LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Sharks demonstrated remarkable determination in their 12-8 victory over the Titans during an Indigenous Round match on Saturday afternoon.
Facing a tough season, Cronulla experienced further challenges as they lost centre Annessa Biddle to a shoulder injury and Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu to the sin-bin.
Prop Caitlan Johnston-Green made her eagerly awaited Sharks debut, coming off the bench for a solid 19-minute performance just 11 weeks after giving birth.
The match began with a fierce defensive battle, with the Titans controlling possession throughout much of the first half. They forced multiple repeat sets and dropouts but failed to penetrate the robust black, white, and blue defense.
In a setback for the Sharks, Biddle left the game in the 14th minute due to her shoulder injury, requiring Kiria-Ratu to shift to centre. This came after hooker Quincy Dodd had already been ruled out indefinitely with an ankle problem earlier in the week.
Although Cronulla had several attempts at scoring, they struggled to finalize their efforts.
Johnston-Green enjoyed a memorable debut as a proud Indigenous woman, receiving a warm welcome from the crowd when she entered the game in the 24th minute.
The arm-wrestle continued into halftime, with neither team able to find the scoreline, but Cronulla's goal-line defense appeared increasingly promising.