Cronulla may face the daunting prospect of avoiding a 0-3 start to the NRL without their captain as Paul Gallen attempts to stave off a foot problem.
The Sharks have yet to officially rule Gallen out of Saturday’s clash against Parramatta, however the veteran prop will need to prove his fitness in Friday’s captain’s run.
His absence would be a huge blow for one of the premiership heavyweights who are staring down the barrel of opening their campaign with three-straight defeats.
Coach Shane Flanagan could also be without another experienced campaigner in Luke Lewis, who is yet to appear this season but has been named on an extended bench.
Lewis also suffered a foot injury in the side’s final training run before their season-opening defeat to North Queensland in Townsville.
If Lewis fails to recover in time, Flanagan will have to choose between young forwards Kurt Dillon and Jack Williams to replace Gallen’s spot in the 17.
Parramatta is also without a win in their opening two matches, and were humiliated 54-0 by Manly last weekend.
Meanwhile, Sharks legend Mark McGaw is the only non-incumbent candidate standing for election for three vacant board seats in Thursday’s annual general meeting.
The three-year terms of directors Darren McConnell, Paul O’Neill and Craig Airey have expired, however all three have applied for re-election.
McGaw, who played 157 games for the Sharks over nine years that included four Tests for Australia and 13 State of Origin matches for NSW, confirmed his nomination last month.