Nicho Hynes is hopeful of overcoming a quad injury for round one of the NRL, allowing him to partner a "more professional" Braydon Trindall in the halves at Cronulla.
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Hynes pulled up sore at Sharks training during the week, and was withdrawn from the club's final pre-season trial against Canterbury on Friday night.
The injury revived memories of last year's pre-season quad problem for Hynes, the Sharks going on to lose two of their first three games without the 2022 Dally M medallist.
But the 27-year-old is confident he will be fit to face the Warriors in Auckland on March 8.
"It was just a little tweak of the quad," Hynes said.
"It's just not worth risking it at the moment - hopefully I'll be good to go by round one.
"I did a little bit of a trot yesterday so I'll see how I go.
"It was unfortunate because I was feeling good ... It's not too bad."
While the injury is a setback, Hynes and Cronulla have taken confidence from the pre-season performances of halves partner Trindall.
The 24-year-old was player of the match in the All-Stars game last week, and will for the first time start a season as Cronulla's first-choice five-eighth.
Long viewed as the Sharks five-eighth in waiting and with 50 games to his name, Trindall has stepped up since Matt Moylan was released at the end of last season, Hynes said.
"Since day one of pre-season, he's come back with the right attitude and he's way more professional," Hynes said.
"I came (in 2022) and that unfortunately knocked him back a little bit. Then he was in and out, then Moyza was going and then not going.
"That builds resilience and hunger.
"If he was as committed a couple of years ago as he is now, maybe he could have got his shot back then.
"That's no disrespect at all, but he knows he's come in this year and ... if he knuckles down then he's got this spot for a long time."
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said he had also noticed a difference, after Trindall usurped Moylan last year to finish in the No.6 jersey.
"We were never in any doubt that Tricky (Trindall) possessed the tools needed or that he was our long-term solution in the halves," Fitzgibbon said.
"He needed to earn it through his preparation, training and professionalism.
"He was a young guy growing up. He's just moving through that process. For young halves, in particular, it's really hard in the NRL.
"We wanted to make sure he was right at the right age, and prepared for the rigours. So he knocked up 50 games in different positions.
"The odd halfback game, off the bench and whatever, to get him experienced. So when he's ready to go, he's ready.
"To his credit, he's accepted that challenge. ... He's walked in ready to go, he's got some more levels yet."
Australian Associated Press
