The Titans have survived a late comeback from the Sharks to notch up back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024.
But for Cronulla, it’s a fifth loss from their past six matches, and could still come at a further cost.
Enforcer Siosifa Talakai faces a nervous wait after he was put on report and sent to the sin bin for a first-half shoulder charge on Sam Verrills.
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With his side down 6-0 early in the first half on a wet evening in Coffs Harbour, Talakai appeared to make little wrapping motion as he whacked Verrills square in the face.
“He hasn’t wrapped his arms there … wasn’t even an attempt,” Steve Roach said on Fox Sports.
Siosifa Talakai was sinbinned for this shoulder charge on Titans hooker Sam Verrills. Fox Sports
With Talakai off the park, the Titans scored again to extend their lead to 12-0 — the margin they carried into the main break.
Like they did against the Bulldogs a week earlier, the Sharks rued a slow start. When Kieran Foran scored the Titans’ opener in the sixth minute, the Sharks had not so much as touched the Steeden.
Talakai was put on report and binned not long after before Chris Randall scored to extend the Titans’ lead.
By the 20-minute mark, the Sharks had completed just two sets.
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In the second half, the Sharks were the better side but only managed to score three times while spending much of the half deep in the Titans’ territory.
The Titans defence stood up on several occasions, including one effort that somehow held Tommy Hazelton up in-goal.
Down the other end of the field, the Sharks’ defence would’ve had coach Craig Fitzgibbon pulling out what little hair he has when Keenan Palasia burst through the defensive line virtually untouched, leaving fullback Will Kennedy almost no chance.
Members of the Cronulla Sharks react during their round 18 match against the Gold Coast Titans. Albert Perez via Getty Images
Having trailed for the entire match, the Sharks gave themselves a chance when Nicho Hynes scored after the side went the length of the field in a handful of plays.
With their last roll of the dice, Dan Atkinson tried to tap a Hynes kick back in-field but it hit the chalk.
“They’ll be gutted by that one,” Roach said.
The Sharks remain third on the ladder, still two wins clear of the Roosters.