Sharks shock Storm 17-14 to shake up race for NRL top four spot
ANY team that can overcome a Cam Smith-led Melbourne Storm side twice in one season must be rated as genuine premiership contenders.
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THIS was a gentle reminder: don’t forget us.
The Sydney Roosters, Melbourne, Penrith and South Sydney have all made on-field statements as late-season heavyweights over the past month.
On Sunday, it was Cronulla’s turn.
The Sharks were brave in scoring a gripping 17-14 win over Melbourne at AAMI Park.
Cronulla are a real knock-’em-down, drag-’em-out team, a hardened side totally suited to finals footy.
Any team that can overcome a Cam Smith-led Storm twice in one season must be rated as premiership contenders.
“If we can get our best team on the field and play consistently, we can beat anyone,” Sharks captain said.
In a super game of football, Cronulla’s defence was aggressive, structured and organised — a vast improvement on last weekend’s loss to Manly.
“I’ve got real confidence in this team,” Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.
“We have a good mixture of young and old.
“We’ve got some good defensive players and some good offensive players.
“We can score tries if we have to and defend if we need to.
“Within our playing group and at Shark Park, we know we can play really well.
“The frustrating thing is we haven’t put it together too often this year. We have been patchy here and there.
“We have worked really hard to put it all together. Overall it was one of our better performances all year.
“We have beaten the Storm twice this year. That’s a fair achievement.”
Former grand final halfback Brett Finch said: “Cronulla have a habit of really getting under Melbourne’s skin.”
Melbourne weren’t themselves on Sunday.
Despite having a chance to win it late, the Storm’s usual discipline was thrown away amid unforced and silly errors.
Defeat denied Melbourne a chance to climb back on top of the ladder.
Both teams traded blows on Sunday.
Cronulla landed the first one when hooker Jayden Brailey scored.
Melbourne retaliated through Suliasi Vunivalu, before Valentine Holmes crossed for a 13-4 halftime lead.
Sharks forward Wade Graham limped from the field with a knee injury right on half-time. He did not return despite coming back to sit on the bench after the break and is in doubt for Saturday’s clash with North Queensland.
Storm forward Ryan Hoffman hobbled from the field late in the match as Melbourne played the final three minutes with 12 men.
Melbourne struck back just after the break when fullback Billy Slater scored after chasing down a subtle grubber from Cameron Munster.
The Storm looked to have hit the front in the 63rd minute when forward Joe Stimson surged over, but he was miraculously held up by Jesse Ramien and Holmes.
Cronulla’s defence scrambled magnificently midway through the second half when under
incredible pressure from Melbourne.
It was the defining moment because a Storm mistake then led to a try to Sharks winger Josh Dugan down the other end of the field.
“Offensively, we were good in the first half and then there was a period defensively in the second half where we had to turn them away on out tryline for three or four sets, which probably ended up winning it for us,’ Flanagan said.
“They are always tight games between us and the Storm, so I’m really happy to get a win at this stage of the year down here at an important time.”
A second try to Vunivalu — and it was a beauty — dragged Melbourne back into the game but they fell short.
“It’s what happens next for us,” Flanagan said.
“Our form could be rubbish all year but it’s really about what happens next.”.
CRONULLA 17 (J Brailey J Dugan V Holmes tries V Holmes 2 goals C Townsend field goal) bt MELBOURNE 14 (S Vunivalu 2 B Slater tries C Smith goal) at AAMI Park. Referee: Ashley Klein, Matt Noyen
Originally published as Sharks shock Storm 17-14 to shake up race for NRL top four spot
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