LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a devastating twist of fate for NSW coach Michael Maguire, the star Sharks half Nicho Hynes was forced out of the game at halftime with a calf injury, leaving the state's No.
7 jersey up for grabs once again.
The Panthers put on a masterclass performance in the first half at PointsBet Stadium, leaving Cronulla struggling to keep up and ultimately suffering a 42-0 thrashing.
This was a true test of the Sharks' premiership hopes, but they fell short against the ladder leaders.
As the Panthers ran in five first-half tries, Hynes was forced to leave the field for a head injury assessment after a collision with Isaah Yeo, a likely Origin teammate.
The crowd of passionate Sharks fans watched in dismay as Hynes failed to return after halftime, citing a painful calf issue.
This turn of events has left NSW coach Maguire with a tough decision to make, as the team regroups and looks ahead to the challenges of the upcoming season.
In true rugby league fashion, the game was a rollercoaster of emotions and highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport.