Sharks set up minor premiership playoff with big win over Roosters

v BYE

The Cronulla Sharks regained form tonight by posting 37 unanswered points for a 37-12 win in front of 14 457 at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Get yourselves ready rugby league fans, the Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm will clash next Saturday night with the winner claiming the minor premiership. 

The Roosters got out to a 12-0 lead after 21 minutes and it looked like they were to continue defeating top teams at the back end of the season. 

To score their first points of the evening all the Sharks needed was some luck. 

Michael Ennis sent a grubber kick to the in goal from dummy half in the 25th minute, which Connor Watson knocked on receiving and Matt Prior picked up the loose ball to score. 

From there Cronulla improved their completion rate and forced four goal line drop outs.

The visitors challenged the Sharks and dominated the early exchanges by focusing all their attack through the middle of the field. 

Latrell Mitchell's try was the highlight for Sydney. He took a contested catch from a Mitchell Pearce bomb for the right corner and beat three defenders in the space of five metres to make the try line. 

The rookie also led the effort to intimidate the Sharks. 

Mitchell palmed Paul Gallen in the face after the winger was awarded a penalty and within the following 10 minutes the Cronulla captain tackled opposing captain Jake Friend without the ball out of frustration which gave away another penalty. 

Despite the blow up, it was a successful return for the New South Wales representative. 

Gallen capped off his 60 minute stint by carrying a few defenders over under the posts for a try and led all players for metres gained. 

Seven different players scored tries for the Sharks as they were able to beat the Roosters with set plays for the backs to score and hard running to bustle through the middle of the field. 

Ennis played the final home game of his career and was given an attempt at a penalty goal in the 78th minute to celebrate, which he converted. 

Sio Siua Taukeiaho left the field in just the second minute as he fell seriously awkward on his leg. 

Early reports suggest it is an ACL rupture which would put his four nations availability in extreme doubt. 

Sydney did themselves no favours by conceding 12 penalties and finishing with a completion rate of just 59 per cent. 

A penalty to the Sharks with just eight seconds to play in the first half allowed them to get James Maloney, playing his former club, set for a field goal which gave the home side an unlikely 13-12 advantage at the break. 

While the Sharks battle it out for the J.J. Giltinan Shield on Saturday, the Roosters will round out a disappointing season when they visit the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.