LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The ladder-leading Sharks copped a harsh reality check in their brutal NRL showdown at Shark Park.
In a true bloodbath, the three-time defending premier Penrith Panthers decimated the Sharks with a resounding 42-0 victory, putting an end to their seven-game winning streak.
Despite being touted as a battle between the NRL's top defensive teams, the Panthers, still missing star player Nathan Cleary, proved to be too much for the Sharks to handle.
With recent impressive wins over powerhouse teams like the Storm and Roosters, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon had been trying to keep his team grounded.
Following the tough loss to the Storm, Fitzgibbon emphasized the long road ahead in the season, stating, "There is so much more to come between now and the end of the season.
We are not walking around thinking we have won premierships and got the right to carry on and get ahead of ourselves."
This defeat serves as a stark reminder that in the NRL, success is earned through hard work and determination, with no room for complacency.
The Sharks will need to regroup and refocus as they continue their journey towards premiership glory.