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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
adam
Guest
Why is Paul GALLONS blatant elbow to Josh MAGUIRES face not deserving of suspension. Any other player would have got 2 weeks suspension but not Capitan Gal. The league states he has no case to answer and he's free to play for Australia. Every time he's tackled he hits out with his elbows or fists and is never penalised. Commentators dont even comment on it, I assume due to his media commitments they all want him onside. But why is the NRL so fearful of taking him on? Hes Teflon. Hes bigger than the league. Just look at his press conferences stating how he is single handedly going to win for NSW/Australia, even before the teams are picked. Ego.
Deep Impressions
Guest
Great report Scott but there is no way Milford was Broncos' best, I suspect his amazing run of form this year has clouded your judgment. Milf made crucial handling errors in both halves even before his brain fade kick on the 4th tackle of Broncos' last attacking opportunity. Milf has been great all season but this match was definitely the exception. James Roberts was by far the most dangerous of the Broncos in attack and Parker was inspirational in their fightback - either far more deserving of points for being Broncos' best.
planko
Guest
If he is not charged you are both wrong.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I agree about Reed he bombs tries and can be weak defensively, but Maranta is currently injured again. Got hurt playing QLD Cup and will be out for at least another month I think
Emcie
Roar Guru
The biggest problem with it was that play was on the other side of the field before he dropped the elbow
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gallen was just giving McGuire a nice face rub and his forearm just happened to be in the way of when he was trying to get up, its all part of the game and there was nothing in it.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Luke has continued his form from the Bunnies onto the Warriors and nothing will change that. But then again the form of the Bunnies are reflective of how Luke is going and visa versa. lol
Vortex
Guest
Broncos heads clearly weren't in the game today. Sharks came out all guns blazing, and to their credit, blew Brisbane off the park in first half. If I was a Cronulla fan I would be concerned about their second half performance though, if they do that in the finals, they will be bundled out very quickly. I'm not worried by today's game, we were missing a few players, and you could notice how soft the middle was without McCullough and Blair. Sharks were rolling through with ease. Waddell had a shocker, and Hunt and MIlford were contained for most of the game. As usual Hunts kicking was below par of what is needed in NRL.I also wish they would go with Maranta on a wing and put Kahu in centres where he plays his best footy. Reed adds very little with the ball imo, also Parker's goal kicking is still a concern, he misses too many.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Well, like I said, Kearney must feel as if Luke's attitude is not up to scratch. In anycase, it seems to me that the Warriors, who are my second favourite team, are career killers.
Muzz
Guest
A players poor form is at times a by-product/reflection of their clubs form. Look at RTS. The games form FB last year. Average at best this season. Go further back and ditto Tomkins. Luke was a star at Sou ffs. He has also contributed towards the Kiwis number 1 ranking.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I haven't been impressed with Inglis this season. But Kearney doesn't seem to settle for rubbish attitudes with his selections and for whatever reason, he seems to feel that Luke's attitude is not up to scratch. Gotta give credit to Kearney. He has instilled proper pride in wearing the black jersey. Me thinks their current world ranking is reflective of that... Nonetheless, let's hope for New Zealand's sake that the old adage of a champion team being a team of champions comes true again next Friday.
Muzz
Guest
Have you seen GI play this season? No fullback, no 5/8th and no dummy half. Kearney is officially on tilt.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
More like, WTF how can he be playing like that?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Have you seen him play this year Muzz? he has been shocking.
Muzz
Guest
No Luke? WTF
Scott Pryde
Expert
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. 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. 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. 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
Alex L
Roar Rookie
There's a ton of back row grunt on that listing, enough to make me wonder if he's thinking Harris at 6.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
KIWI SQUAD Adam Blair, Jesse Bromwich, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, Alex Glenn, Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Manu Ma'u, Sam Moa, Jason Nightingale, Kodi Nikorima, Kevin Proctor, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Danny Levi (19th man). Geez i pray to God that Kearney doesn't play Hiku at 6 again. Looking at that team, i fear he is going to. I would play Johnson and Nikorima in the halves. Start Lewi brown at hooker and bring Levi onto the bench.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Seen on the post game they reckon he wont be charged as someone or rather said it wasn't serious enough to get a charge that would rule him out.
Josh
Guest
Good point Rene. Hope you enjoyed the atmosphere there today. Congrats to your team the Sharks. Any team keeping their halves on the park and starring is off to a good start. I think you could be right. Townsend and Maloney are under-rated due to what is on FTA. I have watched most of the games and they have been outstanding.