The Sharks are a step closer to sealing a finals berth following a comprehensive seven-try showing that resulted in a 36-6 win over the Titans on Friday night.
With five-eighth Braydon Trindall and hooker Blayke Brailey pulling the strings, between them setting up three tries directly, the Sharks proved too much for the Titans, who lost veteran playmaker Kieran Foran to a rib injury at half-time.
A first-half double to Ronaldo Mulitalo in his return from a jaw injury helped the hosts to a 20-6 lead at the break, and from there they ran in a further three tries to claim another two competition points.
Crucially, they also significantly boosted their for-and-against record, which could be a big factor on the congested Telstra Premiership ladder.
Ronaldo Mulitalo try 3rd minute
Led by a back five who all carried the ball for over 130 metres, Cronulla pounded the Titans into submission and finished with just under 500 extra run metres than their opponents.
After Mulitalo finished a crisp backline move to open the scoring, Connor Tracey started and finished a 75-metre effort for the Sharks' second, with Nicho Hynes converting one of the tries for a 10-0 lead.
The Titans threatened to come right back though, with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui crossing before a Phillip Sami claim was ruled out for a forward pass, which killed off the building momentum for the Gold Coast.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui try 21st minute
The Sharks stood firm and on the half hour, after shaking off an ankle complaint which saw him limping heavily following his first try, Mulitalo grabbed his second before Cameron McInnes battled over.
After celebrating his 250th game for the club last week, Wade Graham got a try four minutes into the second half, with Toby Rudolf following 19 minutes later.
When the Titans did eventually get over the line again, it was ruled out by the Bunker when David Fifita was found to have knocked the ball forward on his way to scoring.
Any faint hope of a fight back ended when Erin Clark was binned for his role in a scuffle which ensued after Fifita was put on report for a shoulder charge with 14 to play.
With the advantage of an extra man the Sharks added their seventh try of the night through Jesse Ramien.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon won't have been happy with the poor discipline of Briton Nikora in the dying seconds though, with the back-rower landing himself on report for a shoulder charge.
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Match Snapshot
- The Sharks broke 60 tackles and had nine line breaks in the win.
- Both David Fifita and Briton Nikora will face nervous waits after being put on report for shoulder charges, while Erin Clark was sent to the sin bin for his role in a scuffle 14 minutes from full-time.
- Kieran Foran didn't take part in the game beyond half-time due to a rib injury, which meant Jayden Campbell moved into the halves and rookie Keano Kini came on at fullback.
- Cameron McInnes made 47 tackles to go with his first half try in a 68-minute showing.
- The Sharks have now won their past nine games against the Titans, while the Gold Coast have just two wins in their past 10 away games.
- Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 11 tries in his past seven games at PointsBet Stadium.
Play of the Game
A 75-metre effort started and finished by fullback Connor Tracey. After Briton Nikora split Kieran Foran and David Fifita, Jesse Ramien skinned the edge defence and had his pick of Tracey and Nicho Hynes looming in support.
Connor Tracey try 17th minute
What They Said
"There is no doubt we are learning to be a tougher team... certainly a lesson that we are getting better at is working out how hard it is to put that effort in week in, week out, today we didn't measure up. From the very outset of the game I just don't think we were physical enough with our contact in defence." – Titans interim coach Jim Lenihan.
Titans: Round 24
"We have been working pretty hard on a few parts of our game which I saw tonight. We had to earn the right to put some points on, which is pleasing, that's what happens when the games get harder. We had one defensive period I'm not happy about, but other than that I thought we defended alright too." – Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Sharks: Round 24
What's Next
The Sharks have a six-day turnaround before facing the Cowboys in Townsville, with hopes Oregon Kaufusi (finger) could be available again. The Titans meanwhile are back home at Cbus Super Stadium to take on the ladder-leading Panthers. While Kieran Foran will be in doubt, prop Moeaki Fotuaika will be available again after serving his suspension, while AJ Brimson (ribs) and Jojo Fifita (ankle) are on track to be available as well.