Craig Fitzgibbon has expressed that Cronulla is "waiting for the semis" and playing "uptight" following an unexpected 38-18 defeat to Parramatta that dashed their chances of securing a top-four spot.
To worsen the situation, the struggling Sharks may lose Tom Hazelton due to a hip-drop tackle and Mawene Hiroti with a rib injury, just under two weeks before the finals.
The typically composed Fitzgibbon vented his frustrations by hitting a computer monitor in his coach's box during the second half at CommBank Stadium as a disappointing month took its toll.
"When everyone's livelihood's on the line and you're down 7-1 on penalties, yeah, you get frustrated. But I shouldn't have done it, to be fair," he stated.
After round 22, Cronulla was a win clear in the top four, but defeats to St George Illawarra, Canberra, and the Eels have left them set to finish the regular season in either fifth or sixth place, missing the opportunity for a double chance in the finals.
Fitzgibbon mentioned that the Sharks' recent issues have been "definitely" mental, as the traditional contenders aim to realize their potential during this critical phase.
"Let's be blunt, we're waiting for the semis and we're not playing what's in front of us," Fitzgibbon commented.
"We're uptight because we're playing teams that have got nothing to lose and we've got everything on the line and we don't want to get it wrong. It creates an energy that we've got to address and we've been trying to, but we just haven't gotten over the top of that."
The Sharks now face the challenge of overcoming a 30-year history to chase their second premiership. No team has lifted the grand final trophy from a spot lower than fourth since 1995.
Sunday's result confirmed Penrith, the Warriors, Dolphins, and Sydney Roosters as the top four for 2026, although the specific ranking will be clarified next weekend.
Without the injured Braydon Trindall, halves pair Nicho Hynes and Niwhai Puru struggled to ignite the Sharks, who were playing from behind from the very beginning.
Apa Twidle scored the Eels' opening try before Cronulla even had possession, as Kitione Kautoga broke through a weak tackle from Hynes and sprinted away.
"That sort of set the tone for us and we were able to execute opportunities that we had after that, so that was very pleasing," praised Eels coach Jason Ryles.
The Eels then advanced 85 meters for their second try after Brian Kelly intercepted Puru's pass.
Still uncontracted beyond 2026, five-eighth Ronald Volkman delivered one of the season's most outstanding individual tries, faking out Hynes and stepping past Will Kennedy on a remarkable 55-meter run.
Facing a 26-8 deficit at half-time, the Sharks aimed to rally as Blayke Brailey scored after a Twidle knock-on, and Sione Katoa completed his double.
However, their chance for a comeback ended when Hazelton was sent to the sin bin for his hip-drop tackle on Volkman with ten minutes remaining.
Tallyn Da Silva scored to secure the Eels' victory shortly after, adding a second try in the final minute.
"I thought we got out-enthused and outperformed. When you're chasing your backside like that, the discipline gets on top of you. We were never really in it," Fitzgibbon remarked.
Hazelton's record puts his availability for the rest of the season in jeopardy.
If he gets a grade-two charge and accepts an early guilty plea, he will miss next week and possibly two finals matches if the Sharks advance.
Hiroti might also face time on the sidelines after going off injured following Katoa's first try.