The Cronulla Sharks are confident the looming return of halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall will enhance, rather than disrupt, a winning formula in the run to the finals.
The Sharks have been rattled by injuries throughout the season, with playmakers Hynes and Trindall each spending multiple stints on the sidelines this year.
But while some sides struggle without their halves, Cronulla have managed to enjoy considerable success with the pair absent. The results have left many outsiders scratching their heads but prop Tom Hazelton put it down to a simple style and a desire not to overthink things.
All Tries – Titans v Sharks
"It's not back to the drawing board, it's about simplifying [our structure]," Hazelton said. "If you go back to our best games, what's worked for us is just how simple our game plan has been.
"We tried to simplify it again last week and it paid off for us."
Hynes has missed seven games throughout the season, with the Sharks winning five matches without the representative halfback. The playmaker fractured his leg at training in July and is hoping to return to the field before the end of the regular season.
Cronulla's record without Trindall is just as impressive, winning five from six without the 25-year-old.
The Sharks were forced to play without both Trindall and Hynes last week, with Blayke Brailey shifting to halfback as a temporary solution. While many didn't give Cronulla a chance, the side claimed a dominant 44-0 victory over the Titans.
Brailey on how the Sharks planned around their missing stars
Daniel Atkinson has been superb in 13 games this season, helping the Sharks to nine wins throughout that span and ensuring the team does not skip a beat without their starting halves.
They are now 2-0 without both of their starting halves in 2024 and have their sights on a third win when they face the Knights on Sunday.
Jack Williams Try
Trindall has been named in the extended squad for the clash but officials are likely to take a cautious approach to his return from a hamstring injury to ensure he does not aggravate it before the finals.
Forward Jack Williams said the challenge for the pack is to ensure they maintain their current level when Trindall and Hynes return so the duo can slide straight back in and build on a winning foundation.
"Hopefully when we get those guys back they can see [the simple style] and let us middles do our job," Williams said. "Then we can play off the back of that and hopefully get the best out of them too.
"If we can get the ruck flowing for them, it will let them do what they've got to do. We've seen the way they play, they're more instinctive players. If we can get them flowing, it will be good to see."
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Knights
10th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The Sharks appear to have come out the other side of a worrying mid-season slump, having now won two in a row after a stretch of six losses from eight games.
They currently sit fourth with four rounds remaining and are desperate to remain in the top four to guarantee a second chance in the finals.
The return of Hynes and Trindall will help, but Hazelton said the side's results without their star halves highlight the team effort required to taste success in the finals.
Titans v Sharks – Round 23, 2024
"It's up to everyone that's coming here every week to make sure they're in the right mindset, preparing as best they can," he said. "So when things like this happen, we're ready for it.
"As the year goes on, everyone's improving. We just have to keep getting better every week and we're going to have to be at our best to get the job done this weekend. Newcastle have a lot to play for as well."
