NRL 2024, Gold Coast Titans, Cronulla Sharks, round 23, match highlights, injuries, coaches media conference

Author: Martin Lenehan NRL Senior Journalist
Timestamp: Fri 9 Aug 2024, 07:52 PM

The Sharks have made a September statement in August with a stunning 44-0 defeat of the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.

In the absence of first-choice halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes it was Blayke Brailey and Daniel Atkinson controlling proceedings superbly as the Sharks racked up their biggest ever win in Queensland.

The Sharks struck first in the fifth minute when Toby Rudolf powered over from close range on the back of a Siosifa Talakai charge that had the Titans defence back-pedalling.

Come the 11th minute and Will Kennedy looked certain to grab the Sharks' second try but AJ Brimson came up with a one-on-one steal over the tryline to deny him.

A dropped ball by Klese Haas with the Titans on attack in the 14th minute saw Sam Stonestreet scoop up the loose ball and race 75 metres to score to make it 12-0 to the Sharks.

Toby Rudolf Try

Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika was then sent to the bin for a high shot and the Sharks made them pay immediately with Jesse Ramien pouring into a hole off a superbly timed pass from Briton Nikora. With Atkinson's conversion the Sharks were up 18-0.

A strong run by Cam McInnes and a quick play the ball gave Brailey the chance to find a charging Tom Hazelton who crossed for his sixth try of the season.

Just three minutes later the Sharks had a fifth for the night when Stonestreet found space on the left wing and kicked back inside for Talakai to regather and score. Atkinson nailed the conversion for a stunning 30-0 lead.

Fotuaika binned for a high shot

Six minutes into the second half Stonestreet made it a double to blow the scoreline out further before Ramien caught a bomb on the full and dished off to Nikora to make it 40-0 to Craig Fitzgibbon's men.

The Titans finally got over the stripe through Erin Clark in the 67th minute but desperation defence from the Sharks forced the ball to come loose.

Hard-working lock Jack Williams grabbed a well-deserved try in the 68th minute to round out the scoring.

With all four of their remaining matches against teams below them on the ladder the Sharks are perfectly placed to secure a top-four finish and a double chance in the finals.

The Titans must regroup for a trip to Wollongong in Round 24 to face the Dragons.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 9 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Sharks

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

Match Snapshot

Titans lock Chris Randall left the field for a HIA in the seventh minute after trying to take Jack Williams front on. He passed and was able to return.
Titans forward David Fifita was placed on report in the sixth minute for an attempted shoulder charge.
Sharks prop Oregon Kaufusi was put on report for a high tackle in the 14th minute.
Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika was put on report and sin binned in the 17th minute for a high tackle.
The Sharks completed 12 of their first 13 sets to establish an 18-point lead.
The Sharks ran for 942 metres in the first half compared to 504 for the Titans.

Samuel Stonestreet 1st Try

The 44-point margin was Cronulla's second biggest away win in their history behind a 62-point thrashing of the Knights in Newcastle in 2016.
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy played his 100th NRL game. He debuted in 2019 against the Panthers.
Sharks centre Jesse Ramien went on report for a shoulder charge in the 36th minute.
Sharks lock Jack Williams made the most of his call-up to the starting side with 193 metres from 20 runs, 27 tackles and a try.
The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
Sharks centre Jesse Ramien was sin binned for a professional foul in the 71st minute.