LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Cronulla Sharks have advanced to the preliminary finals, defying expectations that had them written off prior to the playoffs.
Their remarkable victory over the minor premiers, the Canberra Raiders, has ensured their season continues, with a trip to Melbourne now on the horizon for a shot at the grand final.
Here are the key talking points from the match.
The Sharks should send the Broncos a Christmas card
The Canberra Raiders faced challenges due to last-minute changes in their lineup, contributing to a lackluster performance.
As I mentioned before the game, the Raiders were likely to find it difficult to recover both physically and mentally after the exhausting 94-minute qualifying final against Brisbane. They had numerous opportunities to secure that match but were unable to capitalize.
Adding to their woes, they had just six days to regroup, which included attending an awards night, before having to focus on winning a crucial match for their season. This set of circumstances made a positive outcome highly improbable.