The Cronulla Sharks' victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs has been overshadowed by a hamstring injury to halfback Braydon Trindall.
The playmaker left the contest with 11 minutes remaining in a blow to a Sharks side already without first choice halfback Nicho Hynes.
While the severity of Trindall's injury is yet to be confirmed, Cronulla medical staff are optimistic it is not serious.
Should he face a stint on the sidelines, Mawene Hiroti and Niwhai Puru could be in the mix for a call up for next week's clash with the Titans.
The injury came at the back end of a gritty 20-6 victory over South Sydney.
For Cronulla it was a crucial result, having won just two of their previous eight matches heading into the clash. While they weren't perfect, the two points ensured the Sharks remain inside the top four and ahead of a chasing pack.
Kayal Iro Try
As for the Rabbitohs, they entered the match with a golden opportunity to climb up the ladder and keep their finals hopes alive after losses by the Broncos, Dolphins and Warriors earlier in the weekend.
The defeat is another blow to their top-eight chances and they now sit six points outside the eight in 15th place.
The added motivation saw South Sydney desperate to start well and fullback Jye Gray ensured they hit the front early with a try in the 6th minute.
Jye Gray Try
Cronulla hit back through a Sione Katoa try before the match entered a tense arm wrestle.
Both sides generated attacking opportunities, however untimely errors proved costly in their efforts to break the deadlock.
Sione Katoa Try
Eventually the Rabbitohs hit the front late in the half through a penalty goal to head to the sheds leading 6-4.
Cronulla winger Sam Stonestreet had been denied twice by the bunker in the opening 40, but he was not going to be denied a third time and crossed in the corner to put his side up shortly after the break.
Samuel Stonestreet Try
The youngster was forced off for an HIA midway through the second half, but the Sharks did not skip a beat, with Sifa Talakai slotting into the left edge and laying the platform for a Trindall try.
The four-pointer put the hosts up 14-6 and they didn't look back, Kayal Iro sealing the win with a 65th-minute try.
Match: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Round 22 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Match Snapshot
- Cronulla winger Sione Katoa has now scored seven tries in six games against the Rabbitohs
- Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes was placed on report in the 7th minute. Winger Sam Stonestreet was put on report for a dangerous tackle on Jye Gray early in the second half.
- South Sydney's Taane Milne was placed on report for a high tackle in the 65th minute.
- The win ensured the Sharks claimed home and away victories against the Rabbitohs for the first time since 2008.
- South Sydney have now won just two of their past ten games at PointsBet Stadium.
Play of the Game
Braydon Trindall Try
What They Said
Rabbitohs: Round 22
Sharks: Round 22