The Sydney Roosters know first-hand the damage a motivated Todd Carney can cause, and the Cronulla’s superstar will have a point to prove when he faces the man who inherited his NSW Origin jersey on Monday night.

While Carney denied he was focused on his one-on-one duel with Roosters pivot James Maloney, it’s hard to think the dynamic Shark will not be motivated for a big one.

With the Sharks still eyeing a possible top-four finish, Carney says he is driven by a desire to avenge the embarrassing 40-0 thumping by the Roosters in round 19 – and the Roosters are aware of the danger their former teammate can present.

“Toddy’s been on fire this year – I know first hand in 2010 here he was on fire as well,” back-rower Mitchell Aubusson said.

“We have to do a good job on him and make sure we limit his opportunities.”

Carney has been brilliant since overcoming some struggles which came with his Origin snubbing, with the one bad mark being the mauling against the Roosters.

The Sharks as a whole are determined to right the wrongs of a month ago, with the opportunity to jump into fifth spot after Canterbury’s loss to South Sydney an extra carrot.

It is also somewhat of a litmus test for the Sharks, as they look to make the most of a season which has been hammered by off-field distractions.

“They’ve been the benchmark all year and can see that everything’s coming together for them,” Cronulla prop Ben Ross said of the Roosters.

“Apart from Boyd Cordner they’re injury free and going along great guns.

“You’ve got to test yourself against the best if you want to be the best.”

The Sharks will have skipper Paul Gallen back on deck from the side that lost to the Roosters in round 19, but the visitors will also be strengthened with Sonny Bill Williams having missed the previous encounter between the two sides.