Sharks produce Brisbane boilover to book ticket to GF

In just their second season in the competition the Sharks are bound for the NRLW Grand Final after orchestrating a stunning 14-0 upset over minor premiers the Broncos in Brisbane. 

A defensive effort that was equal parts brilliant and desperate saw Tony Herman's side blank the competition's best attacking unit, with the result marking the first time in club history that Brisbane have been held scoreless. 

Skipper Tiana Penitani put in an inspirational shift in the centres, putting her hand up for 19 carries that led to 169 metres, in addition to scoring the opening try, while on the other edge Kiwi Ferns powerhouse Annessa Biddle was a commanding figure in defence who got on the scoreboard early in the second half with a crucial strike.  

Having lost their past four games in the lead up to the semi final in Brisbane, including a 20-16 defeat to the Broncos earlier in September, the Sharks looked a new beast right from kick off and were daring in their pursuits with ball in hand. 

But the results were far from immediate and after a series of fruitless raids early on in which last-pass options blew two scoring chances inside 10 minutes, Cronulla had a potential opener ruled out when Georgia Hannaway knocked on as she attempted to regather her own grubber over the line. 

Four minutes later the breakthrough arrived though, with Penitani grabbing a late Talei Holmes offload to slam the ball down out wide for a try which Tayla Preston converted. 

Momentum soon shifted to well and truly sit with Brisbane, who set up camp down the Cronulla end for most of the final 10 minutes of the half thanks to the excellent short kicking game of Ali Brigginshaw.

But amid the barrage of pressure Cronulla kept turning up defensively and couldn't be cracked. 

With the Broncos a renowned second-half team in 2024 a fast start to the second period was always going to be crucial for the Sharks, and they got just that when Biddle continued a strong game by cashing over three minutes after the resumption of play. 

Now sitting on a 10-0 advantage, Cronulla had to endure an onslaught from the Broncos once again through the middle part of the half, with try-scoring chances going begging after Brigginshaw sent a looping ball intended for Lauren Dam out of bounds and Destiny Brill did everything but get the ball down at the end of a spirited carry. 

A Cassie Staples try with 12 to play put the result beyond doubt and kept alive an incredible second season at NRLW level for Cronulla, who will now face either the Roosters or Knights in the decider.