Raiders and Sharks Under Pressure After Lacklustre Semi-Final Rematch
Canberra and Cronulla, who contested a thrilling semi-final at GIO Stadium last year, are both showing signs of struggling to replicate that form early in the current season. Despite the competition only being four weeks old, the Raiders and Sharks have largely failed to impress, leaving their respective coaches with much to ponder.
This sentiment was evident in the subdued reactions of coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Ricky Stuart following Cronulla’s 34-22 victory at GIO Stadium on Sunday. Fitzgibbon, who recently signed a two-year contract extension keeping him at the helm until the end of 2029, expressed relief that his team could return home with their second win of the season.
“I was just happy to come down and put in a performance that was much improved,” Fitzgibbon commented when asked about the significance of the win coinciding with his contract extension. “We haven’t been up the last couple of weeks. The most important thing was the team reconnected. We were a bit patchy, and there’s some stuff to work on, but it was against a good side – they’re a handful, that’s for sure – but I’m very pleased.”
Cronulla have experienced a mixed start to the year, having been soundly beaten by Penrith in round two and then suffering a home loss to the Dolphins. This defeat marked their first time losing three consecutive games since midway through the 2023 season.
Canberra and Cronulla produced a top-quality semi-final at GIO Stadium last year, but based on their early form both teams will struggle to do so again this season.
This year’s competition is only four weeks old, but most people expected to see so much more from the Raiders and Sharks.
This probably explained why respective coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Ricky Stuart were fairly subdued after the Sharks’ 34-22 win at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
Fitzgibbon, who signed a two-year extension during the week that will keep him in charge of Cronulla until the end of 2029, was just relieved his team could return home with their second win of the season.
“I was just happy to come down and put in a performance that was much improved,” said Fitzgibbon, when asked if the win capped a great week for him personally.
“We haven’t been up the last couple of weeks.
“The most important thing was the team reconnected. We were a bit patchy, and there’s some stuff to work on, but it was against a good side – they’re a handful, that’s for sure – but I’m very pleased.”
Cronulla were given a reality check when thumped by Penrith in round two, then lost at home to the Dolphins. They had not lost three straight games since midway through 2023.
Sharks’ Key Performers and Raiders’ Self-Inflicted Woes
Despite the overall patchy performance, several Cronulla players stood out. Braydon Trindall was instrumental in three tries, prop Addin Fonua-Blake delivered a strong performance in both halves, and Teig Wilton showcased his resilience with a significant workload in his second game back from a shoulder injury.
Braydon Trindall had a hand in three tries, prop Addin Fonua-Blake’s stints in both halves were top shelf, while Teig Wilton got through a mountain of work in his second game back from a shoulder injury.
On the other hand, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart expressed frustration with his team’s inability to capitalise on their talent. Last year’s minor premiers have managed only one win in 2026, and Stuart believes their biggest hurdle is self-inflicted.
“They [Cronulla] are a good footy team, I’ve got a good football team, but our biggest issue is the self-destruction,” Stuart stated. “It’s happened in three out of our last four games, and we’re not giving ourselves an even chance to test ourselves against the opposition. We’ve been dealing with it, we spoke about it again after the game, and until we do [address it], we won’t win a game of footy.”
Canberra found themselves chasing points on a surface they hadn’t played on all year, with an eagerness that led to uncharacteristic errors. Stuart believes this pattern of self-sabotage needs immediate attention before they can expect to compete effectively.
Upcoming Challenges and Match Highlights
Looking ahead, both teams face challenging fixtures. Cronulla will host the Warriors next Sunday, while Canberra travel to Newcastle. This latter fixture, which might have seemed straightforward a few weeks ago, now appears more difficult following Newcastle’s surprising victory over Canterbury.
The match itself saw Cronulla establish an early 12-0 lead while Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh was in the sin bin for a professional foul. Stuart acknowledged the referee’s decision, noting that Horsburgh had put his teammates under unnecessary pressure. Teig Wilton and K.L. Iro crossed for tries, making it appear “all too easy” for the Sharks.
Cronulla host the Warriors next Sunday, while Canberra head to Newcastle, which would have looked easy on paper a few weeks ago, but not now after their shock win over Canterbury.
Cronulla enjoyed the perfect start as they raced to an early 12-0 lead while Corey Horsburgh was in the sin bin for a professional foul. Stuart had no issues with the decision, and said Horsburgh had put his teammates under pressure.
Teig Wilton strolled over, then KL Iro did likewise. It was all too easy.
Canberra had barely seen the ball, but one of the first times they did get the chance to go on the attack, they came up with points via Kaeo Weekes, who, as always, was pushing up in support on the inside of Xavier Savage after he stormed downfield.
Sharks winger Sione Katoa thought he had given the visitors a commanding lead just before half-time when he planted the ball down in the right corner.
But replays showed Katoa put a right foot into touch. There would have been millimetres in it.
Katoa then bobbed up at the other end of the field to pounce on a Savelio Tamale grubber and snuff out any chance of the Raiders’ pinching an equaliser.
The game was all but over when Nicho Hynes grubbered, then regathered the ball after Noah Martin knocked on, and put Jesse Colquhoun over. He missed the conversion, which gave the home side a sniff, but they simply were not good enough to challenge.
Canberra managed to get on the scoreboard through Kaeo Weekes, who supported Xavier Savage’s strong run. However, a try from Cronulla winger Sione Katoa was disallowed due to a marginal foot-in-touch call, a decision that could have significantly altered the halftime scoreline. Katoa later made amends by preventing a potential Raiders equaliser.
The game was effectively sealed when Nicho Hynes’ grubber kick was regathered after a Noah Martin knock-on, leading to Jesse Colquhoun’s try. Although the missed conversion offered a glimmer of hope for the home side, they were ultimately unable to mount a serious challenge.
Dragons Match Worst Losing Streak as Titans Find Form
In a separate fixture, the Gold Coast Titans secured their first win of the season, defeating St George Illawarra 22-14. The Dragons, who are now winless, have equalled their worst losing streak in club history, marking their eighth consecutive defeat stretching back to last year.
Titans’ second-rower Arama Hau was the standout performer, scoring two tries, including a spectacular 50-metre solo effort in the 74th minute that secured the lead for the home side. New Titans coach Josh Hannay celebrated his maiden victory.
The Dragons suffered another blow with concerns for five-eighth Kyle Flanagan, who sustained an injury after a collision with teammate Hayden Buchanan while attempting to tackle Gold Coast debutant hooker Oliver Pascoe. Flanagan, requiring a neck brace, was taken to hospital via ambulance. Both teams displayed poor attacking form, suggesting they may be contenders for the wooden spoon.
