Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are riding a wave of momentum with a third sudden-death victory in today’s Jersey Flegg Cup Preliminary Final to put them into the grand final to face Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs next Sunday 29 September at CommBank Stadium.
The Sharks were merciless against minor premiers Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval with a 38-18 six tries to three win. They needed to win their last six games of the regular season to force their way into the top-five for finals footy.
Then they knocked over the Newcastle Knights 22-6 in the Elimination final and the Penrith Panthers 40-26 in last week’s Minor Semi-final.
“It comes off the back of a bit of momentum we’ve had towards the end of the year and the effort in training each week. It’s very pleasing,” coach Andrew Dallalana told nswrl.com.au
“There’s definitely belief in the group and we saw Parramatta get to the grand final (UNE SG Ball) last year from the same position so we knew it could be done. We turn up to training with the right mindset and getting win after win is fuel to our fire.”
Halves Taj Ford and Riley Pollard were significant contributors in today’s 20-point win – Ford scored a hat-trick and Pollard booted seven from seven goals.
“They are combining really well together as they were a new halves partnership towards the start of the year,” Dallalana said.
“They perform the way they want to perform. But I also love our forward pack, they’re very hard working. They love that effort on effort play – that showed in the 70m run by a middle (Felix Faatili) which is always good to see.”
Faatili set up the Sharks fifth try with a bust up Leichhardt Oval before Ford scored off the next play.
The Raiders may have been lamenting the 15-14 loss to Canterbury-Bankstown after two periods of extra time in last weekend’s Major Semi-final.
The Sharks came out of the sheds firing with three first-half tries to set up an 18-6 lead at half-time.
The Raiders finally got on the scoreboard in the 32nd minute, when bench forward Tahrell Feaveai made a charge from eight metres out to drag three defenders with him over the line. To be fair Canberra lost fullback Keahn Skipps in the 17th minute with a right leg injury – utility Ethan Aliaia filling in at No.1 for the rest of the match.
But it had been all Cronulla-Sutherland with winger Te Wehi Waitere (pictured above) zooming down the left touchline in the fifth minute, before passing inside to Ford in support.
Winger Kristian Dixon scored his 15th try of the season when he stepped and swivelled around five defenders after accepting a Riley Pollard corner kick. Then left centre Michael Gabrael accepted a cut-out pass to put Waitere over for a try on his own.
The Raiders were a little shell-shocked and things didn’t improve when the Sharks scored their fourth try – through centre Talanoa Penitani, younger brother of NSW Sky Blue Tiana Penitani – just two minutes after the break. Combined with a penalty right in front for Pollard, the margin extended to 20 points (26-6).
Canberra got one back when a pin-point Mitch Henderson kick to the left corner post had winger Kane Rushton’s outstretched arms gratefully receiving it. Henderson’s conversion from the sideline narrowed the gap (26-12).
But then a double to Ford, giving him his hat-trick, had the Sharks out to 38-12.
Bench forward Faatili ran freely up Leichhardt Oval with the next play producing Ford’s second try. His third was an individual effort – he grubbered ahead, the ball ricocheting off a Raiders leg – to regather and score.
The Raiders scored a consolation try through winger Siamani Leuluai in the final 30 seconds of play and the siren sounded as Henderson potted the conversion.
