Sharks snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

NRL
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Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Three tries in the final ten minutes has seen the Cronulla Sharks down the Brisbane Broncos 36-26 at Suncorp Stadium.

Trailing by eight heading into the closing stages, a game-changing effort from Cronulla captain Wade Graham to regain possession from a line drop out proved to be the catalyst for the Sharks' seventh win of the season.

Posting first points through Ronald Mulitalo (7th minute), the speedster withstood a late effort from Thomas Fleger to race 60 metres for his fourth try of the season.

Striking back after a lovely break from Herbie Farnworth in the lead up, Wiradjuri centre Kotoni Staggs (19th minute) marked his four-pointer with a post-try celebration in recognition of his Indigenous heritage.

Makeshift centre Siosifa Talakai (25th minute) was the next to score with a barge-over effort marking his first try in more than three years.

Appearing to take a narrow lead to the change of ends after Rhys Kennedy (32nd minute) and Richie Kennar (36th minute) scored their first tries for the club, the Broncos were left to rue a late strip that enable debutant Jackson Ferris (39th minute) to give the visitors an 18-14 lead.

Coming out of the sheds intent on breaking a wretched run of losses, a try-saving tackle to deny Mulitalo was soon followed by tries to Kennar (50th minute) and Staggs (56th minute) - both set up by fullback Darius Boyd in his best performance of the season.

Setting up the victory after Graham's remarkable effort to regain possession from a line drop out, tries to Sione Katoa (70th minute), Connor Tracey (74th minute) and Braden Hamlin-Uele (77th minute) saw the Sharks turn a 26-18 deficit into a 36-26 win.

Next week, the Broncos face the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night, while the Sharks take on the Eels at Kogarah on Sunday afternoon.

Brisbane Broncos 26 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 36

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 7390
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 14 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 18

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Wade Graham
2 points - Toby Rudolf
1 points - Darius Boyd

BRISBANE BRONCOS (26)
Tries: Kotoni Staggs (2), Rhys Kennedy, Richard Kennar (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kotoni Staggs (3/5)
Penalty Goals:

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (36)
Tries: Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, Jackson Ferris, Sione Katoa, Connor Tracey, Braden Hamlin-Uele
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (6/6)
Penalty Goals:


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