The Cronulla Sharks have finally gotten back into the winners circle, recoding a 25-point victory over the Sydney Roosters.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Sharks 37
Roosters 12
The Cronulla Sharks will be looking to get out of their form slump when they face the in-form Sydney Roosters at Southern Cross Group Stadium. To follow all of the action make sure you join us on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST) on Saturday night.
2016 is quickly turning from a dream year to a nightmare for the Cronulla Sharks as they have lost their past three games on the trot.
Coming off their well-known winning streak, the past month for the Sharks has been a struggle as they have lacked that same spark that saw them sitting on top of the ladder earlier in the season.
With the Raiders snapping at their heels, the Sharks will be looking for a couple of wins to round out the season and consolidate a top-two spot heading into the finals.
While this season hasn’t quite gone the way they would have hoped, the Sydney Roosters have added some respectability with a strong finish to the season.
Since they have had a fit roster along with no suspensions, the Roosters have shown that when they have their best side on the park then they are a force to be reckoned with.
Although they are well and truly out of the running for finals, they are still in a position to cause a few headaches for the top teams before the end of the minor rounds.
In selection news the Sharks will be pleased to welcome back Paul Gallen and Sosaia Feki for this big clash and this means Gerard Beale and Kurt Capewell drop out of the side.
The Roosters go into the game unchanged.
If the Sharks are to get out of their form slump this week they will need to score a lot of points which means they will need their backline to step up in attack.
For the Roosters they will know that if their forward pack that includes Dylan Napa, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, and Boyd Cordner can win the battle up front then they will be a big chance of scoring the win.
A key battle up front will between Andrew Fifita of the Sharks and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the Roosters as the two big men will both be looking to put their own stamp on the game.
Out the back there should be plenty of entertainment with the likes of Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes for the Sharks facing off against some of the Roosters weapons in Latrell Mitchell and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
Prediction
The Sharks are due for a win so I think they will get the points here over the Roosters in a close one.
Sharks by 8 points.
Will the Sharks break their three-game losing streak or can the Roosters get their third win in a row? Make sure you join us on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST) to find out.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Gallen most metres ,most offloads,set up a try,scored another both involving three players tackling him.Worthy MOM. Other notable mentions Bukuya,Maloney,Ennis,backline only really let fly int the latter stages. Atmosphere incredible,mate at home noted he could hear the noise more than 1km away as the crow flies. Tough uncompromising match,just the ideal build up to the semis. The match against the Storm should be a bottler.
Jacksyd
Guest
Put your glasses back on
jamesb
Guest
1. Storm 40 2. Sharks 39 (+196) 3. Raiders 37 (+ 190) Sharks go to Melbourne, while Canberra is away to Wests Tigers. The minor premiership, top 4 and top 8 to be decided next week. Warriors v Tigers tomorrow is sudden death..
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Roar Guru
Match Summary The Cronulla Sharks have broken a three game losing streak with a convincing 25-point win over the Sydney Roosters. After a tense first half, the Sharks seemed to find their mojo in the second half as they blew their opponents out of the water. Connor Watson and Mitchell Pearce looked as if they were going to set up an upset for the Roosters in this game as they were good early, but then a number of errors along with a lack of metres from their forwards shut down any chances later in the game. In a huge positive for the Sharks, Paul Gallen was great in his return from injury as his hard running helped set up the victory in the first half and early in the second half. Andrew Fifita and Matt Prior also helped set up the win for Cronulla by dominating the battle of the front-rows. The Roosters put up a great fight for 40 minutes but they seemed tired and frustrated by the end of the game as a disappointing year gets closer to the end for them. Despite the best effort of Blake Ferguson at fullback for the Roosters, the Sharks attacking weapons proved too much as a number of their stars got involved in attack. Unfortunately for the Roosters, Sio Siua Taukeiaho went down early with hat is a suspected ACL injury. This result sets up a showdown for the minor premiership between the Storm and Sharks in the final round. The votes for this one were tough but there were a few players who stood out above the rest. Votes: 3 Paul Gallen The veteran made a huge impact in his return from injury as he set up the win with 212 metres, three offloads, one line break and one try. 2 Ben Barba The crafty fullback was an important player tonight as he seemed to get more involved in attack a try and a try assist along with some good kicking and a solid game in defence. 1 Michael Ennis The Sharks hooker was at his clinical best tonight in all aspects of the game as he played a big role in setting up the win.
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
If they beat Storm at AAMI, this may be their year. Good display tonight for last home game, rewarded fans with a nice end to end spectacle.
jamesb
Guest
Crowd 14, 457
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Gallen played strong and his try was a beauty. This game has maybe brought them out of their slump, next week against a Storm side who could be heading into a loss of form will tell the story.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
14,457
Renegade
Roar Guru
I noticed it in the final 20 of the first half and they didn't look back....They're back! Time to load up on that pre-season prediction now ?
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Roar Guru
Well the Sharks have their first win in a month and it was a decisive one at that. They seemed to have recaptured that spark that had gone missing recently. They now head into the final round with a shot to win the minor premiership against the Storm. For the Roosters there wasn't anything to play for and that showed. They seemed tired and frustrated and the end of the season can't come soon enough for them. What did you think of the game? Who were the best players? Where was it won and lost? Thanks for joining me on the coverage tonight. Stay tuned for my match summary and votes.
John
Guest
What was the crowd numbers
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Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Sharks put in a solid set. Maloney kicks and Ferguson is up to the challenge and the Roosters then throw it around and get it to their 30. The siren ends the game. Sharks 37 Roosters 12
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Stupid Easts, Guppies now have a F&A advantage over us.
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Roar Guru
'80 Guerra is down in the hands of the trainers after an accidental clash in the tackle. Sharks 37 Roosters 12
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'79 PENALTY GOAL SHARKS The Sharks go close a couple of times, They then win a penalty for back chat. They opt to kick for the penalty goal. Ennis nails it from close range. Sharks 37 Roosters 12
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Roar Guru
'77 Ennis grubbers and Ferguson is forced to take it dead. Goal line drop out for the Rooters. Sharks 35 Roosters 12
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'76 Pearce kicks from 25 out and Feki takes it in the air and is then cleaned up. Sharks win a penalty and they will start a new set on their own 25. Sharks 35 Roosters 12
Planko
Guest
He draws the man by throwing it miles forward it was not even close
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Roar Guru
'75 The Sharks then come up with an error. Roosters scrum on their own 40. Sharks 35 Roosters 12
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Roar Guru
'74 The Roosters get inside the Sharks 30. Pearce bombs and Holmes handles it and then he is stripped by Tupou but Barba recovers the loose ball on the Sharks 20. Sharks 35 Roosters 12