Player swap appears only way Cameron McInnes becomes a Shark in 2021

Cameron McInnes’ shock decision to sign with the Sharks from 2022 blindsided most. So what will it take to see the move fast-tracked for the start of 2021 season?

Cameron McInnes announced last Tuesday that due to the Dragons’ inability to guarantee his future at the club, he was headed to the Sharks.

Cronulla would need to trade or release a player to the Dragons in order to secure Cameron McInnes for the start of the 2021 season.

The after-effect of McInnes’ shock decision to sign with the Sharks from 2022 is about to fester, with the Dragons faced with the possibility of releasing their captain immediately.

McInnes blindsided most when he announced last Tuesday that due to the Dragons’ inability to guarantee his future at the club, he was headed to the Sharks next season on a four-year deal.

The NSW Origin squad member’s decision to sign with the Dragons’ vehement rivals nine months before the expiration of his contract has raised questions over whether McInnes will see out the 2021 season in the Red V.

Cameron McInnes has signed with the Sharks from 2022. Picture: Getty Images

However, several factors would need to unfold for the move to happen.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin‘s desire to sign veteran Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough is one.

“The big thing about having a coach like ”Hook” (Griffin) is that he really knows what he wants, and the style Andrew McCullough plays is something he obviously likes,” St George Illawarra GM of football Ben Haran told NRL.com this week.

Andrew McCullough is being lined up for a move to the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

McInnes is willing to play lock-forward for McCullough to start at hooker, but where does the Dragons captain play if former NSW Origin lock Jack de Belin is acquitted on April 12?

Even if the Dragons were open to releasing their skipper, it‘s understood the Sharks don’t have the salary-cap room to accommodate the hard-nosed leader for the 2021 season.

The Sharks would only be able to entertain the prospect of taking their prized-signing now if a player on their roster was willing to be traded to the Dragons.

The Sharks have the longest off-contract list in the NRL with 15 players without a deal beyond the upcoming season, including Shaun Johnson, Josh Dugan, William Kennedy, Billy Magoulias, Matt Moylan, Toby Rudolf, Siosifa Talakai, Aiden Tolman, Connor Tracey, Braydon Trindall and Aaron Woods.

McInnes made it clear to the press this week that he was committed to Saints while the Sharks told reporters that at no point during their negotiations did they discuss an earlier than contracted arrival.

“As far as I’m concerned we’ve still got another year, a great opportunity, and once it’s all said and done, I’ll be leaving on great terms,’’ McInnes said.

Time will tell.