'No thought in my head': Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes determined to return after second ACL injury
Cronulla have confirmed a devastating blow for Cameron McInnes - but don't expect the tough captain to give up any time soon.
The 31-year-old left the field on Saturday afternoon against the Titans with a knee injury and scans have since revealed a ruptured ACL for the inspirational lock-forward.
It's the second time McInnes has suffered the injury in his career after being forced to sit out the entire 2021 season with the Dragons, before moving to the Sharks.
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Coming back from such a serious injury at any stage is tough, but McInnes has gone through more physical punishment in his 226 first grade appearances to date.
Cameron McInnes in action against Gold Coast Getty
But despite the tough road back to the field that lies ahead, McInnes isn't done yet and will be turning all his attention towards preparing his Sharks teammates for the finals.
"There's no thought in my head that my footy career is over - I've just got to work hard and get back on the field," he told 9News Sydney on Monday.
"Obviously there's all those emotions. I've played a lot of footy and I understand injuries are part of it, so it's bound to happen at some point.
"The last thing you need is for someone's injury to dampen everyone's mood. There's a couple of games until the finals and I want them to be focused and hungry."
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McInnes also explained why he waited until Monday morning to undergo scans.
"It was a weird one - it was my daughter's fifth birthday yesterday," he said.
"I was able to park everything for that day and have a good day ... that was special."
Cameron McInnes speaks to 9News Sydney Nine
McInnes will leave a gaping hole in Cronulla's forward pack for their final two games of the regular season and heading into September.
It will also open the door for a new skipper to be appointed in the short-term, with the likes of Blayke Brailey and Addin Fonua-Blake the likely front-runners.
McInnes said he will be happy to support whoever gets the gig.
"Whoever it is gonna have the full support of everyone and I'll help them the best I can," the former NSW Blues representative said.
