Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Cronulla’s capitulation to Parramatta has locked them into sudden-death finals football and hosting rights in week one of the NRL post-season.
On an afternoon of high drama at CommBank Stadium, the Sharks produced arguably their worst half of the season in an eventual 38-18 loss to the 13th-placed Eels.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon – typically the most serene of NRL mentors – summed it up when he punched a monitor in his coach’s box following an ugly hip-drop that landed Tom Hazleton on report, compounding citings for KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo and a 7-1 penalty count.
“You’d hit the screen if you were down 7-1 on penalties as well,” he said.
“I shouldn’t have done that though, to be fair… I’d like to think we’re a pretty disciplined side. “We got outplayed, so I can’t sook about that, but frustration got the better of me.”
Cronulla had started the day eyeing off a potential top-four spot if they could finish the regular season with wins over Parramatta and Melbourne next Saturday night.
While the Eels deserved the gutsiest of wins, the Sharks defeat means they can now finish no higher than fifth on the ladder.
Barring a 70-point for-and-against swing between them and Souths or Newcastle, they’ll fall no lower than fifth either, meaning Cronulla will host an elimination final against the eighth-placed finishers – which could still be either the Cowboys or Rabbitohs.
The Sharks have been steadfast in wanting to host any finals at their traditional suburban home ground Ocean Protect Stadium, which has a limited capacity of around 14,500.
The NRL, however, governs and runs all finals matches and in a pre-season edict, told clubs that “the ARLC reserves the right sole discretion, to determine venues considered most suitable to host NRL and NRLW finals series matches.”
No decision will be made on finals venues until fixtures are locked in at the completion of round 27. Sharks fans should be far more concerned with their floundering side’s form in any case.
On Sunday afternoon, with far less to play for, Parramatta had them beaten at every turn, from the very first one too. Apa Twidle scored within just 90 seconds. Tries to Will Penisini and Mitchell Moses then followed with Sione Katoa crossing in between.
“Let’s be blunt, we’re waiting for the semis,” Fitzgibbon said.
“There’s a difference between playing not to lose and then playing like we can play. I just think we’re uptight… and we got outplayed”.
Volkman – surely a contender for most improved player in the NRL – scored the best try of the game with a brilliant solo effort before half-time.
Parramatta are still working to re-sign their livewire No.6 and know both he and Junior Paulo, who was a key figure in Sunday’s upset, have plenty to offer next season.
Sharks skipper Blayke Brailey gave them brief hope when he chased his own 40-20 attempt for a fortuitous 57th minute try.
Katoa’s second made the comeback a real possibility six minutes later, though only after Fonua-Blake was dubiously denied by the bunker. But when Hazleton felled Volkman, the Sharks were reduced to 12 and Tallyn Da Silva landed the first of two killer blows in the final few minutes.
But Fitzgibbon acknowledged they are well off the pace and playing “wounded” too.
Playmaker Braydon Trindall – who has emerged as their most important player this season – will play against Melbourne if there is no risk of doing damage to his dislocated shoulder, while Fitzgibbon didn’t rule out resting players either.
After all, a fifth place, sudden-death footy and a home final are all locked in.
