KL Iro of the Sharks is tackled into touch by Xavier Savage of the Raiders. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Cronulla have blown a huge opportunity to move back into the NRL's top four with a painful and potentially fatal 24-20 loss to lowly Canberra.
Star Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall also suffered a dislocated shoulder as the Dolphins held on to the all-important fourth spot with three rounds remaining before the finals.
Cronulla will rue not finding a match-winner despite being camped on Canberra's line, set after set, for the final 10 minutes.
But the Sharks' mounting injury toll will be of equal concern for coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who has now watched his faltering side fumble and bumble their way to consecutive losses to sides well out of finals contention.
Trindall lasted less than 10 minutes before trudging off.
Initial reports were promising, with the shoulder quickly put back in.
But with the Sharks leading 8-0 and looking strong, Fitzgibbon opted not to risk their key playmaker any longer.
It may have been the wrong move as the Raiders wrestled back control and momentum.
Already without suspended forward enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake and injured centre Jesse Ramien, suddenly the Sharks were looking significantly understrength and vulnerable.
The afternoon had started brightly enough for Cronulla, with a Nicho Hynes penalty preceding a lovely chip-and-regather try for Trindall in the fifth minute.
But from 8-0 up, the Sharks lost their way after Trindall was forced off.
First, winger Xavier Savage steamed on to a beautiful long ball from Kaeo Weekes, then Owen Pattie wriggled his way over to suddenly put Canberra ahead 12-8 after 15 minutes.
Things were looking grim for the Sharks when winger Jed Stuart collected a double cut-out pass from Ethan Strange to stroll over and extend the Raiders' lead to 10 points.
But with their top-four hopes — and history would suggest — title prospects on the line, the Sharks regrouped with a much-needed reply from Teig Wilton off a short ball from Nicho Hynes.
