Raiders v Sharks preview
4 mins ago | Josh Robertson
Sharp Sharks blunt Broncos
The Cronulla Sharks have beaten the Brisbane Broncos for the first time in eight years, defeating the home side 26-12 in front of 26,268 at Suncorp Stadium.
It was a blistering start from the visitors with three tries scored in 17 minutes. Wade Graham was key to the Sharks' attack and his beautifully weighted pass secured first points for Colin Best. The Sharks led 6-0 after six minutes.
Graham was right in the action again minutes later posting his own try after getting the green lights from the video referee. Chad Townsend unsuccessful with the kick, Sharks 10-0.
After another visit to the man upstairs saw the green light go up for Ben Pomeroy, the Sharks centre powered through the Bronco's defence for his four-pointer. Townsend slotted over the ball to add the two points, Sharks 16-0 after 17 minutes.
A swing in possession saw the Broncos post a late first half try through debutant Aaron Whitchurch. Jack Reed on the back of quick passes linked with Whitchurch send him over the line. At the half time break, the Cronulla Sharks held a 16-6 lead over the Broncos.
Early second half, we took a stroll down memory lane with a win against the scrum feed. The Broncos managed to hook the ball to claim possession. From the scrum base Alex Glenn dived for the goal line to score. His effort closed the gap to four points, Sharks 16-12.
Truly against the run of play, Nathan Stapleton capped off his wonderful performance scoring a 90 metre intercept try. Townsend converted to extend the lead to ten points, Sharks 22-12 with 14 minutes on the clock.
The Broncos had many opportunities to steal victory during the second half. However, the Sharks concluded the win with a late try to Colin Best who cleaned up a kick ahead from man of the match Wade Graham.
The Sharks produced an inspired 80 minute performance to down the Brisbane Broncos 26-12 for the first time in eight years.
Looking ahead to Round 18, the Brisbane boys will have a week to recover with a bye. While the Cronulla Sharks return to Toyota Stadium to host the Sydney Roosters.
Match Details
Brisbane Broncos 12 were defeated by Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 26
National Rugby League - Round 17 - Friday June 29, 2012 7:30pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson and Gavin Badger
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton
Touch Judges: Luke Potter and Dave Munro
Crowd:
26,268
Halftime: Brisbane Broncos 6 Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 16
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Wade Graham (1 Try)
2 Points - Nathan Stapleton (1 Try)
1 Point - Andrew McCullough
Brisbane Broncos (12)
Tries: Alex Glenn, Aaron Whitchurch
Conversions: Peter Wallace (2/2)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (26)
Tries: Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best (2), Wade Graham, Nathan Stapleton
Conversions: Chad Townsend (3/5)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good evening League fans and welcome to our Round 17 coverage of Friday night Football. Just the one fixture tonight with the reduced round with Origin. Thus, tonight we are LIVE from Suncorp Stadium with the Brisbane Broncos hosting the Cronulla Sharks.
In team news - Broncos: They will be 1 through 17 with Kurt Baptiste not needed off the bench. Meanwhile, the Sharks will use the named starting side, 1-13. Only changes are Andrew Fifita and Sam Tagatase dropping off the extend bench.
We are moments away from kick off here at Suncorp, a late start with just the one Friday Night game. Teams going through their final preparations in the sheds.
1 min: Time on is signalled and we are GO on Friday Night Footy! Broncos kick off to get us UNDERWAY
2 min: First penalty awarded to the Sharks tonight. Free kick taken by Townsend. Sharks with set on their 40 metre line.
3 min: A collision between Lachlan Maranta and Josh Hoffman in goal has given the Sharks a line drop out with the Broncos forced in goal
6 min: TRY
TRY! Cronulla Sharks
Wade Graham has thrown a beautifully waited pass to put Colin Best into a hole in the Broncos line to score. The Sharks playing some fast footy to get things started tonight. Chad Townsend fails to convert from out wide, score remains 4-0
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 4-0
8 min: Isaac Gordon running out of room on the near touchline has the Sharks decided to run the ball on the last tackle. He forced into touch before getting a kick away. As a result the Broncos have the ball on half way through a change over
9 min: Nice kick from Corey Norman almost getting a result but allowed to roll dead. Sharks 20 metre quick tap.
11 min: Video Referee decision for the Sharks, possible for Ben Ross.
12 min: TRY
TRY! Cronulla Sharks
Wade Graham has collected the Sharks second four-pointer of the night. The video referee awarded the try benefit of the doubt try with Ben Ross ruled not to have got a hand on the ball in the messy high ball contest. Chad Townsend converts from in front to make it a 10 point lead
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 10-0
14 min: Video Referee decision for the Sharks, Ben Pomeroy claiming their 3rd
17 min: TRY
TRY! Cronulla Sharks
Ben Pomeroy has been awarded the try after ruled not to have knocked on in the high ball contest. He then powered his way through 3 Broncos defenders to plant it down in the corner. Chad Townsend splits the uprights to make it a 16-nil lead
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 16-0
19 min: Mistake from the Broncos gives up possession deep in their own half. The Sharks on the attack inside the Broncos 20 metre line.
20 min: Video Referee decision for the Sharks again, Wright claiming it. We have a Broncos player down
20 min: Matt Wright gets the RED LIGHTS and will be penalty against Wade Graham has he collected Josh Hoffman high with the shoulder charge in goal. The Broncos will get the penalty 10 metre out.
20 min: Josh Hoffman remains on the field and the Broncos get their second penalty for the Sharks offside.
