LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Sharks suffered a tough loss in their season opener, but they didn't go down without a fight, going toe-to-toe with the Panthers in a thrilling 28-22 showdown at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night (PST).
In a match that could rival the excitement of a heavyweight title bout in Las Vegas, the Sharks found themselves trailing 24-10 in the second half.
However, they dug deep and showed true grit to narrow the gap to just two points with Addin Fonua-Blake bulldozing his way over for a try in his club debut.
Despite their valiant efforts, the reigning premiers proved too strong, landing a decisive blow with Daine Laurie scoring his second try in the 75th minute.
A misstep from Blayke Brailey with the kick-off only served to fuel the Panthers' hunger for victory, as Nathan Cleary's perfectly executed chip kick found Izack Tago for a spectacular try, extending their lead.
Just when it seemed the momentum was firmly with the champions, rookie halfback Trindall stepped up and delivered a perfectly placed kick for Briton Nikora to score, keeping the Sharks in the game as they headed into half-time trailing by just two points.
The Sharks came agonizingly close to taking the lead after the break, with Braden Hamlin-Uele charging towards the try line, only for the Bunker to rule a knock-on, denying them a crucial opportunity.
While the result may not have gone their way, the Sharks can hold their heads high after putting on a spirited performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game.
They may have gone down swinging, but they've set the stage for an exciting season ahead.