LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The Brisbane Broncos have been left feeling as flat as a pancake after their error-strewn performance against the Sharks resulted in a 22-12 defeat in front of a roaring crowd of 41,004 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos came charging out of the gates in the first half, showing great determination and defensive grit to take a 12-4 lead by halftime.
However, they seemed to run out of steam in the second half, leaving their fans scratching their heads in disbelief.
Centre Kotoni Staggs put in a performance that would make even the most seasoned veterans proud, with his hard-hitting runs and bone-jarring tackles.
Corey Jensen and Billy Walters also stood tall on the field, making their presence felt on both ends of the pitch.
Meanwhile, forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas showed true grit and determination, especially after their State of Origin appearances.
The Broncos drew first blood thanks to a brilliant team effort, with Jordan Riki setting up Staggs for a powerhouse run up the field.
Walters then snuck through a gap in the Shark's defense, dazzling with his footwork before offloading to Carrigan for a spectacular try under the posts.
Staggs added the extras to give the Broncos a 6-0 lead.
Despite Cronulla clawing their way back into the game with a try of their own, the match turned into a brutal battle of attrition.
Both teams fought tooth and nail, completing their sets and putting their bodies on the line.
But as the Sharks applied relentless pressure on the Brisbane line, the Broncos' defense began to crack under the strain.
In the end, the Broncos paid the price for their mistakes, leaving their fans feeling as dejected as a kangaroo with a flat tire.
It's back to the drawing board for Brisbane as they look to bounce back from this disappointing defeat in true Rugby League fashion.