LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Cronulla Sharks are preparing for their future without star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, who recently suffered a torn ACL.
As reported by the Daily Telegraph, the Sharks have initiated the process of seeking salary cap relief from the NRL after Mulitalo's significant injury, which occurred while he was representing New Zealand against Samoa during last month's Pacific Championships.
Mulitalo has undergone surgery, and it is anticipated that he will be sidelined for a period of nine to eleven months, which means he will miss most of the 2026 NRL season.
The NRL allows clubs to apply for cap dispensation in cases where players sustain major injuries while playing for representative teams.
If granted, the Sharks could secure an additional $250,000 to $300,000 in salary cap space to strengthen their top-30 roster for the upcoming season.
In the immediate future, Sione Katoa and promising local junior Sam Stonestreet are expected to step in as wingers when the Sharks kick off their 2026 season against the Gold Coast Titans on March 7.
Mawene Hiroti, who can play both wing and centre, is another option for coach Craig Fitzgibbon, while highly-rated rookie Michael Gabreal, primarily a centre, could also be called upon to make his NRL debut on the wing.