Cronulla Sharks receive promising injury news on veteran duo Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis
CRONULLA’s veteran duo Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis were both unable to stay on the field during the Sharks’ elimination final win over Penrith, but the club received a welcome update on Saturday.
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PAUL Gallen has declared he’ll “give it everything I’ve got” in a bid to recover from ligament damage to his shoulder for Friday night’s grand final qualifier with Melbourne.
The inspirational Cronulla captain was visibly distressed and appeared no chance of tackling the Storm after being forced from the field early in the second half of the Sharks’ 21-20 elimination final win over Penrith on Friday night.
However, promising scan results on Saturday showed only ligament damage of which the 325-game warhorse could potentially play with.
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The scans also ruled out any fracture or tear to his rotator cuff, delivering the 37-year-old a glimmer of hope that he could be fit for the biggest game of Cronulla’s season.
Vowing to spend the next 48 hours in rehabilitation-mode, Gallen said that given the magnitude of the AAMI Park blockbuster, he would attempt to push through the pain barrier.
“There’s some pain there which is not ideal, that’s for sure,’’ Gallen said.
“It’s something that I just have to work hard with the physiotherapy team and see where we finish.
“These are the games every player works so hard to play in and I’m no different. I know we’ve got a very special group here.
“One thing I’ll be doing is give it everything I’ve got to play because I know what this team can do.
“It’s good that there’s no fracture, so hopefully it settles down over the next few days.
“It really is just a time thing. Hopefully, time is on my side.’’
If Gallen does run out against the Storm it’s almost certain that he will do so without having trained with the team, as the renowned disciplinarian’s preparation will be spent with his ice machine and physiotherapy.
Gallen’s experience and leadership against the Storm, who will start $1.45 TAB favourites to beat the Sharks ($2.75), is crucial for a Cronulla side already without NSW Origin representatives Wade Graham (knee) and Josh Dugan (shoulder).
Sharks teammate Matt Prior said that if Gallen was ruled out, he and the rest of the forward pack would step up in their skipper’s absence.
“If he was out, it would be obviously a big blow for us,’’ Prior said.
“We’d definitely have to lift to fill that void because he’s such a tireless worker.’’
Meanwhile, the news was also positive for Luke Lewis, who has declared a fairytale ending to his illustrious career remains alive and well.
The Cronulla veteran, who will retire at the end of this season, was forced from the field with a leg injury in the second-half against the Panthers.
However, Lewis was in a much better mood at the Sharks’ recovery session at Caringbah pool on Saturday as he revealed the injury scare was merely a cork in his lower leg and that he’ll be fit to take on Melbourne.
“It was a cork in an awkward spot, where when I would try to take-off it was giving me a sharp pain,’’ Lewis said.
“I knew it was nothing major, but if I kept going I thought it could develop into something more serious.
“I should be back running with the boys on Monday or Tuesday, I’ll definitely be alright for the weekend.’’
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