The match between Cronulla and Parramatta intensified in the first half, particularly when Braydon Trindall was put on report for a contentious hit on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses. The incident occurred in the 34th minute as Trindall charged out and collided with Moses during a Parramatta attack, just as Dylan Walker chose to pass to forward Sam Tuivaiti instead of the open Moses.
Commentators noted the fierce exchange between the two halves, with Cooper Cronk describing the contact as acceptable upon review. The atmosphere escalated as Trindall and Moses exchanged words. Earlier, the Sharks had taken the lead with KL Iro scoring following a well-placed pass from Nicho Hynes, but Trindall’s penalty allowed Parramatta to respond, leading to Josh Addo-Carr scoring in the corner.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, they lost Siosifa Talakai shortly after, who was knocked out after a head collision with Isaiah Iongi’s hip. Talakai’s head injury was assessed as a category one concussion. Despite this setback, the Sharks managed to regain their lead with a late first-half try from Briton Nikora.
After the break, Samuel Stonestreet extended Cronulla’s lead, but they faced a setback when Jesse Colquhoun was sin-binned for a professional foul. Even with a player down, the Sharks continued their momentum, with Cameron McInnes scoring a try. The Eels fought back, with Addo-Carr crossing for his second try, followed by a score from Dylan Brown, tightening the match to 22-18.
Ultimately, Cronulla secured their victory when Stonestreet scored again in the 71st minute, sealing the match amidst several tense moments. The initial clash of Trindall and Moses and the ensuing play encapsulated the fierce rivalry displayed throughout the game.