Sharks co-captain Blayke Brailey suffered a suspected broken forearm on Friday night in a massive blow for Cronulla and NSW.
Cronulla’s other co-captain, Cameron McInnes, made a staggering reveal after the Sharks’ 28-22 win over the Sea Eagles.
“One of the physios said as he [Brailey] walked off he put the break back in place himself, without flinching at all,” McInnes said during the Sharks’ post-game press conference.
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The moment Blayke Brailey injured his right forearm on Friday night. Nine
“It’s a painful injury. He’s a tough man and we’re lucky to have him.”
McInnes said it didn’t surprise him at all that Brailey backed up for the Sharks only two days after starring in the Blues’ 22-20 victory in State of Origin I.
“He’s the toughest player I’ve played with, for his size but just for everything,” McInnes said.
Brailey was attempting to tackle Jason Saab during the second half at Shark Park when his right arm collided awkwardly with the Manly winger’s torso.
“You’ve got to feel for the young man,” said Blues legend Andrew Johns on the Nine broadcast.
“He was sensational on Wednesday night.”
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It appears the NSW rookie will be unavailable for selection for game two, in which the Blues will aim to wrap up the series at AAMI Park.
At Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, he set up a try and made 14 tackles after replacing starting hooker Reece Robson in the 50th minute.
He was also brilliant for Cronulla on Friday night, making a line break, setting up a try, racking up 79 run metres and laying 28 tackles in 54 minutes of game time.
“He’s a big person for our team and I think he did so well to come back and play after Origin,” Sharks fullback Will Kennedy told Nine post-match.
“That’s just the sort of bloke he is.
“Hopefully some good news come out of it and hopefully he can come back quick.”
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was visibly dejected for Brailey.
“Hopefully if it is fractured it’s clean and not displaced, so that would minimise the time,” Fitzgibbon said in the press conference.
“But yeah, that’s what it’s looking like.”