This season will be the last in the NRL for co-captain and fierce competitor Cameron McInnes

Cronulla Sharks take on the high-flying Sea Eagles at Ocean Protect Stadium at 8pm on Friday amid news this will be the final season in the NRL for co-captain Cameron McInnes.

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McInnes, who has recently returned from an ACL injury, will head to England to play for the York Knights in the English Super League from 2027.

McInnes, 32, has played 13 seasons and more than 230 games in the NRL at three clubs, starting with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, before moving to the St George Illawarra Dragons and on to the Sharks.

Friday night's game will be crucial for the Sharks as they look to move into the top eight with another big performance following their 38-16 win over the Bulldogs.

Manly, who have been transformed under new coach Kieran Foran, are in fourth position on the competition ladder, while the Sharks are ninth.

Sutherland Sharks FC versus NWS Spirit FC at Seymour Shaw Stadium. Picture Football NSW

STUNNING STRIKE 

In wet and difficult conditions at Seymour Shaw Stadium, the Sutherland Sharks edged NWS Spirit FC 1-0, with Richard Shoueiki's stunning second-half strike the difference in a tightly contested encounter.

It was a quality 30-yard effort into the bottom corner across the rain-soaked pitch for the only goal of an entertaining and tough fixture.

It was 45 minutes of football dominated for large portions by the visitors, albeit Sutherland were minus some notable absentees, yet they couldn't find the back of the net as the home side scrambled in defence.

Neither goalkeeper was forced into a save, although Danijel Nizic, for the home side, saw more of the ball than his counterpart.

NWS Spirit FC dominated the opening 10 minutes and could have found themselves two goals to the good when Kaan Nizam had a shot cleared off the line and the returning Corey Kavanagh slipped a shot from outside the box narrowly wide on an increasingly slippery surface as the rain lashed down.

In fact, they were the side that mastered the conditions the quickest and displayed excellent passing skills, with almost inch-perfect balls played in over the top.

The closest Sutherland came to a goal was from a free kick floated into the back post for Thijs van Amerongen to attempt to head home, but stout defending saw the ball loop up nicely for Christopher Marques, the Spirit goalkeeper, who had been a virtual spectator until this point, and he gladly clutched the ball tightly to his chest to alleviate the danger.

Grant Cornwell found himself in the book as the only caution, which, considering the weather, was a decent return, although the tackling toward the end of the first half became fiercer as expected, mainly in the centre of the park, with nothing too close or within range of goal. There was a lot riding on the outcome of this fixture and neither side wanted to create the mistake that could decide the match in a physical encounter.

Spirit pushed and the Sharks battled, yet the match remained scoreless at the break. The rain slowly abated but the pitch remained greasy for both sides.

Ryley Hollingdale replaced Yuto Kokuryo at the break for Sutherland in the only change leading into the second half. The Sharks looked to cut off the midfield supply that had plagued them in the opening stanza.

Sutherland looked more dangerous after the break but were still to carve out a clear-cut opportunity despite their efforts.

It would take something special to break the deadlock, and so it was when Shoueiki fired home from 30 yards out into the bottom corner for the home side. A sweeter strike would be hard to find.

Sutherland, under the pump for long stretches, battled hard and it finally paid off against a strong, physical side for a valuable win and three points. - Football NSW

The Beachside Dash, which is in its 19th year, raises funds for the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation. Picture by John Veage

NEW HALF-MARATHON

A half marathon will be added to this year's Beachside Dash, with the route extending from the shores of Botany Bay over Captain Cook Bridge to the path around Woolooware Bay.

Up to 900 runners are expected to take part in the event on Sunday September 13, which will start at 6.30am, with the first runners expected to cross Captain Cook Bridge a few minutes before 7am.

The Beachside Dash, which is in its 19th year, is a major fundraiser for the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation.

"The event is a 21 kilometre community run between Dolls Point and Woolooware involving approximately 900 participants," a staff report said.

"The event is supported by Council staff as it aligns with Council's vision of Sutherland Shire as a connected, safe and active community that values health, wellbeing, and active transport, while supporting local economic and community outcomes."

The event organiser, representing the foundation, applied to Sutherland Shire Council for the traffic changes.

"To manage potential conflicts between runners and other users on the shared pathway, Council officers requested that participant numbers be capped at 300," the report said. "However, the event organiser has requested approval for up to 900 participants."

The Beachside Dash, starting at Dolls Point, has previously offered events of two kilometres, five kilometres and 10 kilometres. All costs associated with traffic management will be borne by the event organiser.