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Cronulla Sharks vs Brisbane Broncos highlights: Sharks survive Broncos revival

1st May, 2016
Kick-off: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports 501
Betting: Broncos $1.83, Sharks $2.00
Overall Record: Played 50, Broncos 31, Sharks 19
Last meeting: Round 2 2015 - Broncos 10 defeat Sharks 2
Last five: Sharks 3, Broncos 2
Record at venue: Played 21, Sharks 11, Broncos 10
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Adam Devcich

Cronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Jack Bird 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. James Maloney 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Michael Ennis 10. Sam Tagataese 11. Jayson Bukuya 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Gerard Beale 15. Chris Heighington 16. Matt Prior 17. Luke Lewis

Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jack Reed 4. James Roberts 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Sam Thaiday 16. Jo Ofanhengaue 17. Travis Waddell
Ben Hunt has injured his hamstring. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
1st May, 2016
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Match results:

The Cronulla Sharks have somehow managed to hang on after a massive second half comeback from the Brisbane Broncos, winning their Round 9 clash by two points and confirming premiership credentials.

REPORT: SHARKS BEAT BRONCOS, WIN 6 IN A ROW

Cronulla had a massive first half, but struggled to hang on during the second as their own offensive execution broke down. Brisbane managed to even up possession, and like the first half when they couldn’t hold Cronulla out, it was a role reversal.

It would be fair to say though that right throughout the game the Broncos didn’t have their normal level of execution on attacking plays. Ben Hunt seemed to be lost on many occasions, and things just weren’t clicking.

The Sharks forward pack can be credited with a lot of the victory, as they dominated during the first half – allowing their creative weapons to get flowing and then fought hard during the second to make sure they weren’t dominated.

Michael Ennis was fantastic for Cronulla in dummy half, as usual aiding the forward pack in getting the ball rolling. There was absolutely no question that the Broncos badly missed Andrew McCullogh and Adam Blair.

A decision to shoot for a penalty goal early in the contest may have hurt the Broncos, with Corey Parker getting the scoring underway.

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Sosaia Feki would score the first of his two tries off a nice shift to the left on the goal line, and an absolutely fantastic cut out pass from Ben Barba at the end. The defence was completely out of position, and it was the first of many worrying moments during the first half.

Just four minutes later and it was Paul Gallen doing the job of a fullback, crashing over on the back of a Michael Ennis grubber kick that sat up just enough for him to dive and ground the ball one handed.

The Broncos bounced back four minutes later with their only try of the first half through Jordan Kahu. A simple spread to the right, and the only time they have looked remotely close to crossing for a try saw Kahu fly, parallel to the ground and score out wide.

James Maloney would answer back and extend the Sharks lead again with a run straight through the line following a great dummy to the left.

Sosaia Feki then had a double after Ben Barba put in a grubber kick and Gerard Beale managed to offload through three defenders with a flick pass.

Chad Townsend would then get a deserved try just a few minutes out from the half time bell, running onto a James Maloney kick and crashing over after juggling the ball.

The Broncos needed to get a fast start to the second half and it is exactly what they got. Corey Oates would be first to score in the 44th minute after an attack down the right side and a quick shift back left for Ben Hunt to put a kick in and Oates to pick up the crumbs.

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James Roberts would then score in the 50th minute with a determined effort, barrelling his way to the try-line after a nice shift right. Goal kicking was an issue for the Broncos, as James Maloney stepped up and delivered a penalty goal putting the Sharks ahead by 14.

Sam Thaiday would be next to score on the left-hand side, crashing over untouched after the Sharks defence were massively outnumbered.

Corey Parker would then crash over off an offload with just five minutes left in the game, leaving the Broncos behind by just two points.

With the Broncos stuck in their own end and Ben Hunt appearing to run it on the last tackle, he was cleaned up by Jason Bukuya in what looked like a match-winning tackle. Instead, the bunker intervened and determined a shoulder charge.

The Broncos advanced down the field, but still couldn’t find a way to score and the Sharks would end up holding on by the slimmest of margins.

Final score
Cronulla Sharks 30
Brisbane Broncos 28

Match preview:

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The Cronulla Sharks and Brisbane Broncos will do battle in what could be the game of the round. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEST).

For Cronulla, it has been a dream start to the season. They find themselves in fourth position on the ladder having won six of their eight games – only behind the Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm.

It’s not just the fact that they have been winning either – it is the style they have been doing it in. Commanding could be one word to use although last week they were pushed to the post by the Penrith Panthers.

Their defence has been pretty much rock solid, and it was in the first half against Penrith although a few tries with elements of luck involved meant the final margin was only two points.

The Sharks come into this match completely unchanged, but the same can’t be said for their opponents. Adam Blair, despite being named on Tuesday will miss the clash through suspension, while Andrew McCullogh and Herman Ese’ese are also out. Alex Glenn is a welcome return, while Travis Waddell also comes onto the bench.

The Broncos are also in cracking form. As they were last season, their defence is the key but attack has risen to the fore through Anthony Milford who is having a cracking season. Their pack continues to hammer teams up the middle, and it is making life fairly easy for their creative weapons.

Their pack shouldn’t be expected to win the battle as easily this game though, with the Cronulla forward pack being one of the best in the game.

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Brisbane come into this on the back of a 30-8 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs and a 53-0 drubbing of the Newcastle Knights the week before that. It means they have now won five straight since their one-point loss to the Penrith Panthers.

There are a couple of added interesting points to take into this game besides the usual. Incredibly, the Broncos haven’t played a game in the day time since the middle of last season.

Furthermore, the Sharks are the day-time kings. They absolutely love it, and win a majority of their games in the afternoon. The crowd is likely to play a factor in this one – with two high-flying teams the joint should absolutely be rocking.

The only thing that would keep a huge, parochial Cronulla crowd away would be weather. There is a forecast for rain, and that would suit the Sharks anyway – arguably they are the best side in the wet.

Prediction
Given the Sharks enjoyment of daytime games, a possible chance of rain and their recent form, plus the loss of Adam Blair it is hard to not tip the hosts.

Sharks by 2.

Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this Round 9 clash from 4pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.

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Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

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