Full Time
80:00
6:00pm Fri April 6, 2018
Round 5 - PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal - Crowd: 11855

Match Overview

Cronulla have fallen from grace and allowed the Roosters a return to form, the Tricolours winners 28-10 at Southern Cross Group Stadium tonight in front of nearly 12,000 fans.

The Sharks were handed a myriad of gifts in the second half but had no idea how to open them.

They started the match in great touch, with Brailey making an early break from dummy half. An early penalty saw the home side knock over a penalty goal to open the scoring. Almost 15 minutes later the Roosters themselves kicked a penalty goal.

From the restart the Sharks gave away a penalty and the Roosters went on the attack. Cronk kicked for Ferguson, however he was outjumped by Feki. The Sharks winger though couldn't hold onto the ball and Matterson cleaned up and fell over the line for an easy try.

Just four minutes later and the Roosters were in again, this time Friend's grubber was blocked by the Sharks. Keary regathered and grubbered again, finding Manu who scored near the posts unchallenged. Mitchell converted from in front.

The Sharks bit back late in the half after a good pass from Moylan under plenty of defensive pressure, found Holmes, who managed a magnificent catch off his toes and then dived in the corner for a stunning try. Townsend failed to convert.

On the stroke of halftime, another Cronk kick found Ferguson, who managed a great high take before offloading to Matterson, who fell over the line for his second easy try of the night. Mitchell converted to give his side an 18-6 lead at the break.

The Sharks again started the half looking the best side, but it was the Roosters again who struck first when Keary laid on a good pass for Tedesco who threw a good dummy and slid through the edge defence to score.

After the Roosters kicked a penalty goal, a 12 minute period followed where the Sharks held possession for the whole time, before finally coming away with a try thanks to a Townsend grubber for Holmes, which reduced the margin to 14 points.

The game ended with one more Roosters try with Keary kicking for Robinson who scored in the corner to end the game, a dismal one for the Sharks and one that shows some consistency from the hot and cold Roosters.

3. Luke Keary

Keary's stunning early season form continued here. His pinpoint kicking and passing was too much for the Sharks.

2. Cooper Cronk

Cronk's kicking game was at it's best here, leading to points scored and turning around the Sharks defence time and again.

1. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

The big front rower was brilliant all game, up against an equally imposing Andrew Fifita (who in himself had a great game before injury).