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Recruit Nigel Vagana remains the Sharks' only concern before the National Rugby League kickoff in a fortnight after internationals Phil Bailey and Jason Stevens survived a marathon trial hitout at Port Macquarie.
Bailey successfully came back from off-season surgery on a foot injury with a solid 70 minute hitout while Stevens returned from a knee injury with a 65 minute burst Saturday night.
But Sharks coach Stuart Raper's eyes were on Vagana as the NRL season proper loomed.
The New Zealand international was initially expected to return from shoulder surgery for the Sharks in "round one or two" of the season but Raper today admitted Vagana's progress was slower than first thought.
"It's probably a bit hard to say (when he will return)," Raper said today.
"I don't think he'll be right for the first game but we are hoping (he'll be back) by the third round."
Raper did have some anxious moments during the Sharks' final pre-season hit-out before their NRL opener on March 13 against the Wests Tigers.
Besides Stevens and teammate Andrew Lomu suffering cuts, Raper had his heart in his mouth as the Sharks went within a whisker of losing their third and final trial match for the night, against hosts Port Macquarie.
A full strength Sharks played three 35 minute trials last night, smashing Coffs Harbour 44-0 and Wingham 46-0 before Port Macquarie kept them honest.
Raper - preparing for his first season at the Sharks helm after replacing former Test coach Chris Anderson - looked on as his side bombed try after try before squeezing past Port Macquarie 12-10.
While Stevens and Lomu suffered cuts during the gruelling workout, both only needed stitches and are expected to be fit for the Sharks' season opener at Telstra Stadium.
They chimed into a full-strength Sharks outfit that also boasted the likes of David Peachey, Brett Kimmorley, Danny Nutley and Nathan Merritt.
"They played through a fairly intense period and came through pretty well," Raper said of the trials.
"Stevens just a head split that's all, just a few stitches, there's no dramas there at all.
"Everyone's come through unscathed although we have a few bumps and bruises.
"It's just two weeks out from our first game, and Nigel's the only one who will be unavailable for the first one."
Raper said there were some anxious moments when Stevens "had a bit of claret on his melon" but didn't regret exposing his full strength outfit in a country trial.
"You've got to play your games, you can train as hard as you like but you'll never get that match fitness - I`m pretty happy, we've come through fairly well.
"There's obviously a few things we've got to keep working on but it will evolve and improve as the year goes on."
Bailey successfully came back from off-season surgery on a foot injury with a solid 70 minute hitout while Stevens returned from a knee injury with a 65 minute burst Saturday night.
But Sharks coach Stuart Raper's eyes were on Vagana as the NRL season proper loomed.
The New Zealand international was initially expected to return from shoulder surgery for the Sharks in "round one or two" of the season but Raper today admitted Vagana's progress was slower than first thought.
"It's probably a bit hard to say (when he will return)," Raper said today.
"I don't think he'll be right for the first game but we are hoping (he'll be back) by the third round."
Raper did have some anxious moments during the Sharks' final pre-season hit-out before their NRL opener on March 13 against the Wests Tigers.
Besides Stevens and teammate Andrew Lomu suffering cuts, Raper had his heart in his mouth as the Sharks went within a whisker of losing their third and final trial match for the night, against hosts Port Macquarie.
A full strength Sharks played three 35 minute trials last night, smashing Coffs Harbour 44-0 and Wingham 46-0 before Port Macquarie kept them honest.
Raper - preparing for his first season at the Sharks helm after replacing former Test coach Chris Anderson - looked on as his side bombed try after try before squeezing past Port Macquarie 12-10.
While Stevens and Lomu suffered cuts during the gruelling workout, both only needed stitches and are expected to be fit for the Sharks' season opener at Telstra Stadium.
They chimed into a full-strength Sharks outfit that also boasted the likes of David Peachey, Brett Kimmorley, Danny Nutley and Nathan Merritt.
"They played through a fairly intense period and came through pretty well," Raper said of the trials.
"Stevens just a head split that's all, just a few stitches, there's no dramas there at all.
"Everyone's come through unscathed although we have a few bumps and bruises.
"It's just two weeks out from our first game, and Nigel's the only one who will be unavailable for the first one."
Raper said there were some anxious moments when Stevens "had a bit of claret on his melon" but didn't regret exposing his full strength outfit in a country trial.
"You've got to play your games, you can train as hard as you like but you'll never get that match fitness - I`m pretty happy, we've come through fairly well.
"There's obviously a few things we've got to keep working on but it will evolve and improve as the year goes on."
