Chooks cook themselves as Sharks strike fine attacking form in critical victory

Blayke Brailey has reaffirmed his status as the form hooker of the NRL, helping put Cronulla back in the top eight with a crucial 31-18 win over the Sydney Roosters.

In a vital game for both teams’ finals hopes, Brailey starred again out of dummy-half as he laid on two tries at Shark Park on Friday night.

The win didn’t come easy for the hosts who at one stage let a 20-6 lead slip to 20-18 midway through the second half before finishing the stronger of the teams.

But it was a crucial one, with the Sharks now displacing the Roosters in the NRL’s top eight after also accounting for fellow finals hopefuls the Dolphins last week.

Cronulla now loom as the most likely side to break from the pack in the middle of the table, with no games against another top-eight side until round 27.

Once criticised for the lack of a running game, Brailey has burst to life in recent months to become the NRL’s form hooker and re-signing priority for Cronulla.

Blayke Brailey was a standout once again for Cronulla.Credit: Getty Images

The 26-year-old is now running the ball more than ever out of dummy-half, doing so in the lead up to two Sharks first-half tries to Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy on Friday night.

Asked if his long-time No.9 is the form hooker of the competition, Craig Fitzgibbon replied: “I hope people are saying that about him, it feels like it.

“He has been our player of the year the last two years, we feel like he is consistent. But it’s a nice he’s getting some acknowledgement.

“I just think he’s underestimated, or has been, and now people are onto it. We have been playing far stronger footy in the past few years and no-one has noticed him.

“He’s obviously stepped up and is added to his game. I think that’s a nice compliment for a kid who has busted his backside for 120 games straight.”

In between Brailey’s dummy-half incisions, Teig Wilton also went over from a short Braydon Trindall ball in the first half, with Cronulla’s attack looking as good as it has for months at 20-6 up.

The Roosters, meanwhile, had moments in the game where they showed their threat.

Naufahu Whyte was one of the Roosters best.Credit: Getty Images

Daniel Tupou outleapt Ronaldo Mulitalo to score one try, while James Tedesco finished off another after laying on a break from the Roosters’ own end.

Angus Crichton also scored early in the second half when Mark Nawaqanitawase batted back a Chad Townsend bomb to make it 20-18.

But amidst all that were far too many handling errors and forward passes, and Trent Robinson’s men completed at only 64 per cent.

And when Egan Butcher - filling in at centre for a concussed Billy Smith - put down a ball after heavy contact from Sione Katoa the comeback was spoiled.

Billy Burns took the lead back out to 12, debutant Chris Vea’ila crossed for a fairytale try on debut and Trindall kicked a late field goal as Cronulla took a big step towards another finals series.

Full time. Well done Cronulla. Far too good from go to whoa, though the Roosters did give them some nervous moments and stayed in it until the last 10 minutes. Referee Todd Smith didn’t help the visitors, but neither did a slew of self-inflicted errors.

Blayke Brailey, Addin Fonua-Blake and Braydon Trindall were all sorts of outstanding for the home side - they’re up to sixth on the ladder, though that will likely change over the weekend. That’s a critical loss for the Roosters in the context of their run home - Melbourne next week.

I’m calling it, Cronulla have got this one. Too much momentum, the 12-point lead is too much for the Roosters as they keep spilling the ball and Victor Radley has come off looking very worse for wear with a shoulder issue.

And Braydon Trindall confirms it. Slots a field goal from right in front. Contest is just close enough for it not to be cheeky. Kick another Braydon. Do it.

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That might just break the Roosters, a couple of speculative passes trying to get out of trouble ends with Mark Nawaqanitawase fumbling over the sideline. From the resulting attacking set, Cronulla don’t miss.

Lining up on Egan Butcher in the centres, Chris Vea’ila gets good early ball out on the right, steps past Butcher and he’s got a try on debut. How can you not like that?

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Plenty happening, again, some dicey calls against the Roosters - including a played at ruling against Chad Townsend when Cronulla’s kick hit his foot, and a knock-on that wasn’t from Cam McInnes.

Billy Burns: happy man.Credit: Getty Images

That won’t show on the scoreboard though, just the try to Billy Burns. Running back on an unders lines and stepping through Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte - shame because Whyte has been tireless and their best forward tonight. Try time. Sharks with welcome breathing room as a result.

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And again, the Roosters are in against the run of play. Great fun. Unless you’re one of these 11,846 Sharks fans. Sammy Walker almost gets caught on the last down a short-side, finds Townsend inside and he bombs it high.

Nawaqanitawase wins the battle in the air over Mulitalo, it’s still the last. Connor Watson claims the bouncing ball and finds Angus Crichton, he puts his head down and barges over. It’s a two-point game people. Look out.

Angus Crichton celebrates.Credit: Getty Images

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Another 50-50 ruck call, who knows at this point. Not me. Not Trent Robinson either judging by his reaction in the coach’s box as Sifa Talakai uses a captain’s challenge to overturn a knock-on call. Connor Watson found to have crowded him in the ruck. Generous at best that one.

Cronulla almost score from, Braydon Trindall dummying his way to the line. Brilliant try-saving tackle from Blake Steep just brings him down. Young fella had no right to be denying that, fantastic effort.

Cameron McInnes takes on the defence.Credit: Getty Images

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And we’re away once more here in the Shire. Cronulla have the breeze behind them along with an eight-point lead. Sharks on the attack straight away with an offside penalty and the Roosters only just survive on their own line.

Will Kennedy dives over from dummy-half but it’s pulled back for an illegal play-the-ball by Ronnie Mulitalo. Didn’t get to his feet to play it. Right call, but there’s not a hell of a lot in that, if it’s not a scoring play, it’s not a penalty.

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And that’s halftime. I think everyone could use a breather after that one. Quite a fun one. Plenty of points. Sharks definitely the better side, Roosters their own worst enemy with errors and dropping off tackles but they’re still in it thanks to some fine tries of their own. This one ain’t over by any stretch.

Sharks 20 Roosters 12