Injury-plagued Cronulla are sweating on the fitness of Andrew Fifita as they prepare to possibly be without 1000 games worth of NRL experience for their clash with fellow flounderers Penrith.
Fifita is racing the clock after coming from the field with a hamstring injury late in their 30-16 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.
With Aaron Woods (foot), Wade Graham (ankle), Matt Moylan (hamstring) out and skipper Paul Gallen (ribs) in doubt, they could have 1034 games worth of experience sitting in the dugout at PointsBet Stadium on Thursday.
"He had a hamstring complaint, we'll hold our breath on that one with a short turnaround," coach John Morris said.
"Hopefully it's not as bad as what they think.
"I think with him out it takes us to 1000 games of experience sitting on the sideline. Gallen, Graham, Moylan, Woods already out.
"Our depth is going to be tested once again. That's footy, someone will come in and put their hand up hopefully."
Morris said he was hopeful that Gallen would return after he missed a second straight game on Saturday.
Morris refused to sugarcoat the enormity of next week's clash with the Panthers (2-3) after they sank to 2-3 following their sloppy defeat at the hands of a hot-and-cold Roosters.
As it has been throughout the opening five weeks, ball control was their Achilles heel against the Roosters as they repeatedly handed over cheap ball.
The Roosters scored three tries the set following a Sharks mistake and Morris said valuing possession was key to arresting their slide
They now have the second worst completion rate in the competition (68 per cent) and the worst error rate (14 per game).
"I think it's just an individual thing," Morris said.
"I was really disappointed tonight, we had a lot to play for, it was old boys' day, we had a couple of past greats of the club come and speak to the boys before the game.
"They were really tuned in, had a good preparation.
"We haven't got much time to sit around and lick our wounds. We've got Penrith coming at us. It's a huge game on Thursday night, absolutely massive game for two clubs that are desperate."
Australian Associated Press
