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Sharks fans rocked as Cameron McInnes news leaves Craig Fitzgibbon with huge call
The Cronulla Sharks will have to continue their top four surge without influential lock Cameron McInnes after the forward ruptured his ACL in the win over the Gold Coast Titans. Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes tore a depleted-Titans side apart on Saturday having smashed their rivals 54-22 in front of their home crowd.
The Sharks have struggled for consistency in 2025, but Hynes and Trindall showed the damage they can do when linking up with their outside backs. However, coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be ruing the loss of his captain with scans revealing the lock is in for a long recovery.
"Sharks captain Cameron McInnes faces a lengthy recovery period after scans on Monday confirmed a ruptured ACL," a Sharks statement said. McInnes will miss the remainder of the season and will most likely miss the start of the 2026 season.
This is the second ACL rupture of the 31-year-old's career having done his other knee when playing for the Dragons in 2021. McInnes' injury is a massive blow to the Sharks and their hopes of winning the NRL premiership.
The workhorse played State of Origin Game 1 last year having been rewarded for his defensive efforts. McInnes currently holds the record for most tackles in a single NRL game. The lock currently sits third on the list for most tackles this season. Teammate Blayke Brailey currently leads the way.
Tellingly, coach Fitzgibbon has never selected another current player at lock in a premiership game, while having McInnes available. The coach relies on his captain, but admitted it was an opportunity for someone else to stamp their mark.
"It'll be an opportunity for someone else to step up as a leader," Fitzgibbon said when expecting McInnes would miss the remainder of the season. Unfortunately, the Sharks will also finish their regular season without second-rower Briton Nikora after the star copped a three-game ban last week.
Horrible news with scans confirming Cameron McInnes suffered an ACL rupture in Round surgery & 9 months recovery - is the 2nd ACL reconstruction of McInnes' career. Likely to have a delayed start to season 2026 which kicks off in 7 months least the 13th ACL…
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 18, 2025
Sharks' NRL final hopes take huge blow
The Sharks snapped their finals losing streak last year having defeated the Cowboys in the semi-finals. However, they went on to lose to Penrith 26-6 in the preliminary finals. This means the Sharks have only won one game in their last nine finals appearances.
And the side sitting in seventh will be hoping this year is different as they make a late push up the ladder. The Sharks have the opportunity to still reach the top four in 2025 with two wins from their next two games.
Fitzgibbon's men have a bye this round, which will see them gain two points and momentarily jump into fourth depending on other results. And Fitzgibbon will be forced to select a new captain for the run home.
Hynes has filled in as captain before, while Teig Wilton has done the same in recent seasons. Although Fitzgibbon's first decision will be who will replace McInnes. Hohepa Huru could move straight from the bench and into the starting side at 13, while fans might be excited to see Jesse Colquhoun take up the role for the remaining few games of the regular season.
Unfortunate news for Cam McInnes I believe its time to make Jesse Colhoooon our starting 13In fact id also name him captain Id even re name the club as the Cronulla Colhoooons Go all in
— SuthoDan (@suthodan) August 17, 2025
The Cam McInnes injury is just starting to kick in for me. From a team and individual perspective. I'm a big admirer of his work, and him as a person. I wish him all the best 🦈 #UpUp
— SharkCast 🦈 (@sharkcastpod) August 16, 2025
