The Sharks have named a team with few changes from the side which went down to the Cowboys at their last start for the match against the Panthers this weekend in Bathurst.
With injured skipper Paul Gallen yet to be cleared by club medical staff, the Sharks have named a run-on 13 with the only one alteration, that being the inclusion of Sam Tagataese for Bryce Gibbs who has a hip flexor problem.
In other team changes prop Siosaia Vave will have surgery on a torn pectoral muscle this week and is likely to miss the rest of the season, with the experienced Chris Heighington to return from a calf strain and take Vave’s place on the interchange bench.
Matt Prior, who came into calculations for a spot in the top grade squad after a man-of-the-match performance in the NSW Cup side’s win over Wentworthville last Sunday, has been chosen on a six man interchange bench, with coach James Shepherd needing to make a decision on the final make up of his 17 closer to game day.
The Sharks play the Panthers at Carrington Park in Bathurst, with kickoff scheduled for 3.00pm.
For those unable to make the trip across the mountains, the game will be shown live on Fox Sports.
NRL TEAM LIST – Round 20
Sharks v Panthers
Saturday, July 26
Carrington Park, Bathurst
Kickoff – 3.00pm
1 Michael Gordon
2 Sosaia Feki
3 Jonathan Wright
4 Ricky Leutele
5 Jacob Gagan
6 Fa’amanu Brown
7 Jeff Robson
8 Andrew Fifita
9 Michael Lichaa
10 Sam Tagataese
11 Luke Lewis
12 Wade Graham (c)
13 Anthony Tupou
INTERCHANGE
14 Pat Politoni
15 Chris Heighington
16 Tinirau Arona
17 Tim Robinson
18 Tupou Sopoaga
19 Matt Prior
