While all will be confirmed later tonight, the Sharks are set to debut their 546th NRL player with young speedster Luke Metcalf called up into the Cronulla squad for the game against Manly.
Originally from Coffs Harbour, Metcalf played through the Sharks junior rep system, before spending three years at the Sea Eagles, the 22-year-old then returning to the Cronulla club on a Development contract ahead of the 2021 season.
A half back who has transitioned into being equally as capable as a fullback in recent seasons, Metcalf was a leading light for the Newtown Jets earlier this year before the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup shut down, scoring seven tries and kicking 13 goals in nine matches.
Before his switch to Manly, Metcalf helped guide the Sharks to the SG Ball grand final in 2017, where he topped the competition point-scorers’ list, scoring 138 of the Sharks’ 320 regular-season tally, and was then picked in the NSW Under-18s side that same year, scoring a hat-trick in the Blues’ 35-28 victory over Queensland at ANZ Stadium.
He then switched the Manly club where he spent a frustrating three years interrupted by injury, suffering a ruptured ACL and a season on the sideline, before the 2020 NSW Cup COVID shut down also limited his opportunities.
With the loss of Jesse Ramien due to illness, Metcalf is set to be added to the Sharks 17-man team to tackle Manly at Suncorp Stadium later tonight.
Where and how he will be used has yet to be revealed, with Metcalf's blinding speed to potentially be an asset to the Sharks side in the match against one of the competition heavyweights.
Sharks v Manly Late Mail, announced one hour before kickoff, will unveil the final make up of the Cronulla team.
