Nicho Hynes has broken his losing streak against the Melbourne Storm, leading the Cronulla Sharks to a determined victory that disrupted their rivals’ Sydney visit. The intense rivalry was palpable throughout the match and erupted dramatically as it concluded.
With only a minute left and the Storm down by five points, Ryan Papenhuyzen misplaced the ball during a mid-field surge. Shortly after, Ronaldo Mulitalo celebrated over him, igniting a scuffle that was swiftly calmed by referee Adam Gee. However, a high shot by Siosifa Talakai on Papenhuyzen was penalised, bringing tension to an all-time high as fans were on the edge of their seats.
As the Storm took the penalty near the 30-metre line, Cameron Munster launched a kick intended for Grant Anderson and Xavier Coates. Despite their efforts, they failed to secure the ball, resulting in yet another tumultuous moment as Mulitalo lost possession and was struck high by Papenhuyzen upon landing.
Following the incident, a fracas unfolded in the in-goal area as the replay of the high tackle appeared on the screens, inciting further agitation from Mulitalo. Although the game was over and no penalties were enforced, referee Gee stated that Papenhuyzen would have faced a sin binning had time still been on the clock. Commentators noted the chaotic conclusion but praised the match as memorable.
Earlier in the game, the Sharks made an aggressive start as Mulitalo executed a swinging arm tackle on Sualauvi Faalogo, setting the tone for a fiercely competitive encounter in front of a home crowd. A melee ensued, prompting a stern warning from the referee. However, Mulitalo quickly turned the momentum, scoring and evoking the crowd’s excitement.
Despite injury setbacks for teammates Jesse Ramien and Samuel Stonestreet, the Sharks surged ahead, with Mulitalo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Daniel Atkinson, and KL Iro all scoring to establish a solid 24-12 lead. Braydon Trindall extended their advantage with a field goal, ensuring the Sharks led 25-12 at half-time.
In the second half, Xavier Coates managed a hat-trick and Nick Meaney contributed another try for the Storm, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sharks, who saw Daniel Atkinson earning a double. This victory marks a significant moment for Cronulla, with the crowd’s exhilaration signalling the win’s importance.