Cronulla managers will be sweating over the fitness of Sione Katoa, who hobbled off with an apparent groin injury after an innocuous carry that spoiled a dominant win against Canberra.
The Sharks were too good for an underpowered Raiders team as both sides controlled the game, winning 48-6 at Gosford, a week after a strong performance in the All-Star Game.
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However, all eyes will be on Katoa’s fitness days after falsely claiming he suffered a serious shoulder injury. Cronulla are already without superstar winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who was previously playing for New Zealand, due to a knee injury.
Sam Stonestreet will replace Mulitalo on the left wing, with Mawene Hiroti most likely to replace Kato if he is unable to play in the opening stages.
Canberra’s Matty Nicholson was sent off minutes later with what appeared to be a shoulder injury and did not return.
rookie watch
The intrigue surrounding Canberra’s half in the first round will intensify after manager Ricky Stewart opted to keep key players on the ice during pre-season.
Ethan Strange has one spot locked in, but fans didn’t get to see him and Ethan Sanders play at least 20 minutes together in the trials to strengthen their combination.
Saunders is expected to be a competitive replacement for veteran Jamal Fogerty, with Dane Lawrie also an option on the left wing but likely to be a bench utility.
If the Sharks continue to have problems at outside back, Michael Gabrael could be the bolter with a second-half double.
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combination
Cronulla’s fate always seems to depend on how Nico Hynes and Braydon Trindall combine in the half, and after another strong performance from the duo on Saturday, there are early signs that they could be poised for something special.
The team fell one game short of reaching the Grand Final just a few months ago, but there is quiet optimism around the Shire that if their star duo can perform, they can go even further in 2026.
Trindal expertly set up Katoa’s first try of the afternoon down the right flank, but a great move down that wing ended with Jesse Lamian falling.
Both teams then linked up and Sam Stonestreet scored in the left corner, before Hines sliced through and Hohepa Puru added more than four minutes into the second half.
It was the last act before all the big players left the field on a stinking hot day, and Sharks fans were hoping they would fire in the business end of the season when things really heated up.
recruitment watch
Jayden Braley is third in the pecking order, but he showed he can still be a useful option at hooker if the Raiders need him.
The veteran dummy-half moved to the Capitals after spells with the Sharks and Knights, and during his time on the field Braley recorded 20 tackles and made no mistakes.
Tom Stirling and Owen Patty were a dynamic duo that helped Canberra win the minor premiership, but Braley could be a key piece on and off the field.
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hot take
There are injury concerns for the winger, but I wouldn’t be shocked if either KL Ilo or Jesse Lamian end the year as Cronulla’s try-scorer. It’s rare for a center to do that, but considering they’re a team that likes to run tough lines, this team could easily buck that trend.
final decision
It will be interesting to see Canberra’s early season form given that many of their big names did not feature in the trials. They are favorites to miss out on a top eight spot from the high-profile merchants, and although they weren’t very good on Saturday, making 15 errors, a win over Manly in the first round will make people think they’ll get back to that grade quickly.
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sharks steam
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoua 3. Jesse Ramian 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nico Hynes 8. Adin Fonua-Blake 9. Blake Braley 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nicola 12. Billy Barnes 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Shioshifatarakai 15. Toby Rudolph 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Ouere 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 21. Jayden Berell 22. Niwai Puru 23. Riley Jones 24. Michael Gabriel 25. Harrison Hassett 26. Taj Ford 27. Riley Pollard 28. Chris Veira
raiders team
1. Dane Lowry 2. Saverio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Criss 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Alaia 7. Jalen Afamasaga 8. Ata Mariota 9. Jayden Braley 10. Zach Hosking 11. Matt Nicholson 12. Noah Martin 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Patty 15. Jed Stewart 16. Sione Finau 17. Jordan Utah 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Mark Tuali’i 20. Sean Packer 21. Miles Martin 22. Jake Clydesdale 23. Joseph Roddy 24. Saxon Innes 25. Bradan Dermody 26. Michael Asomua 27. Samuel Hein 28. Venapatuki Case