Halfback Luke Lewis says Penrith are remaining grounded despite a remarkable turnaround which has seen them quickly go from wooden spoon favourites to one of the NRL's form sides.

The Panthers head into Sunday's CUA Stadium clash with Cronulla within touching distance of the competition lead and looking to put four consecutive wins together for the first time since 2005.

It's a drastic improvement for a side that lost its two opening games in dismal fashion and were firming favourites for a second-straight wooden spoon.

The versatile Lewis, a driving force behind their resurgence after switching to No.7, said the side was high on confidence but determined not to get carried away and prematurely think about finals football.

"We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves or start thinking that we're some team that we're not," Lewis said.

"It's every team's dream to get to the finals and go all the way.

"But as a group we're just thinking one week at a time.

"We've got a lot of work to do and we've still got a lot to learn both as a group and as individuals."

The Panthers meet the Sharks at an ideal time, without bash brothers' Greg Bird and Paul Gallen, both away on Origin duty with NSW.

But Lewis said Penrith, missing Queensland prop Petero Civoniceva, would nonetheless be in for a tough afternoon against the team they beat 21-20 at Shark Park in April.

"Bird and Gallen are two great players but Cronulla have still got a great side going out on the paddock on Sunday and you can't underestimate them," Lewis said.

"They've got great skill all around the park."

Sharks centre David Simmons is in severe doubt with a shoulder injury, with Fraser Anderson likely to switch from the backrow if he is ruled out.

The Panthers have no concerns, with Lewis set to continue in the halves alongside Maurice Blair with Jarrod Sammut again named on the wing.

Lewis, 24, said he was looking forward to moving on from the drama surrounding his future after he last week backed out of a move to South Sydney to re-sign with the Panthers for four years.

Even a private dinner with Souths owner and Hollywood star Russell Crowe could not sway him to join the Bunnies, with Lewis citing family reasons for wanting to stay at Penrith.

"Last week was a tough week, for myself and for my girlfriend and my family," Lewis said.

"But it's good to have all the dramas over now and I can concentrate on life in general and going out on the football field and having fun."

The former Test centre was in the mix to replace suspended winger Jarryd Hayne in Wednesday's State of Origin II but missed out to Melbourne winger Steve Turner.

"It's a bit disappointing not to get in but there's so many good players out there, it's pretty much a lucky door prize," Lewis said.

"Steve Turner's a great player and an even better bloke so I think he'll do the job really well."

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