2023 NRL Finals Week 1 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Sydney Roosters, 7:50pm Saturday 9th September @ PointsBet Stadium

[Pishposh46]

Field goals attempts at the best of times aren’t sure things, especially 3 mins from full time, especially especially when you tried to take one just a moment earlier, especially especially especially when the same EXACT SAME GUY TOOK BOTH ATTEMPTS.

The team is dumb, and predictable.

Took too long and wasn't deep enough. Takes too long with all his general kicking too.

 

[GC Shark]

How did Sutton and the blindsman miss the strip by Keary on Rudolph when 3 in the tackle, in which they went down to kick the field goal!

 

[Pishposh46]

How did Sutton and the blindsman miss the strip by Keary on Rudolph when 3 in the tackle, in which they went down to kick the field goal!

They're saying on radio this morning that there's also a still shot of Tedesco being about 1m offside too, when he charged down the first field-goal attempt but we shouldn't have even been in that position.

 

[Wilson]

They're saying on radio this morning that there's also a still shot of Tedesco being about 1m offside too, when he charged down the first field-goal attempt but we shouldn't have even been in that position.

Will love to see this picture. The inaction on calling these all year is pretty disgraceful, especially when there was one and only time they did

 

[Pishposh46]

Will love to see this picture. The inaction on calling these all year is pretty disgraceful, especially when there was one and only time they did

Media will probably suppress it so they can keep crowing about the gutsy Roosters. Getting boring already.

 

[apezza]

View attachment 29436
That blindside overlap we had might have been worth exploring instead another super obvious attempt at field goal.

We were too close to the tryline for the field goal. Gave up about 5 metres in defence.

Imagine if that play the ball was on the 10m line. No charge down.

 

[Wiz]

Field goals attempts at the best of times aren’t sure things, especially 3 mins from full time, especially especially when you tried to take one just a moment earlier, especially especially especially when the same EXACT SAME GUY TOOK BOTH ATTEMPTS.

The team is dumb, and predictable.

Spot on

 

[Tightywhitey]

In Spain without the S

 

[Riverside MF]

No Suaalli, no Manu and no Teddy, if we dont take full advantage of this then we are a joke.

Can’t wait for next weeks performance at the Sydney Comedy Club.

Time to shine boys!!

 

[Western Sharkie]

Given how things have played out this weekend, we have definitely missed a great opportunity to go deep into the finals.

 

[Sharkfox]

1. CONNOR TRACEY - 6.5

He’s been one of Cronulla’s best over the past month, and once again he played his part. Threw a lovely cut out ball which if caught, may have resulted in a try. He finished with 146 metres of 19 runs.

2. SIONE KATOA - 6

Coughed up a ball when the Sharks had all the momentum close to the Roosters line, relieving plenty of pressure. Made up for it with the game’s first try. Had some good moments and tried hard.

3. JESSE RAMIEN - 5

Had his hands full lining up across from the in-form Billy Smith. Made a terrific intercept to thwart a Roosters’ attacking raid. Dropped a Tracey ball which may have been a try as he was running through a gap ten metres out. Missed five tackles and made 15.

4. SIOSIFA TALAKAI - 5.5

Was a bit of a liability in defence, missing six and making eight, but he had some strong moments with ball in hand. Ran for 111 metres and had six tackle busts. Had a crucial knock on after reaching back to try and catch a bad pass from Braydon Trindall. That would be the last chance the Sharks would have.


Walker wins it in ultimate redemption! | 01:11

5. RONALDO MULITALO - 7

Early knock on after Roosters first kick. Came alive in the second half, scoring a try, running for over 100 metres and put in a lovely grubber which should have been finished off for a try by his teammates.

6. BRAYDON TRINDALL - 4

He has been very good in recent weeks, but he had a couple of moments in this that he would like to have back. He missed a conversion from right next to the posts which proved vital in a one-point loss. The five-eighth threw a poor pass behind Talakai which went into touch as the Sharks were making ground in the Roosters’ half with a minute to go. It would be the last time Cronulla touched the ball this season.

