SF
Mako Shark
From RLW:
- The fierce tackling Sharks overcame an injury depleted Eels team, that showed little spark.
- Cronulla overcame an 8-1 penalty count against them in the super-fast first half.
- Debutant Steve Hardy had a blinder at lock - scoring a try, playing a part in another and topping the tackle count with 37.
- Kurt Sorensen moved to the second row, where he made a committment to get more involved, and he made some bustling runs and crashing hits - top-of-the-body tackles that created the usual jeers from opposition supporters but took the puff out of the Eels.
- 18-year old centre David Burnes was almost as impressive on debut as Hardy. He scored the match-winning try, made 22 tackles and showed amazing maturity with his positional play.
- Fearnley said he was glad both were able to make their debuts without the fanfare that accompanied Andrew Ettingshausen's brief first grade foray.
- Greg Mullane was faultless in defence and fired the shots in attack.