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SHARKS 31, STORM 26
Cronulla produced a gusty win over Melbourne to stay in touch with the top four – and the news will get even better on Sunday night when no Sharks player is expected to feature in the NSW or Queensland teams.
For the first time in a long time, it will be business as usual for the Shire club during the Origin series.
The Sharks celebrate a try.Credit: Getty Images
Sharks star Nicho Hynes has returned with all sorts of Origin demons the past couple of years.
But Cronulla won 31-26, and will now be given every chance to try and continue their winning ways next weekend with a full-strength squad, which is something that cannot be said for those rival clubs also hovering at the top of the NRL ladder.
Yes, Cronulla will chase a fifth win in six games against the Sydney Roosters who will likely be missing Angus Crichton and possible Lindsay Collins.
They showed tremendous grit against a Storm side whose Queensland stars were nothing short of excellent.
Harry Grant returned from a hamstring injury and was at his scheming best from the second minute, running down the short side and causing plenty of headache. Ditto, Cameron Munster and Xavier Coates, whose third try had to be seen to be believed.
If Mark Nawaqanitawase solo try was dubbed one of the best of the year on Friday night, do yourself a favour and watch Coates’ effort to climb high above Daniel Atkinson to score.
Melbourne trailed 25-12 at the break, but with a strong southerly, were always going to be steaming home.
The Sharks lost Jesse Ramien to a head injury assessment after he picked up a poke to the eye, and Sam Stonestreet was gone before half-time because of an ankle injury, which required him to be assisted from the field by two trainers.
Yet coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s men dug deep and refused to lose. Addin Fonua-Blake knew he had to play big minutes, and went without a break in the first half. Atkinson held his own, mostly, when posted on the wing.
Ronaldo Mulitalo was firing for the Sharks on Saturday night.Credit: Getty Images
Winger Ronnie Mulitalo loves a contest, and it is a great shame he will never play Origin.
Mulitalo was all set to play for the Maroons a few years ago, only for it to emerge on the morning of the game he was never eligible. To be fair to Queensland, they had prior form claiming players born outside of the Sunshine State.
Mulitalo plays at speed, loves the physicality and niggle, which are all the ingredients needed for an Origin player.
The game was not without drama. The Storm received a penalty and were given one last shot to try and win the game. Ryan Papenhuyzen was placed on report for a swinging arm, which sparked a melee.
Hynes also had a simple chance to put Cronulla more than two converted tries ahead, but pushed a kick from 25m out to the right. You could only imagine the headlines about Hynes had the Storm triumphed.
It didn’t matter. Cronulla won. And the Origin Show can roll on without them.
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That’s full-time in the Shire where the Sharks have pulled off a dramatic 31-26 victory over the Storm.
The crowd is thundering ‘Up, Up Cronulla’ and the Sharks move into the top four.
Full-time: Sharks 31, Storm 26
This is coming down the wire here, with the Storm willing a way through the Cronulla defensive line.
In an attempt to negate the Xavier Coates threat, the Sharks have swapped Ronaldo Mulitalo to the right edge of the field.
The final five minutes are going to be thrilling.
Sharks 31, Storm 26 with five minutes to go
Xavier Coates, come on down.
That’s a hat trick for the Melbourne winger, who used Daniel Atkinson as a stepladder.
A beautiful kick from Cameron Munster, who knew Coates could get the job done. No questions over whether Coates will be back in a Maroons jumper this year – he has been phenomenal tonight.
Ryan Papenhuyzen misses the conversion, which means the difference is five.
Sharks 31, Storm 26 with 11 minutes to go
The Sharks get a penalty for an illegal steam from Eli Katoa, and Cronulla decide to add the extras with a kick.
But Nicho Hynes completely misses – his first miss of the night from what was arguably his easiest kick of the night.
Sharks 33, Storm 22 with 14 minutes to go
Daniel Atkinson joins the double club in the Shire tonight, scoring on the right edge after combining with Siosifa Talakai.
Great work from Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy on the right side of the field, and a good reaction for the Sharks who looked in danger of being outplayed by Melbourne in this second half.
Sharks 29, Storm 22 with 27 minutes to go
Watch out, Melbourne are on the hunt.
The Storm go back-to-back in two minutes, with Nick Meaney scoring after scooping up the ball from a Will Kennedy error.
The Cronulla lead is down to three points – how important might that Braydon Trindall field goal be towards the end of the night?
Sharks 25, Storm 22 with 33 minutes to go
William Kennedy loses the ball when trying to play it, and the Storm get their first chance for points with a scrum feed 25 metres out.
It takes a couple of cracks at the line, but Melbourne find joy once again through Xavier Coates on the left edge.
Another well executed put down from an airborne Coates.
The conversion from Papenhuyzen bounces off the upright, so the Sharks hold a nine-point lead.
Sharks 25, Storm 16 with 34 minutes to go
