The Sharks depth will be further tested when they travel to Penrith on Friday to tackle the ladder leading Panthers, with Braden Hamlin-Uele adding to their lengthening injury list.
Hamlin-Uele was having a huge impact on the game against the Storm until injured in the opening tackle after half time with the Sharks leading 8-6.
Forced from the field, Hamlin-Uele was later found to have suffered a syndesmosis high ankle sprain, with the Sharks prop to have surgery this week. He is expected to be sidelined for a period of up to eight weeks.
The loss of Uele comes as a blow to a Sharks team already missing a number of their NRL stars.
Also out for an extended period is Royce Hunt, the Sharks prop continuing his rehab from the knee injury suffered at the back end of last season, with outside backs Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jackson Ferris still unavailable.
Added to the injury woes, Andrew Fifita and Siosifa Talakia are sidelined this weekend due to suspension. Fifita will be available for selection in round 10, Talakai for the Sharks game against the Titans in Coffs Harbour in round 12.
The Sharks are hoping to have Jesse Ramien and Matt Moylan, who both missed the game in Melbourne, on deck for Friday’s match against Penrith.
In some positive news on the injury front Shaun Johnson has returned to the field and now has two games under his belt after recovering from an Achilles tear, while Wade Graham passed his Head Injury Assessment in Melbourne last weekend and since has experienced no subsequent issues. Graham is fit to take his place in the team to play the Panthers.
See below the latest injury and suspension update.
Braden Hamlin-Uele – syndesmosis/ankle –8 weeks
Royce Hunt = knee – tbc
Sione Katoa – knee – 3 weeks
Ronaldo Mulitalo – knee – 4 weeks
Jackson Ferris – ankle – 3 weeks
Jesse Ramien – glute – round 9/10
Matt Moylan – quad – round 9/10
Andrew Fifita – suspended – round 10
Siosifa Talakai – suspended – round 12
