Rugby League immortal Andrew Johns has implored players to target injured opposition stars during finals matches.
Cronulla Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall was clearly not at 100 per cent on his return from a shoulder injury during the elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys.
He is expected to play through the pain as the Sharks take on the Sydney Roosters in their semi-final on Saturday.
Penrith Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary is also harbouring an injury heading further into finals. During his match against the Sydney Roosters last week, he seemed to be dealing with a stress-related foot injury. This affected his kicking, and he will most definitely not be 100 per cent when Penrith play their preliminary final in two weeks.
The Panthers have confirmed they expect Cleary to play, but at this time of year, that could mean a multitude of things as to what a players health actually is.
During Nine's broadcast of Freddy and The Eighth, this week, Andrew Johns posed a question to his co-host Brad Fittler.
“If you're coaching against Nathan, are you telling your players to stand on it and stomp on it? Every scrum, stand on it,” Johns said.
Brad Fittler left no surprise to his answer.
“Do whatever you can,” he said in response.
Like Trindall, Cleary will be playing through his foot pain and will be looking to take the Panthers to the grand final.
Trindall is an enormous factor for Cronulla; he represents the Sharks' hopes for finals and must play if the Sharks are to have any hope of the premiership.
He has a staggering 30 try assists this year, and there is little coincidence the Sharks form fell off a cliff during the final weeks of the season with him sidelined.
Cleary has also had a monstrous year, and Penrith will be glad for the week off to try and get him ready to go.
The Penrith half isn't the only player battling, with lock forward Isaah Yeo playing the finals series through a pectoral muscle injury.
Trindall spent much of the game against the Cowboys defending out of the way on the wing, but Fittler believes that in itself could be exploited.
“You've got to bring some tactics in, not just to get him to tackle, but try and get him to be out of position,” he said.
“If you've got Marky Mark [Nawaqanitawase] or Daniel Tupou on him and he's on the wing ... don't worry about his shoulder, just get him out of position.”
