Both Sinclair and de Belin weren't allowed to take to the field over the past two seasons while their court case for charges of sexual assault was ongoing, due to stand-down policies from NSWRL and NRL respectively.

But with the pair's charges dropped last month, both were free to return to rugby league.

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The latter made his return to rugby league with St George Illawarra's NSW Cup side against Western Suburbs on May 29 before playing in the NRL for the first time in 992 days on June 3.

With the Shellharbour Sharks having the bye in first grade during round eight, Sinclair made his return to Group Seven Rugby League off the bench in his club's reserve grade fixture with the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies at the Berry Showground - with the utility back joining the fray midway through the first half.

The 24-year-old's Sharks easily won the fixture 38-14, with Liam Forsyth (two), Ethan Simonovski, Jordy Vergis, Mitch Wilmott and Declan Morrissy, David Williams scoring tries - with Sam Williams adding five conversions.

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In the loss, Joe Rogers and Caleb Robinson added four-pointers for the Magpies, with Darby Sheehan landing three kicks.

The Merimbula-Pambula product, who has spent time in both first and reserve grade since joining the club in 2017, could be in line to make his return to the top flight this Saturday, as his Sharks host competition front-runners Jamberoo at Ron Costello Oval.

Both Sinclair and the Sharks were contacted but declined to comment.

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