NRL 2021: Braydon Trindall adds to the Cronulla Sharks halves dilemma

Craig Fitzgibbon doesn’t officially arrive at Cronulla until November but already one young playmaker is giving the incoming coach a headache — a good one.

The Sharks' Braydon Trindall.

Craig Fitzgibbon doesn’t officially arrive at Cronulla for another three months, but he may already be experiencing a selection headache thanks to Braydon Trindall.

Interim coach Josh Hannay believes Trindall, who has been re-signed until the end of season 2023, is beginning to show the kind of form that could see him get first crack at the No.7 jumper in 2022.

“What we are seeing would certainly lead us all to believe, and I think Craig would be seeing it as well, there’s a good young half in Braydon,” Hannay said.

“And the more opportunity he is getting in first grade, the better he is getting.

“The last couple of months where he has had to step into some really big shoes has been wonderful for his development.

“He’s probably made a lot of people sit back and go, ‘Well this kid, he might be the guy for our future’.

“I think that’s a really good headache for Craig to have coming in next year.”

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Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall has not let his side down.

After moving on Chad Townsend and Shaun Johnson, Fitzgibbon is searching for a new halves pairing. The club has signed Storm utility Nicho Hynes while an injury-prone Matt Moylan has extended until the end of next year.

But Trindall, who has been named in the halves since round 16, is pressing his claims as a potential long-term prospect.

“It would be up to Craig and possibly Darren Mooney, the general manager of football. What I do know about Braydon is, I think his progression this year has been enormous. He’s matured greatly with regard to how he approaches his preparation for every game and how he looks after himself,” Hannay said.

The Sharks have signed Nicho Hynes for 2022, who looks set to start in the halves. Picture: Getty Images.

Trindall and rookie playmaker Luke Metcalf will take the reins in Cronulla’s crucial clash against Brisbane on Saturday evening.

Having started the weekend in eighth spot, a win would ensure they remain in control of their finals destiny.

Moylan was eased back from a calf injury last week against Wests Tigers, playing 19 minutes in his first game since round 15. Hannay said Moylan is likely to double that output against Brisbane.

“I’d be surprised if doesn’t get at least half a game tomorrow. The plan was to give him more time last week but our two young halves were doing such a good job, I was loathe to upset the rhythm they were in.

“Matt feels ready for more time … and we know the class he brings. When he got out there he put on two tries so he’ll be getting more time this week and physically he’s ready for more time as well.”

The Sharks will also have Matt Moylan still in 2022. Picture: Getty Images.

While young gun Luke Metcalf has also impressed in 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

Despite Brisbane’s lowly place on the NRL ladder, Hannay is not taking the Broncos lightly. In particular out-of-favour Anthony Milford, who was back to his best in Brisbane’s win over New Zealand.

“Over the last five weeks, they have really turned a corner and starting to play with much more consistency and playing at a much higher level,” Hannay said.

“He had his best game in a long time last week obviously.

“But I think they are a really talented young football team and everyone just starting to see what the future might look like at Brisbane.

“We’ve spoken about Anthony but there are a number of other good young players that we need to be really good on.”