Sharks and Panthers surge as Roosters, Warriors bow out of NRL finals
What a weekend it has been in the NRL finals. Fans were treated to two elimination battles that carried all the intensity and drama you would expect at this stage of the season. And when the dust settled, it was the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks who kept their seasons alive, while the Warriors and the Roosters saw their campaigns come to an end.
Let’s start in Cronulla. The Sharks hosted the Sydney Roosters in what turned out to be a tense, scrappy affair. The Roosters actually struck first, with Mark Nawaqanitawase continuing his hot streak by scoring his eleventh try in just six games. But then came Ronaldo Mulitalo. The Sharks winger put on a show in the first half, crossing twice in quick succession and flipping the momentum completely. From that point on, the Roosters were chasing.
Also Read:The contest tightened again after halftime, when Angus Crichton finished off a smart grubber from Sam Walker to bring the margin back to just two points. For a good half hour, it felt like anything could happen. Shark Park was nervous, the home crowd hanging on every set. But in the dying stages, big Toby Rudolf powered over James Tedesco and sealed a famous 20–10 win. The roar that followed said it all—Cronulla’s fans have been waiting years for a moment like that.
Now, the Sharks will have to pack their bags and head either to Canberra or Brisbane for a semifinal. Their coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, wasn’t entirely pleased despite the win. He admitted frustration with refereeing calls, saying his side “got nothing” in terms of penalties or field position. But at the same time, he praised his players for standing tall under pressure and proving they were made of tougher stuff than many had given them credit for.
Earlier in the day, it was the reigning premiers who showed once again why they’ve dominated this competition. The Penrith Panthers faced the Warriors in Auckland, and while the scoreline eventually blew out to 24–8, the game was not without controversy. A key try to Brad Schneider just after halftime was awarded despite plenty of debate about whether a double movement had occurred. Even former Panthers star Luke Lewis called it “outrageous.”
That moment put Penrith in control, and although the Warriors struck back soon after through Leka Halasima, the four-time champs showed their class when it mattered most. Two long-range tries in the final quarter of the match completely buried the contest and kept Penrith’s dream of five straight titles very much alive.
So, as things stand, the Sharks and Panthers both march on to the semifinals. The Roosters and Warriors, meanwhile, are left to wonder what might have been. Finals football is never forgiving—and this weekend was a clear reminder of just how small the margins can be when everything is on the line.
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