Sharks eye Hipgrave

THE Sharks have made a huge play for young Titans firebrand Keegan Hipgrave to replace skipper Paul Gallen.

Hipgrave and his manager, former Maroons fullback Clinton Schifcofske, met with the Sharks at a Cronulla cafe on Wednesday.

Hipgrave, 21, has only played 10 NRL games but is being chased by a number of rival clubs.

Gallen, 36, is expected to retire this season and Hipgrave could be his replacement in the Cronulla No. 13.

The Palm Beach Currumbin product has been likened to former NSW Origin star Greg Bird with his tenacious defensive attitude.

The Titans have already splashed out on Canberra prop Shannon Boyd and Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace.