Late Mail: Team news and changes for NRL preliminary finals
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
PAUL Gallen will fly to Melbourne this afternoon with his Sharks teammates — yet his chances of playing in the preliminary final against the Storm remain uncertain.
Cronulla’s inspirational leader was a willing participant at Shark Park on Thursday morning as the side put the final touches to their preparation ahead of Friday night’s AAMI Park blockbuster.
Gallen, who is battling a shoulder injury, will be given up until kick-off by Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan to prove his fitness.
Gallen has worked around-the-clock to speed-up the recovery of torn ligaments in his shoulder of which he suffered last Friday night against Penrith.
Taking his seat on the plane from Sydney while seemingly positive from the Sharks point-of-view, could also be a ploy by the Cronulla coaching staff to keep arch-rivals Melbourne guessing as to Gallen’s availability.
Representative centre Josh Dugan is also headed to Melbourne, seemingly recovered from his shoulder injury.
Luke Lewis (cork) is in no doubt and will tackle the Storm.
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks
7.50pm Friday at AAMI Park
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenny Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Ryan Hoffman, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Reserves: 18. Brandon Smith, 19. Jahrome Hughes, 20. Sam Kasiano, 21. Cheyse Blair
Players cut: To come
Late Mail: To come
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Edrick Lee, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Scott Sorensen, 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jayson Bukuya
Reserves: 18. Josh Dugan, 19. Ava Seumanufagai, 20. Joseph Paulo, 21. Kyle Flanagan
Players cut: To come
Late Mail: To come