Paul Gallen knows better than most how tough it can be to break a losing run, which is why the Cronulla skipper has labelled Brisbane vulnerable heading into Friday night's Toyota Stadium clash.

Gallen claimed the return of State of Origin superstars Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday would not be enough to guarantee a return to winning ways for the Broncos, with the onset of the representative season having taken the air out of what had been a strong start to 2011.

The Broncos have lost their last three matches, their last victory coming more than a month ago in the round which preceded Australia's Test win over New Zealand.

Having endured his fair share of losing runs during his time with the Sharks, Gallen knows losing can be something of a habit, particularly for a side boasting as many young players as the Broncos.

"I think they will be a bit vulnerable," Gallen said.

"Three losses and sometimes when things are down they stay down.

"Being on the road it's an away game at a place where we always play well.

"They've got a lot of inexperience in their team - they've got some real experienced blokes and then some young guys too.

"If we can play our game and put them off theirs a little bit I think we're a chance."

Hindering the Sharks' chances of securing an upset is the loss of front rowers Luke Douglas (knee) and Josh Cordoba (hamstring), with the options so limited that Taulima Tautai - who came to the club last year as a winger/centre - has been thrown the No.10 jumper.

Throw in the continued absence of Kiwi Test enforcer Jeremy Smith and the Sharks' much-vaunted forward pack looks far less intimidating, with Gallen admitting his days playing on the edge of the ruck would be put on hold.

"I played in the middle last week," said Gallen.

"I have been on the edge and it's been a bit easier not having to make so many tackles but I'll be back in the middle this week."

The Sharks on Wednesday conducted a shave-off as they threw their support behind the Call to Arms campaign, which aims to raise awareness for men's cancer.

It is a cause close to the club with prop Johnny Mannah having overcome Hodgkin's lymphoma to return to the NRL midway through last year.

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