LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Sharks have proven they can pull off a win without Nicho Hynes, but a dark cloud looms over the team as young star Jesse Colquhoun faces a serious knee injury after just seven minutes on the field.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon, known for his tough as nails attitude, is fearing the worst for the 22-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries in the past, including foot troubles during previous trials against the Bulldogs.
The latest setback against the Wests Tigers has left fans and teammates on edge, with scans set to reveal the extent of the damage, likely an ACL tear.
"It's not looking good for Jesse.
It was probably the hardest part of the night," Fitzgibbon, a no-nonsense coach, remarked after the impressive 58-6 victory.
"I don't think people realize the potential that boy has.
We had such high hopes for him, but he's faced adversity before with those foot injuries in the trials.
Now, he's got to battle through this one.
But I have no doubt in my mind that he'll come out stronger.
His future in the game is still shining brightly."
The Sharks, known for their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude, will need to rally together in the absence of Colquhoun and prove that they can continue to get the job done on the field.
As they say in Rugby League, when one player goes down, another steps up to fill the void.
The team will need to dig deep, draw on their reserves of strength and determination, and push forward in the face of adversity.
The season is long and tough, but with the support of their fans and the belief in each other, the Sharks will be looking to rise above the challenges and show their true mettle.