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Colquhoun keen to repay Sharks' faith after injury toll
Margie McDonald, AAP • February 18th, 2026 5:19 pm
Jesse Colquhoun has just 29 NRL games to his name over four seasons at the Sharks | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
It will be no easy assignment filling the boots of rugged NSW Origin forward, Sharks lock and co-captain Cameron McInnes, but Jesse Colquhoun has put up his hand.
He has been named by coach Craig Fitzgibbon in the No. 13 jersey for this Saturday's final NRL trial against the Canberra Raiders in Gosford.
The 24-year-old has just 29 NRL games to his name over four seasons at the Sharks. That was courtesy of back-to-back foot fractures, then a torn ACL, which all required surgery and limited him to seven games in three years.
It might cause doubt in some if Colquhoun's body can stand up to the rigours of the middle.
But he proved them wrong with 18 games in 2025 after returning in round nine from knee surgery - the last five at starting lock when McInnes himself was outed by an ACL tear.
"At the Sharks no jersey is given, it's earned," Colquhoun said.
"So if I can earn the jersey I'll be comfortable in terms of filling the role, filling his (McInnes') shoes.
Colquhoun is confident he can continue last season's strong form into 2026 | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
"In saying that, Cam and Fitzie have been really good for me in terms of my confidence last year.
"They told me to play my own game.
"I hope to carry that form and confidence from last year to this year and let's see what happens."
Fellow middle Sharks forward Tom Hazleton used to play alongside Colquhoun at the Newtown Jets in NSW Cup, the feeder team for the Sharks.
"He's had a few tough years with his injuries. But he stuck to his rehab and recovery and this year he's probably been one of our best trainers," Hazelton said.
"It's the fittest I've seen him; the strongest I've seen him; and it's a great opportunity for him to once again show our club and the NRL what he's about and what he brings."
Certainly the spate of injuries is not a distant memory but a stark reminder to Colquhoun of what he's made of.
"It's something you have to acknowledge. It's now part of my journey part of my story," he said.
"Other people might want to put it in the back closet and forget about it. But I feel like it's a career-defining moment for me - I look at it as a strength and not a weakness.
"I'd play anywhere in the team but I do like playing lock. I think it suits my style in terms of work rate and you're always in the game.
"I enjoy the toughness and the contact."
A full NRL season will put Colquhoun on the path toward 50 NRL games.
"That would not only mean a lot to me, it would also mean a lot to my family. It hasn't been the easiest journey so to reach 50 would be a great milestone," he said.
"For now I just want to play in this team week-in week-out and do my role."
