'2-1 Marky Mark': Cronulla cause finals upset over Roosters as star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo gets the better of rival
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Cronulla have defeated the Sydney Roosters 20-10 on Saturday night at a raucous Shark Park, advancing to the second week of the finals.
Ronaldo Mulitalo helped his side to victory with a first-half double and even took a cheeky swipe at rival winger Mark Nawaqanitawase in his half-time interview.
"It's 2-1 Marky Mark - let's get it," he told Nine's Allana Ferguson.
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Ronaldo Mulitalo celebrates a try with his Sharks teammates Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
In an early arm-wrestle, both teams traded chances.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Nawaqanitawase as the rugby convert finished off a strong backline play, taking a pass from James Tedesco before beating several defenders to score in the corner and give the Roosters the lead.
Cronulla responded swiftly with a one-two punch from Mulitalo, who scored two tries in quick succession to extend his impressive record on his home turf.
Mulitalo's first try came from a pass by Braydon Trindall, who beat a jamming Robert Toia and multiple other defenders to set up his winger.
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Just four minutes later, Mulitalo capitalised on a Roosters error from Walker, finishing off a Sharks break down the right side for his second.
With his double, Mulitalo has now crossed the line nine times in his last four games at home as the Shire-based outfit went into the break with a 12-4 lead.
The Roosters hit back with a crucial try when Walker put a grubber kick into the in-goal, allowing Angus Crichton to pounce and score.
The try brought the Roosters within two points, capitalising on sustained pressure and a field position advantage over the Sharks.
"There's the magician ... that is brilliant," Phil Gould said in commentary on Nine.
"That's why they score tries that other teams just don't. Sam Walker pulled the trigger."
Cronulla extended their lead with a penalty goal after Billy Smith was ruled to have stripped the ball.
After a captain's challenge, the Roosters were awarded a penalty when the Bunker ruled that Braydon Trindall had taken Victor Radley off the ball.
Gould was left fuming over the penalty decision, calling it overly harsh.
"That's nothing, it happens 100 times a game," Gould said on Nine.
"Oh, please, please, please. That's not a penalty."
A late try from Toby Rudolf sealed the win for the Sharks, extending their lead to 20-10 and bringing the Roosters' season to an end.
Cronulla will next play the loser of Sunday's final between the Raiders and the Broncos.
