Overview

• Standard ACL reconstruction requires about nine months of rehabilitation, likely ruling McInnes out of early 2026 action.
• This second ACL injury mirrors the tear that sidelined him for the entire 2021 season at St George Illawarra.
• Coach Craig Fitzgibbon must now appoint a new captain and restructure the starting lock and forward rotation ahead of the post-bye fixture.
• The loss deepens an already stretched squad that has lost outside backs Jesse Ramien and Kayal Iro to season-ending injuries and forward Britton Nikora to suspension.
• The Sharks have secured a top-eight berth and enter a bye but confront their finals push without their on-field defensive linchpin.