There could be promising news for Canberra supporters about Blake Austin’s ankle injury, according to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.

The five-eighth going down late in the first half was a momentum shifter in their loss to Cronulla on Sunday.

Austin was sporting a moon boot and crutches after the game and will go for scans on Monday.

While Stuart didn’t know how long the 27-year-old would be sidelined for, he didn’t believe the injury was as bad as initially feared.

“I don’t think it’s going to be long-term from the reaction with the chat we’ve just had then,” Stuart said.

“It will depend upon how he pulls up in rehab.”

After leading by eight points at halftime, an understrength and inexperienced Sharks pulled off a memorable 24-16 win at GIO Stadium.

Austin was injured while putting down the Raiders’ second try and he didn’t return to the field after what looked to be a serious incident.

He was dropped early in the season, but the off-contract Austin has been important in Canberra’s mini-revival.

Stuart said the injury saw the Raiders robbed of their attacking prowess as they failed to register a point in the second half.

The Green Machine blew an opportunity to jump into the top-eight by losing, something that seemed improbable after starting the season 0-4.

But four of the Raiders’ six losses have been when leading late in the contest, frustrating Stuart.

“In most parts of those games we’ve been the dominant team and played very well,” Stuart said.

“(Cronulla) did a wonderful job and they were down on a number of players. We should’ve beaten that team tonight.”