It has all happened quickly for Adam Clydsdale.
Just over a month ago the Scone Thoroughbreds junior was a Canberra Raiders player. But Cronulla’s decimation of their hooking stocks saw Sharks coach Shane Flanagan make a play for the 24-year-old, with the deal completed hours before the June 30 deadline.
In less than five weeks Clydsdale had made his Sharks debut off the bench in their win over the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night. And he will enjoy a reunion with his former teammates when Cronulla host the Raiders at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday night.
“I’ll take it as another game. Hopefully I’m in the side. I’m looking forward to it,” Clydsdale said.
“Obviously it’s always tough going over [to New Zealand]. It [was nice to get the call up so soon]. I think it’s my fifth week [here] now, it’s gone pretty quick.
“It was a good way to come in with a win [against the Warriors]. All the boys have been good and I’m starting to get all the plays.”
Clydsdale made his NRL debut with Newcastle in 2013 after coming through the Knights’ junior representative program and joined Cronulla with the blessing of Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
With Jayden Brailey (jaw), Daniel Mortimer (Leigh) and Manaia Cherrington (New Zealand) all absent for Cronulla, James Segeyaro’s return from a broken arm came at the right time for the Sharks, with the addition of Clydsdale to restore Cronulla’s depth at hooker.
Meanwhile, there was good news about Fa’amanu Brown’s recovery from his heavy head knock against the Warriors.
Brown was released from an Auckland hospital and traveled home with the team on Saturday, though it is unclear whether he will be fit to face the Raiders.
“He has undergone all the protocols and at this stage he is fine,” Flanagan said.
“He hasn’t experienced any side effects and hasn’t had any headaches either, which is a good sign.”