Their top four berth is secure but a more pleasing aspect for the Cronulla Sharks in their win over the Manly Sea Eagles was breaking their Brookvale hoodoo in the 40-6 win.
The Sharks had not win at Brookvale in fourteen years, and their overall record at the venue is not much better.
There was some concern for the Sharks despite the win, though, with Dale Finucane departing courtesy of a rib injury.
Though that did not seem to affect them as they opened the scoring through talismanic half Nicho Hynes.
Hynes won the race to the ball on the back of a Matt Moylan chip kick and converted his own try.
Interchange forward Royce Hunt, Finucane’s replacement, then crashed over to score a rare NRL try.
Moylan then scored his own try with a little jink and a dummy getting him past Manly forward Kurt de Luis and over the line to score.
The Sharks dominance led to another try on the cusp of half-time as Matt Ikuvalu went over and put the Sharks up 22-0.
The Sea Eagles came close to scoring only for a kick infield to hit the upright before being scooped up by the Sharks.
Hynes then produced a 40/20 before scoring his second on the back of a nice play involving Moylan and forward Andrew Fifita.
Briton Nikora’s turn came next when he was on the receiving end of Ikuvalu’s bat-back from Hynes crossfield kick.
Ikuvalu’s second try came on the back of a fumble from young winger Alfred Smalley and with the score now 40-0, it was diabolical for Manly.
They would trouble the scorers, though, as Daly Cherry-Evans intercepted a pass and coasted away to score.
Manly coach Des Hasler was disappointed with his side’s effort.
“It was a disappointing result, a disappointing effort,” Hasler said.
“We spoke really clearly too about the opportunity that comes with playing in the Manly jersey and the 17.”
Despite the big win, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon still expects more from his side.
“Are we happy with where we are at, or do we think we are where we need to be?,” said Fitzgibbon.
“We need more, we are searching for more, we are finding more and we will need to find more.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Nicho Hynes (CRO)
2. Royce Hunt (CRO)
1. Andrew Fifita (CRO)
