Sharks coach John Morris has sprung a surprise with the selection of young fullback Will Kennedy for the match against the Panthers at PointsBet Stadium tonight.
A standout for the Newtown Jets in the second-tier NSW Cup last year and through the early rounds in 2019 after previously starring for the Sharks Junior representative and NYC teams, Kennedy becomes the 530th Cronulla First Grade player.
Kennedy celebrates his 22nd birthday today in coinciding with his top-grade debut.
The Bathurst product comes in for winger Sione Katoa, however as a specialist No 1 he is expected to spend plenty of game time at fullback.
In other Sharks team news, both Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita have been passed fit, with the pair set to take their place in the starting side.
In the only other change for the Sharks Braden Hamlin-Uele will come onto the bench in place of Jayson Bukuya.
The Sharks and Panthers go into the contest with identical 2-3 records after the opening five rounds of the season.
Kick-off to the NRL match is at 7.50pm
NRL Team List – Round 6
Sharks v Panthers
Thursday, April 18
PointsBet Stadium
Kick-off – 7.50pm
1. Josh Dugan
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Josh Morris
19. Will Kennedy
6. Shaun Johnson
7. Chad Townsend
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Matt Prior
11. Briton Nikora
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange
14. Blayke Brailey
20. Braden Hamlin-Uele
16. Jack Williams
17. Scott Sorenson