21 min: Andrew McCullough looked for a hole and stopped short. Sharks hold on at the line.
26 min: A wayward kick off the boot of Chad Townsend was a short one which rebounded backwards off the hands of Copley but he regained possession to return to the defensive line on halfway.
27 min: Big run from Reed has seen him end up in goal, but held up the call. Last tackle on the 10 metre line. However on the last, no points found with the short kick to the goals taken easily by the Sharks.
28 min: Penalty against Jeremy Smith for a high shot with the shoulder. Broncos attacking 30 metre out
30 min: Zero tackle for the Broncos who continue to look for points inside the Sharks 10 metre line.
30 min: KNOCK ON! Sharks have knocked on through Jon Green. Pressure being applied on the line by the Broncos. As a result the Broncos have their fourth set on the Sharks goal line with a scrum feed on the 10 metre line.
33 min: TRY
TRY! Brisbane Broncos
Jack Reed has provided a lovely pass to Aaron Whitchurch on his wing to score in the corner. The Broncos finally crossing the whitewash for points after four repeat sets on the Sharks line. Peter Wallace struck it beautifully to convert.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 16-6
35 min: KNOCK ON! Peter Wallace streaking away off a lovely inside ball. But knocked on at the death. Chance for the Broncos gone begging.
37 min: Double knock on ruled, Broncos will come up with possession with Jeff Robson coughing up the ball
40 min: Peter Wallace stabs the kick downfield and it rolls dead as the half time siren sounds in the background here at Suncrop Stadium. The Broncos have fought back to claim their own four-pointer. At the break the Sharks lead 16-6.
41 min: Referee Gavin Badger blows time on and we are UNDERWAY in the 2nd half: Sharks lead 16-6
43 min: Massive run down the win from Gibb, but it's all over with Stapleton taking the kick on the full! Wonderful take under pressure
44 min: KNOCK ON! Aaron Whitchurch fails to hold onto the footy as the Broncos looked to get quick passes away. Sharks hold on with a scrum feed on the 30 metre line.
46 min: TIME OFF! Jarrod Wallace is down after coping an elbow in the face from Jeremy Smith. Originally the kick was charged down by the Broncos but a penalty will be given. Jeremy Smith has been placed on report as a result. Broncos on the attack 30 metres from the Sharks line.
48 min: Video Referee for the Broncos, a win against the feed as given the Broncos possible points
49 min: TRY
TRY! Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos won against the scrum feed and from the base Alex Glenn has powered over the goal line. Peter Wallace slots the two points to close the gap to 4 points.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 16-12
50 min: Bad to worse for the Sharks as they send the kick restart on of the full. The broncos earn a penalty as a result.
51 min: Andrew McCullough getting caught on the last tackle short of the goal line. Sharks defence holds on and they will work it off their line
53 min: KNOCK ON! Ben Pomeroy has dropped it for the Sharks in the heavy contest. Broncos scrum on the 10
56 min: TRY
TRY! Cronulla Sharks
Nathan Stapleton has taken a poor pass from the Broncos to intercept it and race away 90 metres to score a wonderful try against the run of play. Chad Townsend converts to make it a 10 point lead again.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 22-12
57 min: Penalty against the Sharks for a strip against John Morris. Free kick taken which gives the Broncos a set starting on half way.
58 min: KNOCK ON! Peter Wallace has lost possession as he went to ground. Simple mistake in the tackle of Ben Ross gives the Sharks a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
61 min: A good kick from Peter Wallace has given the Broncos a repeat set as Nathan Stapleton was caught in goal. Danger play as Stapleton offload to Colin Best who took it dead. Line drop out for the Broncos.
62 min: Strip penalty to the Broncos for Pomeroy helping the ball out. Broncos attacking 10 metres out.
63 min: KNOCK ON! Brendon Gibb charging into the line onto the pass has got a hand to it without being able to grab it. On the back of it, a penalty as gone to the Sharks to help them out of their own half.
64 min: Jeff Robson supplied a great kick just short of the goal line to force a line drop out. Sharks will look to close the game with points in this set.
65 min: Nathan Stapleton has gone into touch looking for the corner. Scrum feed to the Broncos on the 10 metre line.
67 min: Penalty to the Sharks for Bryce Gibbs being tackled in the air. Yes, the replay did show Bryce actually left the ground. The Sharks from the free kick attacking short of half way.
69 min: Time off as Nathan Stapleton is down with a possible ankle injury.
71 min: Penalty to the Broncos against Gibbs for an elbow in the tackle. Broncos attacking 10 metre out.
72 min: Interesting passage of play here. Nathan Stapleton took the ball off the Broncos mistake and streaked away best part of 35 metres. Following that, the Sharks has powered downfield to only cough up possession. Thus, the Broncos have possession through a scrum feed on the Sharks 10 metre line.
74 min: Gerard Beale caught on the last tackle after busting up short of the line. Sharks get the change over on the 10 metre line to start their set.
76 min: Matt Wright doing his being clown impression with a juggling act on the sideline. However his offload going wayward with the Broncos coming up with it.
78 min: TRY
TRY! Cronulla Sharks
Colin Best cleans up mess after Wade Graham kicked ahead. Broncos failed to dive on the ball. Best picked up to score under the posts. Townsend hooks it wide.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 26-12
79 min: Broncos try and fail with the short kick off. Penalty to the Sharks on halfway
80 min: FULL TIME at Suncorp Stadium, the Cronulla Sharks have claimed a rare victory over the Brisbane Broncos 26-12. It is the first time in 8 years the Sharks have beaten the Broncos.