Tom Dearden’s frustration was palpable after he was sin-binned during a heavy defeat against the Sharks, particularly as he was bleeding from a laceration on his face. The Cowboys half-back had attempted to chase down Braydon Trindall when he was penalised for holding on longer than necessary with 21 minutes to go. Video replays indicated that Dearden’s injury was sustained from a head clash caused by a high tackle from Trindall earlier in the match.
Although commentator Brenton Speed supported the decision to sin-bin Dearden, Brad Fittler, discussing the incident on Nine, contended that Trindall should have faced similar repercussions for his head contact. Fittler noted that Trindall was merely carrying the ball when he collided with Dearden, suggesting he had not anticipated the clash.
This match marked a significant milestone for Dearden, as it was his 100th game with the Cowboys, yet it quickly turned into a disappointing occasion. The Sharks established an overwhelming first-half lead of 26-0 at Shark Park, with Ronaldo Mulitalo contributing two tries to their commanding performance.
Following the interval, the Cowboys managed to score through Griffin Neame, appearing to spark some contest into the game. However, the Sharks maintained clear control throughout, ultimately securing a 32-12 victory, with Cam McInnes and Braidon Burns adding the final tries for their respective teams. Addin Fonua-Blake was recognised for his outstanding performance, receiving the Paul Green medal for player of the match.