August 15, 2026 — 5:11pmCronulla’s title tilt has been dealt a serious blow with five-eighth Braydon Trindall suffering a dislocated shoulder as they surrendered a spot in the top four.The Sharks had high hopes of getting their run to the finals back on track after defeat to the last-placed Dragons six days ago.Instead, they lost their best player in the opening stages and failed to overcome his absence, falling 24-20 to Canberra on a chilly afternoon at Ocean Protect Stadium.Cronulla had every opportunity to complete a come-from-behind victory but could not take advantage of a deluge of possession near the Raiders’ line as full-time loomed.Their second consecutive loss and first in seven at home leaves them in fifth spot, two points behind the Dolphins with three games remaining.They have a very winnable schedule, with matches against the Gold Coast, Parramatta and Melbourne, all out of finals contention, but may have to cope without Trindall.Joseph Tapine scores for Canberra.Getty ImagesAlready missing outgoing centre Jesse Ramien for the rest of the year after he underwent pectoral surgery, the 27-year-old leaves a huge gulf in the Sharks line-up.They will get NSW front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake back from suspension next week but face a major test if they are without Trindall for a stretch of time.Trindall knew he was in trouble the second he grounded his own kick to post the first try of the game after just six minutes.Trindall suffers a shoulder injury on Saturday.Getty ImagesMoments later he was being escorted from the field with a trainer supporting his right arm.The shoulder was promptly popped back into place in the Sharks dressing-room and Trindall re-appeared and took a seat on the Cronulla bench.He didn’t return to the game, though, and the injury shapes as a big concern for Craig Fitzgibbon’s team as the finals edge closer.Trindall’s influence at the Sharks has never been greater. Far from just taking pressure off halfback Nicho Hynes, the No.6 has been Cronulla’s most important attacking asset this season.He leads the competition in try assists with 32 – six clear of Nathan Cleary – and set one up for himself on Saturday.It was little surprise then that the hosts struggled to recalibrate, with Hynes forced to assume greater responsibility as the lone playmaker.The Raiders, with the benefit of the wind behind them, scored 18 unanswered points in the 28 minutes that followed, the highlight a Jed Stuart try from a glorious Ethan Strange cut-out pass that the winger’s father would have been proud of.Cronulla weren’t short on chances but didn’t have the clinical touch until Blayke Brailey’s smart ball to Teig Wilton split the Canberra defence just before half-time.Will Kennedy capitalised on an error by opposite number Kaeo Weekes to give the Sharks the lead after the break but it lasted only six minutes, with Raiders captain Joseph Tapine charging over for his first four-pointer of the year.Cronulla appeared as though they might pull off an escape, particularly when Ronaldo Mulitalo reached out for the line while on his back.But the winger was ruled by the bunker to have planted the ball down a fraction short.The desperate Raiders, playing like anything but a team that has all but certainly done its dash this season, hung on.Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners