Cronulla are the real deal and the race for the NRL minor premiership is well and truly back on after the Sharks stunned the ladder-leading Sydney Roosters 32-22 on Monday night.
Thumped 40-0 by the Roosters just five weeks ago, the Sharks completed a remarkable turnaround at Remondis Stadium – the victory set up by a brilliant opening half when the home side ran away to a 26-0 lead.
Conceding 30 points for the first time this season, the Roosters are now ahead of arch-rivals South Sydney by points-differential alone – setting up a potentially epic final round encounter between the two sides in just under a fortnight.
But this was Cronulla’s time to stamp their premiership credentials, as they guaranteed at worst home-ground advantage in week one of the finals.
The tone was set in the opening set when the brilliant Todd Carney landed a 40-20 and then a delicate grubber for Paul Gallen to score in a dream start for the home side.
The half will be remembered for the three tries in the final nine minutes of the stanza that broke open the contest, but it was the desperate goalline defence which preceded the late onslaught which defined Cronulla’s mentality.
Having repelled the best attack in the competition time and again, Cronulla took late advantage as the Roosters’ discipline unravelled with Sonny Bill Williams giving away four first half penalties.
The giant Kiwi was unlucky to collect the last for a strip however, with replays indicating Ben Pomeroy had knocked on – but it proved crucial as the Sharks went on a points-feeding frenzy.
Michael Gordon, Johnathan Wright and Chris Heighington all crossed for tries against a rattled Roosters outfit – the last try summing up their effort with Heighington performing a one-on-one strip from Shaun Kenny-Dowall from ten metres out before waltzing over the line.
The Roosters threatened with two tries inside the opening 12 minutes of the second period, but their momentum was punctured when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was denied what would have been a spectacular four-pointer due to a Daniel Tupou obstruction.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Pearce argued his winger had nowhere to go – and no longer did the Roosters as Carney added three penalty goals to take the lead beyond three converted tries before two late tries added some respectability for the visitors.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan claimed the victory laid to rest any questions as to his side’s premiership credentials.
“We proved that tonight but in semi-finals everyone steps it up a gear,” Flanagan said.
“We’re in there and we’ll give it a fair crack.
“You don’t get the opportunity to beat the team coming first often.”
Said Gallen of his side’s ability to overcome a side which had won seven games on the trot:
“We really respect them but we don’t fear them and we took that attitude into it.
“I thought we took it to them and maybe got the better of them.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was clearly irked by the Tuivasa-Sheck no-call.
“We got a DVD at the start of the year that said the guy can’t dig a hole (and disappear) … says so that’s a try,” Robinson said.
“That’s a really poor call from them, they got that wrong.
“We had some momentum, it would have made them a bit nervous.
“We weren’t good enough tonight, they were good, but that’s not good enough from the refs.”
DMW
Guest
"but sometimes a team gets the rub of the green. Roosters have got a few good calls this year as well..." Hahaha what a funny guy you are Guru Damien but you're another denier of the facts AFAIC. Season 2013 Penalty Stat's; Sharks: F 161 A 130 Diff. (+31) Roosters: F 137 A 190 (-53) In fact have a look at the Sharks discipline over time: 2012 - 1st (+37) 2011 - 2nd (+33) 2010 - 2nd (+23) 2009 - 4th (+22) 2008 - 2nd (+40) 2007 - 3rd (+23) Fantastic to have maintained such an intense discipline focus over 7 seasons despite several coaches, club & board dramas, resignations, drug use allegations, sponsorship, court battles regarding land development and so on. Surely this is the crown jewel of the NRL and I think it should be highlighted and the tributes paid.
Seb Vettel
Guest
I don't even follow NRL these days. Was just watching this as nothing else was on. But they guy has a point, the ref seemed very much one sided. And no am not even close to a Roosters fan. Great game but it could have been closer - if the ref didn't stop the roosters momentum.
Bulldog
Guest
Totally agree. People have there heads in the sand if they think their is not influence applied to get the best $$$'s outcome
the spectator
Guest
The sharkies D was awesome the first 40 min's, most enjoyable some of those shots on some of those ROOSTERS!!
Renegade
Guest
straws. clutching.
mike
Guest
i reckon the refs were told to scrutinize the chooks extra careful for 1 reason...to ensure the chooks v rabbits clash at ANZ becomes a titanic blockbuster that will decisively determine the minor premiers. the rabbits should win their next match, but the chooks are not so secure against the titans. either way, they will be playing for the MP in the last round since the rabbits really need to win their next 2 games to claim it because the chooks point differential is way too big. ANZ clash = sold-out.
Damien
Roar Guru
Correction : The penalty count was 6 - 5 to the Sharks. Not 6 - 3. The 'stripping' penalties were tough but sometimes a team gets the rub of the green. Roosters have got a few good calls this year as well. In the penalty dept. its always abit of a lottery but thats just the way the game goes..
Damien
Roar Guru
Technically yes the Roosters won it 11 - 10 the penalty count but the first half was 6 - 3 to the Sharks I think which is where the damage was done. The ref's didn't miss SBW who gave away 4 first half penalties at 5,15,18 & 27 min mark. JWH also gave a penalty away at the 6 min mark which just gave the Sharks an easy ride up the field. The penalties weren't too much of an issue to the outcome IMO. Mostly fair calls so no dramas there for me. The Sheck No - Try ruling was a turning point. The NRL ruling is that in static play a player can't just dig a hole and disappear. The play was unfolding and Tupou obstructs Bakuya at a chance at SBW. Aparrently according to the NRL if this is a backline play then its a penalty all the time, but in the context of this play it should have been play on. I can understand both sides of the argument so its a tight call. The Sharks really won the game in the 10 mins before half time where they went from 8 - 0 to 26 - 0. The platform that the forwards laid early in the half bore fruit in that time. The Roosters showed some fight to match the Sharks for tries but the Sharks tactic of taking the 2 when getting a penalty really paid dividends in the end. Dylan Napa looks like a great talent for the Roosters. And finally the warhorses Gallen and Fifita again put together some unbelievable numbers. if Fergusson ends up at the Sharks and they don't lose too much from the ASADA investigation they will have a great chance at the title in '14 IMO..
oikee
Guest
I got something right, i better chalk that one up. thanks.
Damien
Roar Guru
I'm not sure what you're on about Oikee. SBW has been doing that all season. His 'angel' persona you're mentioning is off the field not on the field. SBW called Willie Mason a 'F'n Weak C' on the field after he hit him high. And thats to one of his own mates LOL.. Was a realy enjoyable game to watch. You're right about the NRL tucking it away though. LOL..
Pest
Guest
Why not sign Nana Mouscouri as well, she's got bigger kahunas than the lot of your lot , wimps is what the current lot at the donks are wimps
oikee
Guest
They were very very good renegade. Well done to the sharkies.
oikee
Guest
All would be forgiven if he signed for the Broncos, and we will have Gallen as well. I only said he is no angel like he tries to portray.
Renegade
Guest
Well I've been waiting to see the best of the Sharks this year and no doubt we saw it in the first 40 last night... they are finally full strength, fit and firing. Cronulla were my tip of the week simply because I felt they had to make a statement if they are serious about this years competition. Anyone that thinks the two sides just outside the top 4 can't win the comp, clearly haven't watched the two sides closely this year... The Sharks and the Dogs are right in this competition.
Wozza
Guest
Cmon oikee ....youd love him like a long lost child if the Broncos took him on next year ...
Renegade
Guest
Is this post serious.... roosters won the penalty count??
Clevo
Guest
What a sook!!! Loudest I've ever heard Shark park. Great game!! It's becoming a fortress again
oikee
Guest
Well well well, Monday night Sonny turned up for all to see. Finally came out of his shell and it was not pretty. Dissent to the refs, elbows to heads falling into tackles, and he even went after Beau Ryan. Seems like our Sonny is not such the little angel he is trying to portray. I just hope both these teams take the same passion and spirit into the Manly games. Time to stand and be counted. Game of the round. Another top of the table clash tucked away nicely for nobody to see. hehe Nice work NRL.
Wozza
Guest
Having said that , poor discipline will cost the chooks in the finals ...
Wozza
Guest
Gotta admit there seems to be more bad decisions on all the games than ever before ....maybe if they allocate one ref per player ,each one with a camera on his head and a microphone in his ass...coz that seems to be where a lot of the decisions come from ...