CRONULLA have used 36 players in this NRL season and have 17 contracted footballers unavailable for the clash on Monday night against North Queensland at Townsville.
They have lost two more players for the season with young five-eighth Fa'amanu Brown (knee) and centre Jonathan Wright, suspended for two matches for a dangerous throw charge against Canberra. Neither will play again this season.
The Sharks will decide their "18th man" using a player from their under-20s squad as back-up for the Cowboys game.
Cronulla has been able to switch the under-20s game against the Cowboys to Saturday night at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville, so they can have an 18th man option to help the NRL squad on Monday night
Injuries, retirements and the ASADA bans have reduced their playing stocks.
The struggling Cronulla side has been allotted a start of 30.5 points start with Tabsportsbet.
Tabsportsbet spokesman Glenn Munsie said not since 1999 has a team been given a start as big as this.
"The largest start ever given was 42.5 for Western Suburbs against Melbourne in Round 24 that year. Melbourne won 44-14," Munsie said.
SHARKS
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Blake Ayshford, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Daniel Holdsworth, Jeff Robson (capt), Tim Robinson, Michael Lichaa, Matt Prior, Tinirau Arona, Tupou Sopoaga, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Pat Politoni, Junior Roqica, Sione Masima, Scott Sorensen.
Can the depleted Sharks outgun the Cowboys?
See a gallery of the Sharks vs Raiders game: http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2509719/gallery-sharks-club-rallies-after-year-in-hell/?cs=3761