7. NICHO HYNES - 7.5

Showed plenty of intent early with scoping runs at the Roosters’ line as the Sharks had a tonne of early possession. Threw a beautiful cut out ball to find Sione Katoa for the game’s first try and then set up Mulitalo in the corner with a classy catch and pass in the second half. Great tackle to save a certain try with 15 mins to go. First half was much better than his second half. Ultimately though as hard as he tried it couldn’t prevent the Sharks from losing three finals matches in a row.

8. TOBY RUDOLF - 8.5

He had a huge first 30 minute stint, picking up 88 metres from 11 runs. He picked up where he left off after the break, almost pinching a try with a probing run and then saving a Roosters four-pointer down the other end a few minutes later.

Toby Rudolf was arguably Cronulla’s best in Saturday’s loss.
Toby Rudolf was arguably Cronulla’s best in Saturday’s loss.
Source: Getty Images
MORE NRL NEWS

CLEARY CLINIC: Panthers ace passes legends as Warriors handed finals reality check

WARRIORS RATINGS: Johnson hole exposed as stand-in half endures finals nightmare

PANTHERS RATINGS: Cleary responds to Reynolds with perfect 10 as youngster shines

9. BLAYKE BRAILEY - 5

Had a poor moment when he was unable to reel in a grubber which would have extended the lead to two tries had he scored. Made 38 tackles but missed five.

15. ROYCE HUNT - 7

Talked the talk during the week and walked the walk early with a terrific hit on Lindsay Collins and some powerful runs which troubled the Roosters in what was just his sixth start of the season. Ran the ball nine times, but he was plenty impactful with those, going over 100 metres in just 34 minutes on the field.

11. BRITON NIKORA - 7.5

Worked tirelessly all night and ran hard as he always does, proving a handful close to the line. Thought he was one of the best forwards for the Sharks. 36 tackles with just one miss is good going.

12. WADE GRAHAM - 5.5

A hell of a career came to an end tonight. He was solid albeit others were more impactful.

13. CAMERON MCINNES - 6.5

Was unlucky not have a try early in the game when he went over the line after catching the Roosters napping but there was not enough evidence to overturn it. No surprise to see him at the top of the tackle list (36).


Sharks somehow denied by bunker early | 00:42


Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!


INTERCHANGE BENCH:

14. JACK WILLIAMS - 7

Played 43 minutes off the bench and ran for 106 metres from 11 runs and made 28 tackle. A workmanlike performance.

16. TOM HAZLETON - N/A

Sent to hospital after suffering a serious abdominal injury in the second half. He was playing a useful game before that.

17. OREGON KAUFUSI - 5.5

Ran hard in his limited time on the park. Didn’t let his team down.

20. JESSE COLQUHOUN - N/A

Only played 11 minutes but was quite involved, averaging nine metres a carry, but not much of a sample size to

17.

Shouldve just gave more minutes to Hunt

 

[Jaz]

Given how things have played out this weekend, we have definitely missed a great opportunity to go deep into the finals.

Given how Melbourne are playing it was definitely a golden opportunity to make it to week 3.

The gap between Panthers, Broncos and the rest is just ridiculous though.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Given how Melbourne are playing it was definitely a golden opportunity to make it to week 3.

The gap between Panthers, Broncos and the rest is just ridiculous though.

True,
but on the day, you just never know

 

[ben]

Took too long and wasn't deep enough. Takes too long with all his general kicking too.

I agree. Tricky a better kicker.

 

[49erShark]

Just some positives out of last night...for a bit of balance.

1. Had at least 10 50/50's not go our way from disallowed tries, strips, forward passes, obvious knock ons, bunker reviews etc. Still should have won. Across the weekend it was pretty clear that the league would do whatever necessary for certain teams in each encounter to win. The hype on Roosters was over the top. Greatest win in history? Seriously?

2. Playing without a number of contributors in our top 17. Uele, Teig, Finucane, Will Kennedy....still should have won. Roosters started at pretty much full strength full of genuine stars and were significantly favoured by the pundits.

3. A few players have really proved a lot over the second half of the season and become much more consistent. Nikora, Macinnes, Ramien, Katoa, Toby, Royce, Connor, Williams and more.

