Sharks prop Thomas Hazelton ruled out of semi-final after sickening head clash

Sharks front-rower Thomas Hazelton spent a brief period of time motionless on the ground after a sickening head clash with Raiders hooker Tom Starling left him concussed in Saturday night's semi-final, won by Cronulla 32-12.

Hazelton took a hit-up in the first half and came off second best in a head clash with Starling in Canberra.

The Cronulla prop was ruled out after failing a head injury assessment.

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He will therefore not be available for the Sharks' preliminary final against the Storm next Friday night.

Hazelton was attended to on the field by Sharks medical staff before he was able to get to his feet and walk off with assistance.

"That's a total accident," former Sharks captain Paul Gallen said on the Nine broadcast.

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Storm legend Cameron Smith said the match review committee would take a look at the incident given Broncos lock Patrick Carrigan was handed a one-game ban for a careless high tackle on Raiders forward Morgan Smithies.

"Tom Starling flew out of the line, and with what the game is talking about now with defenders showing a duty of care to the ball carrier, they look at this closely," Smith said.