The NSWRL is shining the spotlight on the 2019 Jersey Flegg Cup, selecting a weekly shortlist of the top five tries from every team in the top eight. Our team in focus this week are minor premiers the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Check here every weekday for rolling coverage of the top five countdown.
Although their campaign finished with a final-minute defeat to South Sydney Rabbitohs in the second week of finals, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks saw plenty of success in what was a table-topping 2019 season.
The Sharks produced a 14-5 win/loss ratio with a competition-leading defensive record of 300 points conceded for the regular season, but they still possessed the attacking weapons needed to make them a genuine premiership contender in 2019.
Sharks full highlights reel
#5
Sharks number five try
Coming in at No.5 in the Sharks’ best four-pointers of 2019 was the second of two tries for Vito Tevaga against Sydney Roosters in the final round.
It started 20 metres from the try-line at centre field when Tevaga’s inside man Jenson Taumoepeau received a cut-out pass from halfback Angus Ernst. Taumoepeau followed up with a grubber, and with a piece of good fortune the ball deflected off the leg of a Roosters defender into the hands of Tevaga to dive in the corner.
#4
Sharks number four try
Tevaga’s first try of the afternoon against the Roosters comes in at number four in our countdown.
In the 19th minute, the home side shifted the ball to the right and some quick hands and lead-up work from number Jenson Taumoepeau saw Tevaga receive the ball and do a fantastic job of staying in the field of play to score.
#3
Sharks number three try
The Sharks number three try came against Parramatta in Round Three of 2019. Fullback Jonaiah Lualua ran onto a ball from five-eighth Jayden Millard and found some space. Just as Lualua was getting tackled he managed to offload and the ball eventually ended up in the hands of James Russell who scored next to the uprights.
#2
Sharks number two try
The Thunderbolts were looking tired on their line at PointsBet Stadium so five-eighth Jayden Millard put in a grubber kick on fifth between two defenders behind the goal line.
It looked as though it might have had too much length on it to play at but Tevaga managed to somehow to get his body in front of a Victorian defender as the ball was about to go out and got it down in the field of play in a crazy solo effort.
#1
Sharks number one try
The Sharks number one try came against the North Sydney Bears in Round 15 and started with a goose step.
Winger Josh Delailoa ended up with the ball close to the sideline but tip-toed his way down the line and fended off plenty of Bears defenders on his way to the try line.
