The week off has done wonders for the entire Sharks squad, with the bumps and bruises from a demanding 2016 season having a least some opportunity to heal and repair ahead of the preliminary finals clash against the Cowboys on Friday night.
Assisted from the field early in the win over Canberra, backrower Wade Graham has passed all the required concussion tests, meaning he will be ready and raring to go at Allianz on Friday.
The news on Sam Tagataese is also positive, however his status for Friday remains unclear.
Having undergone shoulder surgery some six weeks ago, the hard running prop has progressively improved and has completed all training tasks this week. Whether he is included in the Sharks squad when teams are named later today in unclear, and more importantly it will not be officially known until closer to kick off time if he is likely to take to the field on Friday.
As for the news on Paul Gallen, the Sharks inspirational skipper trained strongly today both on the field and in the gym and is a certain starter against the Cowboys.
The back injury which caused him to withdraw from the Raiders match has settled and healed sufficiently following extensive treatment combined with plenty of rest, with Gallen excited about the challenge ahead.
The only other news to report was concerning boom youngster Valentine Holmes, with the try-scoring winger sitting out today’s field session at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Holmes was suffering a mild case of the flu, with Sharks medical staff not wanting to worsen his condition with a strenuous training run today. The illness isn’t deemed to be serious, with Holmes in no doubt and set to be on deck for the crucial finals match up in three days.
Finally Joseph Paulo was seen to be progressing well with his rehabilitation from a knee injury, running and going through a series of exercises with training and medical staff earlier this morning.
While next to no chance of being fit for Friday, Paulo may throw a selection spanner in the works by being given a clean bill of health for the following week should the Sharks progress through to the Grand Final.
