King injury likely to force Sharks spine reshuffle

Rookie Sharks halves Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall may be drafted in to back up first-choice No.9 Jayden Bailey following the knee injury suffered by Cameron King on Saturday night.

King was assisted from the field during Canterbury's 30-18 win over Cronulla with what appeared a serious knee injury.

The chance of King being ruled out for an extended period had Sharks coach John Morris already thinking of where the back-up for Brailey would come from with Round 1 of the NRL season just three weeks away.

Tracey and Trindall were impressive in a young and inexperienced Sharks side that led the Bulldogs until the last 10 minutes of the historic NRL trial at the National Football Stadium.

With no other cover for Brailey at dummy half, one of either Trindall or Tracey will come under consideration for a bench spot.

In brighter news for the club, second-rower Scott Sorensen and young props Toby Rudolf, Royce Hunt and Franklin Pele enhanced their chances of playing first grade in 2020 with strong performances against Canterbury.

"We had to pull in a couple of guys who aren't even in our full-time squad just to make up the numbers and it looks like we picked up a serious injury to Cam King so we cross our fingers that it's not as bad as what we think it is," Morris said.

"We want to get out of these games without any injuries so that is the downside of what has been a wonderful experience."

Sorensen, who has played 25 NRL matches, was the most experienced player in the Cronulla side beaten 30-18 by a more experienced Canterbury side after conceding three tries in the last 10 minutes.

He said the experience of playing before a crowd of 10,213 would be one the team would never forget.

"It was amazing atmosphere and energy from the first minute to the 80th minute," Sorensen said.

"We had quite a few young boys and it is definitely an experience they will take with them for the rest of their lives.

"We have been here a few days and we have enjoyed getting out and meeting people, there have been lots of smiles and we have had a great time.

"Getting around the field at the end there and taking a few photos, there was actually a sign at the end that said 'Sharks army until I die', so it was good to see that we have a bit of support here."

The match had special significance for 20-year-old Sharks forward Connor Luhan as he has family ties in Papua New Guinea.