‘Real concern’ for Sharks star as Titans demolition boosts double chance hopes

Death by kicking looks as pleasant as it sounds, just ask the Gold Coast Titans.

The wooden spooners in waiting had no answers against the Sharks on Saturday afternoon, copping a booting to the tune of a 54-22 shellacking.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

MATCH CENTRE: Sharks vs Titans live score

At a time where the art of kicking contests has come under heavy scrutiny, the Sharks provided a first half masterclass with four of their first five tries involving kicks.

Braydon Trindall was the chief inflictor, whose kicks directly led to two tries, including a career first for Jesse Colquhoun, and forced several more errors.

If kicking shortened the Titans up by half-time, the pomp and circumstance of the Sharks in the second 40 was a matter of dancing on their graves as wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa enjoyed a brace of tries each.

Sharks five-eighth Nicho Hynes also enjoyed a first half double, and off the back of a second half blitz, a respectable 22 points by game’s end.

BIG HITS

SKIPPER’S SETBACK

Unfortunately, the win came at a cost, with Sharks captainCam McInnes not returning after suffering a 20th minute knee injury.

McInnes walked up the tunnel and appeared very frustrated.

“His knee is on ice... It’s a real concern,” Lara Pitt reported on Fox League.

BACK ON TRACK

The 32-point win has put the Sharks’ naysayers at bay, at least temporarily.

By righting the wrongs of their last start local derby loss to the Dragons, the Sharks maintained their place in finals reckoning and will next week enjoy the spoils of the bye.

They will have plenty of time to work on their lapses of concentration, with the 22 points conceded sure to come under the microscope.

The Titans threatened early, and added some respect to the final scoreline with two tries in the final eight minutes in a sign that the Sharks are still a long way off the complete package.

HEART AND SOUL

If you can believe it, the Titans were in control for the opening quarter of proceedings.

Up 10-6, Kieran Foran had momentarily turned back the clock and AJ Brimson was in full flight, but at their best Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui remained their heart and soul.

With conjecture over his future beyond 2026 dominating the headlines, Fa’asuamaleaui let his football do the talking in the first half and showcased why the likes of St George Illawarra and the incoming Perth Bears are contemplating historic contracts for the star forward.

The Sharks’ onslaught coincided with the end of Fa’asuamaleaui’s first shift, and continued when he was sent for a head injury assessment in the opening stages of the second half.

INJURIES/CHARGES

Sharks

Cam McInnes (knee)

Follow all the action in our live blog below! Can’t see the blog? CLICK HERE

Click here to read article