Teig Wilton's job as bodyguard for Cronulla playmaker Braydon Trindall has become even more important as the Sharks seek to go deeper into the 2026 NRL finals series.
Wilton topped the tackle count for the Sharks with 42 against North Queensland in the elimination final win, which is no mean feat with NSW Blues No.9 Blayke Brailey (38) in the side.
"Brails is always punching above his weight in the middle there so it was nice to get one up on him," Wilton told AAP.
A majority of those tackles were for would-be defenders heading for Trindall's right shoulder, which he dislocated four weeks ago.
The 26-16 win over the Cowboys was Trindall's first game back and it was no secret his fitness was going to be tested. Several times he got to his feet shaking his right arm, as if trying to keep the movement in the joint going.
"It wasn't too much different for me tonight. 'Tricky' is in pretty good shape so you could see he's still a strong defender," Wilton said.
"There was that tackle with his inside shoulder where he forced an error, so he's no passenger.
"I've just got to do my job – I'm not worried about him being able to hold his own because I know he can.
"I got a lot of confidence from training last week because Tricky was hit pretty hard in our contact session to test himself.
"If you look at him, he's got rocky boulder shoulders anyway. He's in pretty good nick and he told us that he was fine."
Still, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon knows the value of Wilton in the defensive line especially as a wounded Trindall will continue to be a target with each final. North Queensland made a beeline for him early.
"They tried – the first set they went down that channel three times in that set," Fitzgibbon said.
"He's got a pretty good back-rower next to him, who gets there pretty often."
Wilton planned on putting his feet up, before the Sharks launched into their analysis and preparation for Saturday night's clash against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
The 26 year old is into his seventh season with Cronulla, making his debut in 2020.
He played in all three finals in 2024 and 2025, when the Sharks made it to the preliminary final both years.
And he liked what he saw in the 10-point win over the Cowboys last weekend.
"Overall happy with a gritty win. We had to hold on there ... they're a dangerous side," Wilton added.
"We felt them coming in the end so we're happy we kept showing up for each other."
