final on the way to eventually winning the competition in a heart stopping extra time win over Innisfail.

Now, the time has finally come for the visitors to show they have what it takes to beat last year’s champions on their home deck and to send a message, they too, are the real deal this season.

“Our big focus during the preseason has been on our fitness", newly appointed player coach Joel Marama told Newsport.

“We let ourselves down in that big game against Yarrabah, through our fitness more than anything else. Heading into the season I wanted to make sure, that overall, our fitness was better this time around.

"Yarrabah will be tough. They play a completely unpredictable style of footy, so we know what to expect.”

Strong defence

That means the visitors know where they’ll have to be strong on Sunday.

“We’ve done a lot of work on our defence and we know that will be tested against Yarrabah", Mr Marama said.

“If we hold strong in defence then our attack will come off the back of that.”