The Warriors had a sizeable lead against the Sharks in Round 15 earlier this year, before allowing their opposition back into the clash and losing 20-19 in the dying moments. It’s been the story of their season to date.
In front of 9,271 fans at Toyota Stadium, the visitors dominated most of the match, leading 19-8 with just 10 minutes remaining.
Somehow the home side found a get-out-of-jail-free card, stunning their legion of dedicated fans with some scintillating, determined play in the closing stages.
It was a couple of plays from NSW five-eighth Todd Carney that shifted the momentum in this game – a 40/20 kick and a try assist for a Jeff Robson try late in the second half the defining moments. Carney’s goal-kicking (three from three, compared with James Maloney’s three from four) ultimately proved the difference.
The Sharks – without Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita and Wade Graham – somehow overcame the Warriors’ huge advantage in field position to record the win. The visitors ran for a total of 1362 metres – almost 200 metres more than the home side.