4. Hynes has largely bounced back to form.

5. Tricky has shown he can be an important piece and much improve our kicking game. His defence is solid.

6. Missed a sitter kick that would have won us the game.

7. Bounce of the ball was unlucky particularly with Blaykes no try and Roosters second.

8. Emergence of the Hazelton and Coulqoun gives us more young depth in the forwards.

9. Dykes is back next season. Stonestreet and Iro also coming through in the backs.

10. Our defence improved out of sight with the backline reshuffle and in the forwards with Macinnes as the leader.

11. Our deficiencies are clear now. It's up to Fitzy to work on them and come up with better game plans.

12. The guys after setbacks earlier in the season and especially after last night will be hungry over the off season to bounce back. I think it's clear to them and everybody they need to go up a level across the board in regard to professionalism and individual accountability.

13. Finished above teams with far more recognised rosters like Parra, Souths, and Cowboys and pretty much ended their seasons in crunch games. Roosters should have gone the same way. But too much for the league to handle.

14. Next year the ground and leagues club will be finished....finally. Sharks home will be secure under good management.

I expect a more consistent more professional team to show up next year.

 

[apezza]

Just some positives out of last night...for a bit of balance.

1. Had at least 10 50/50's not go our way from disallowed tries, strips, forward passes, obvious knock ons, bunker reviews etc. Still should have won. Across the weekend it was pretty clear that the league would do whatever necessary for certain teams in each encounter to win. The hype on Roosters was over the top. Greatest win in history? Seriously?

2. Playing without a number of contributors in our top 17. Uele, Teig, Finucane, Will Kennedy....still should have won. Roosters started at pretty much full strength full of genuine stars and were significantly favoured by the pundits.

3. A few players have really proved a lot over the second of the season and become much more consistent. Nikora, Macinnes, Ramien, Katoa, Toby, Royce, Connor and more.

4. Hynes has largely bounced back to form.

5. Tricky has shown he can be an important piece and much improve our kicking game. His defence is solid.

6. Missed a sitter kick that would have won us the game.

7. Bounce of the ball was unlucky particularly with Blaykes no try.

8. Emergence of the Hazelton and Coulqoun gives us more young depth in the forwards.

9. Dykes is back next season. Stonestreet and Iro also coming through in the backs.

10. Our defence improved out of sight with the backline reshuffle and in the forwards with Macinnes as the leader.

11. Our deficiencies are clear now. It's up to Fitzy to work on them and come up with better game plans.

12. The guys after setbacks earlier in the season and especially after last night will be hungry over the off season to bounce back. I think it's clear to them and everybody they need to go up a level across the board in regard to professionalism and individual accountability.

I expect a more consistent more professional team to show up next year.

Well said mate

 

[sharkboy18]

I read an article saying that was the Roosters greatest win in their history of the game, made me crack up, I don't think so, the media just love making big deals on any wins against us, we never ever get any praise from media & pundits alike, probably Ennis is the only one who cares for us. Yeah it's the pundits job to criticise I'll say that but they've got to be critical of the big teams too, they don't have a job to "praise" the same top teams & only "criticise" us, Tigers, Titans etc.

Eitherway, regarding our team last night, I hate being negative but their comes a time for everything. It made me realise, our forward pack have hardly any mongrel, enthusiasm & "go forward" in our pack, maybe only McIness, Nikora & now Hazelton. We seem to have no respect for the ball, we tend to lose it on every 2nd or 3rd set these days. Always wondered why we tend to get rather tired by the end, that is exactly why then we tend to give away too many 4th tackle penalties, another defensive set.

Got to be quite honest here, looking back at our 2016 premiership team, our forward pack back in those days, we had Galls, Graham in his prime, Fifita, Prior, Ennis, Lewis with guys like Bukuya, Heighington & Tagataese all coming off the bench. Tbh, that 2016 forward pack would walk into ours with ease.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Yeah, just more media chest beating for the Chickens

 

[Greg86]

The way Fox was whipping them home was horrible. They must of had a multi on with Chooks as a leg.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

The way Fox was whipping them home was horrible. They must of had a multi on with Chooks as a leg.

That’s what I am so angry with the boys. They could have all shut them up last night. It would have been fun to see their faces.