Cronulla are set for more disruption on their leaky left edge after rookie back-rower Jesse Colquhoun received a one-match ban for dangerous contact.
In the opening minutes of the Sharks' 30-26 loss to Manly on Sunday, Colquhoun was penalised for entering a tackle late and twisting the leg of Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka.
Paseka left the field injured after the tackle and did not return.
On Monday morning, the match review committee charged Colquhoun, who was playing only his seventh first-grade game, with grade-two dangerous contact.
A one-match ban was proposed, with the risk of that suspension extending to two weeks if Colquhoun challenges the charge at the judiciary.
The ban is the latest blow to the sixth-placed Sharks, who are in damage control as they attempt to tighten their left edge.
Against Manly, coach Craig Fitzgibbon dropped Matt Moylan and benched Siosifa Talakai after the edge's woeful defensive showing in a hefty round-20 loss to the Warriors but the selection changes counted for little.
Five of the Sea Eagles' six tries on Sunday came down the Sharks' left edge.
Regular left second-rower Teig Wilton suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Warriors clash and his mid-game replacement Wade Graham missed the Manly loss to recover from a toe problem.
Colquhoun was Cronulla's third choice to fill the problem role, and given he is now unavailable for at least next week's clash against ladder-leaders Penrith, the Sharks' depth is in for another stiff test.
Lose to the high-flying Panthers, whose talisman Nathan Cleary will be attacking on the Sharks' left, and Cronulla could fall out of the top eight.
The Sharks have not yet confirmed Graham's return date, so Talakai could be recalled to play second row. Jack Williams is another option.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has been handed a $1000 fine, escaping suspension for his trip on Manly centre Tolu Koula.
