NRL

Braydon Trindall is on track to make his return in Week 1 of the NRL finals in a huge boost to Cronulla’s premiership hopes.

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The Sharks playmaker has been sidelined since dislocating his shoulder while scoring a try against Canberra in Round 24, with the injury initially creating fears his season could be over.

Scans ultimately provided more encouraging news, allowing Cronulla to pursue a rehabilitation program rather than immediately sending Trindall for season-ending surgery.

According to CODE Sports, that recovery is progressing well and Trindall is now pencilled in to return for the opening week of the finals.

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The development provides Cronulla with some much-needed certainty around one of its most important players as Craig Fitzgibbon prepares his side for another September campaign.

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Trindall has established himself as a crucial part of the Sharks’ attack alongside Nicho Hynes, making the prospect of having their first-choice halves combination reunited for the finals a significant boost.

Niwhai Puru has stepped into the halves during Trindall’s absence and will continue to fill the void while the Sharks give their star five-eighth the time required to recover.

Cronulla still has important work ahead over the remainder of the regular season, currently sitting in fifth place and fighting for a top-four finish with two games remaining.

After initial concerns his shoulder injury could bring his 2026 campaign to a premature end, Trindall is now on course to return at exactly the time Cronulla will need him most.

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