THE Sharks have suffered a huge blow leading into Saturday’s must-win clash against Parramatta with co-captain Paul Gallen ruled out with a foot injury.

After losing their opening two matches, Cronulla will now have to try and notch their opening victory for the season without one of their primary go-forward weapons.

The Eels are also desperate to open their account and bounce back from the round two 54-0 demolition job against archrivals Manly.

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Round 20

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will have to decide between Kurt Dillon and Jack Williams as the player who comes into Cronulla’s game day 17.

Dillon, 23, is the club’s former green keeper who once collected garbage and marked lines at Southern Cross Stadium.

Williams is a Cooma product who won the Canberra Raiders under 20s player of the year in 2016.

The absence of the experienced Gallen is a huge blow for a pack already missing 2016 Clive Churchill medallist Luke Lewis.