LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Sharks faced criticism after their NRL loss to the Raiders, with many questioning coach Craig Fitzgibbon's decision to have Nicho Hynes take a penalty goal rather than try to score a try while Canberra had only 12 men on the field.
Despite the opportunity presented by Hudson Young's sin-binning, Cronulla opted for the easy two points early in the penalty period.
This decision allowed the Raiders to regroup and ultimately secure a last-minute win.
Commentators highlighted that the Sharks failed to capitalize on the numerical advantage, with Brad Fittler noting they attacked the wrong edge and Paul Gallen pointing out their lack of ball movement.
Opting for the penalty goal instead of continuing to pressure the weakened defense was seen as a crucial misstep, giving the Raiders a chance to rest and defend effectively.
Fans and pundits alike criticized the Sharks for playing conservatively and missing the opportunity to capitalize on the situation.
Jesse Ramien's attempt to win a penalty by staying down only added to the frustration, wasting valuable time while the Raiders were depleted.
Ultimately, the decision to kick the penalty goal was viewed as a gift to the Raiders, allowing them to avoid immediate defensive pressure and ultimately secure a hard-fought victory.