Cronulla’s late-season slump has continued with a 12-6 loss to a Cody Walker-inspired South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
Walker starred for the Rabbitohs on Monday night alongside Sam Burgess and Nathan Brown as they handed the Sharks their third successive loss, and made their winning streak of 15 a distant memory.
Missing captain Paul Gallen to a calf injury, the Sharks looked sluggish for much of the contest on a cold and wet night.
In the absence of Adam Reynolds, who left the field with a concussion in the 26th minute, Walker led the Rabbitohs with aplomb and scored one of their two tries.
An 80th-minute try by Joe Burgess sealed the Rabbitohs’ seventh win of the season, with the winger and Brown leading the way for the home side up front.
James Maloney and Wade Graham tried hard to spark the Sharks in the second half, but the visitors lacked execution and composure as they pressed for a come-from-behind win.
The duo combined for Cronulla’s only try in the 53rd minute.
Souths five-eighth Walker scored the only try of the first half when he dashed under the posts from close range in the 33rd minute.
A Damien Cook penalty after the halftime siren gave Souths an 8-0 lead at the break.
Before only 7,588 fans – showing why this is the second-last Monday night game ever – the arm wrestle continued for much of the bruising second half.
Cronulla sit in second place after 24 rounds, a point above third-placed Canberra and need to win their final games against Sydney Roosters and Melbourne to confirm a top-two finish.
Maloney could be in judiciary trouble for two high tackles late in the game.
The Sharks’ winning streak ended in July with a draw against Gold Coast.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I think bigger games should be held at the bigger stadiums. Bt there's nothing wrong with having the Thursday and Sunday arvo games at the suburban grounds against weaker opposition If they are so good to watch league at wouldn't people turn up no matter what?
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Wobigongs..
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes most certainly 'safe to go back into the water' because they are the 'toothless Sharks' and I don't think that their teeth will grow back in time.
steveng
Roar Rookie
So true 'Anything under 50,000 looks terrible at Homebush' and these games should not be played there, it looks bad and poor for the NRL that is why smaller grounds and local grounds are much better for the locals like myself, i live at Botany and Homebush is quite a hike and should never ever have been our home ground. Redfern was our and will always be our ground..
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I think it works like this. If the Raiders finish second they will host a final in Canberra against the 3rd placed team in the first week. If they win that they go straight to the prelim which will be played in Sydney. If they finish 3rd or 4th and lose to the 2nd or 1st placed team in an away final in the first week they will host a final against one of the winners of the bottom half of the 8 (5th vs 8th or 6th vs 7th) the following week. If they win that final they will play in the prelim final which could be in Melbourne or Sydney. The only way they can play no finals in Canberra is if they come 3rd or 4th and beat the 2nd or 1st placed team in the first week and then go straight to a prelim whcih will be played in Sydney or Melbourne. If they win that they go into the GF played in Sydney. Clear as mud?
Bulldog
Guest
No I am pretty sure there will be no finals in Canberra regardless of where they finish. Pretty tough stance by NRL given they do not reside in Sydney or NSW.
Alex Green
Roar Guru
I thought if the Raiders finish 1st or 2nd (or 5th or 6th) their first game would be in Canberra, but the following game would be in Sydney regardless of them earning the home game. Could be wrong though?
James
Guest
Am I right that if regardless if sharks finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd their semi is at Sydney football stadium given that is the raiders home semi location as well?
Jimmmy
Guest
I agree Joe. The Sharks were not that bad . Souths were very good though. Put Gallen back in , get Fifita to lift and a little better execution and all is well. Don't give up yet Sharkies fans.
catcat
Roar Rookie
I thought Maloney and Ennis were trying to play them back into the game with some energy but it just ended up making them look rash and then frustrated when it didn't come off. Level heads are needed to get their composure back and hopefully better decision making will come with that.
Alex Green
Roar Guru
Yeah I couldn't believe Bird giving it Maloney! Maloney tried hard and got smashed all game, while Bird didn't come in looking for many tough carries and as you said threw a couple of bad passes. Regardless, the game shouldn't have come down to a trick shot off a drop out. Bad signs.
MAX
Guest
OB, it is now safe to go back in the water. The Shark attack season is over.
Diplomatt
Guest
Cody Walker looking like the real deal.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
In 2016 Souths are actually ranked 6th in terms of average home attendances (although there is a bees d..ck between some) and ranked 4th for average total games. Anything under 50,000 looks terrible at Homebush. Brisbane 34,312 Melbourne 17,255 Canterbury 16,362 North Queensland 16,341 Manly 15,379 Souths 14,944 Wests Tigers 14,926 Newcastle 14,838 Cronulla 14,589 New Zealand 14,340 St George Illawarra 14,170 Parramatta 13,963 Gold Coast Titans 13,398 Penrith 12,353 Canberra 11,166 Sydney Roosters 10,257
Oingo Boingo
Guest
At this stage I see a Storm V Raiders GF .
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I just think they're done , I'll be happy to admit I was wrong , but that's the feeling I get .
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Sharks didn't play too badly, its just that the Rabbitohs were outstanding last night. GI at the back was safe as houses and his big body meant he could stop both forwards and backs when they were charging towards the line. The defensive effort from the bunnies was just too good and they kept it up all night to the last minute. The teams that are no longer in finals contention seem to be aiming way up against the competition frontrunners to get something out of the season and with the Roosters next up the Sharks are in for another tough game. The Roosters and Rabbits in particular have rosters that have under performed all year and now showing what they're really capable of. Another issue that I had with the Sharks is their headspace. While they were winning some of the players were a bit too 'showy' especially try celebrations e.g. Ennis, Fifita and Townsend. When losing it comes out differently where they're shouting at each other e.g. Jack Bird last night giving it to Maloney for his miskick and Maloney trying to take the heads off a couple of bunnies. Jack Bird in particular shouldn't have been too critical as he passed behind Holmes not once, but three times when hard on attack. This was one of Barba's flaws from 2012 where he readily berates teammates and I was hoping that he has wised up after 4 years and losing the GF along with Ennis. He and Ennis are key to the Sharks premiership hopes and need to be a calming presence in the absence of Gal especially with so many young teammates as they have been there before. Maloney too needs to step up and not lose it when things are going against them. Sort that out and they'll be there on GF day.
Clinen
Guest
Just doing what the Sharks do every year - get their fans all excited and hopeful only to suck when it matters. They'll be hard pressed to jag another win this season. What a terrible waste of potential.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Souths were lucky to get 7,588 fans there for their abysmal and disappointing second half of the season. Souths are trying to redeem some pride to this season. Hopefully next year we will be in the 8 and a chance of winning the 2017 title. Go the Rabbits!
Alex Green
Roar Guru
Yeah they were woeful. One loss no worries, two losses okay understandable, three on the trot and I'm wondering if Flanno has the coaching skills to turn it around. The defences are reading their plays and they need to adjust. Hope I'm wrong, but at the moment I can't see them beating the Roosters or Storm in the regular season, or the Raiders in Canberra in the first week of finals. That will likely put them up against the Cowboys or Brisbane, with the real possibility of ending what was such a promising season with 7 losses on the trot.