Injury Update for Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla Sharks have confirmed that dummy half and New South Wales State of Origin debutant Blayke Brailey has suffered a broken arm. The club has announced that Brailey will undergo surgery, but the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain.
The surgical procedure is scheduled to take place early next week, which means Brailey will be ruled out of the upcoming State of Origin match. While some estimates suggest that Brailey could miss only a month of football, this is based on the fact that he recently had his streak of 139 consecutive games interrupted by a head injury assessment (HIA) ahead of his State of Origin debut.
During a post-match press conference, the head coach shared his thoughts on the situation:
“We’ll scan that tomorrow, but (a broken arm) is what it’s looking like. Hopefully it’s clean – if it is fractured – it’s clean and not displaced, so that would minimise the time but yeah, that’s what it’s looking like.”
He continued:
“I’m still trying to work out whether we should have played him or not, but he was delivering too. He was playing such a good game tonight. He’s such a player. But he’s not going to be hurt forever.”
Potential Replacements
Brailey’s absence opens the door for potential replacements in the dummy half position. One option could be Apisai Koroisau from the Wests Tigers, or Wayde Egan from the New Zealand Warriors, who may come onto the bench for the State of Origin match.
At Cronulla, Hohepa Puru, who previously stepped in when Brailey was sidelined with a concussion, is expected to start over the coming weeks. This could provide an opportunity for Puru to solidify his role within the team.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Sharks are set to face the St George Illawarra Dragons, New Zealand Warriors, and Sydney Roosters over the next three weeks before enjoying a bye. Brailey could aim to return for the Round 18 road trip against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Another key player, halfback Nicho Hynes, is expected to make a return before then. Earlier reports suggested he would miss only a single week, but during a press conference, Fitzgibbon emphasized that they would not rush the star back at this stage of the season.
This decision could give Niwhai Puru more opportunities to play alongside Braydon Trindall, who was the standout performer in the Sharks’ narrow victory over the Manly Sea Eagles. Trindall delivered a strong performance, especially after the Sea Eagles mounted a dramatic second-half comeback.
Other Injuries
In addition to Brailey and Hynes, KL Iro is also out for the Sharks. He was a late withdrawal from Friday’s clash due to a knee laceration. However, it is anticipated that Iro will be back in action for the local derby against the Dragons next weekend.
