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Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says it was far from his best game but teenage winger Valentine Holmes was the hero for the Sharks against Gold Coast on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who had earlier scored his second double this season against the Titans, coolly slotted the decisive field goal in the second minute of golden point to secure the Sharks a dramatic 23-22 NRL win.
The victory capped a memorable turnaround for the Sharks, who trailed 16-4 early in the second half but stormed home against an undermanned Titans to move into the lead for the first time with eight minutes to go thanks to Jack Bird’s try.
For the second week running, it looked like the Sharks would fall at the last hurdle when Anthony Don immediately responded for the Titans after a great cut-out pass by Kane Elgey.
But Aidan Sezer’s potentially decisive conversion attempt drifted wide to send the game into sudden-death.
A great defensive set at the start of the extra period set the Sharks up with the opportunity for a field goal, which Holmes stepped up to deliver from 30m out after having baulked at taking a shot near the end of regulation time.
“The first time I tried, they pressed me pretty hard so I passed to Benny (Barba) and couldn’t get it on but that last one, tried to block out everything and thought I hit it good, bit wobbly and just went over,” Holmes said.
After last weekend’s heartbreaking loss to the Warriors, Flanagan said it was a relief to have a close result fall his team’s way.
“I was probably looking at the other side of the coin, how damaging it could have been if we didn’t win,” he said.
“We got in front again today and another one of those brainsnaps we’ve had over the last couple of games, we’ve offloaded on tackle one and knocked on and Gold Coast score next.
“In the end we got the points. It’s a really important two points going into the bye.”
Experienced back-rower Luke Lewis was at his inspirational best for the visitors, scoring a try to spark their comeback and turning momentum around with a pair of charge-downs in the second half.
The NSW State of Origin veteran failed to finish the game with Flanagan later revealing he was having trouble breathing due to complications with the medication he’s taking as part of his ongoing treatment for a thyroid problem.
The Titans had personnel problems of their own with David Mead (hamstring), Will Zillman (knee) and Nate Myles (concussion) all failing to finish the match.
Titans coach Neil Henry said the lack of bodies was no excuse, with the home team their own worst enemy.
“We gave them an opportunity,” Henry said.
“At 16-4 you shouldn’t get beaten.”
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