Relief for Sharks as fullback free for important clash
Jasper Bruce |
Cronulla will breathe a sigh of relief after fullback Will Kennedy avoided suspension so will be free for what could be the Sharks’ most important game of the NRL season to date.
And in more good news for the Sharks, Jesse Ramien and Oregon Kaufusi are pushing to return from injuries to face hot-and-cold Canterbury.
If Melbourne defeat Brisbane on Thursday, the Sharks will lock in a top-four berth and double chance in finals with a win at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
But Kennedy’s availability had been in doubt after he went on report for a high tackle on Jack Cogger in the win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Cogger slipped into the contact late in the first half but Gerard Sutton nevertheless pulled Kennedy aside to caution him for the shot, which the referee said had “a bit of force in it”
Back-up options Liam Ison and Kade Dykes are both nursing season-ending injuries, so the Sharks would’ve been scrambling to find a new fullback had Kennedy been unavailable.
But the match review committee opted against charging Kennedy on Monday, meaning he can line up against top-four side the Bulldogs in a litmus test for the fifth-placed Sharks.
A win would mean the Sharks face minor premiers Canberra at GIO Stadium in the first week of the finals.
Medical staff will monitor Braydon Trindall ahead of the Bulldogs clash and may send him for scans on his ankle.
But Cronulla are hopeful the five-eighth’s injury is not serious given he waited until the Sharks were on top against the Knights before substituting out.
AAP has been told centre Ramien and prop Kaufusi are chances to return from their respective thumb and calf injuries in time for the big Bulldogs clash.
Ramien last played in round 23 and had been expected to miss the remainder of the regular season but has been progressing well in his recovery.
Kaufusi has been missing since round 22 and may return to a stacked Sharks forward pack.
AAP
