It was more by good fortune than good management that the Wests Tigers triumphed 17-16 in their clash against the Sharks in Round 1 last year.
Benji Marshall’s 35-metre field-goal ultimately proved the difference but it was a no-try ruling against Colin Best and an incorrect penalty against Cronulla that handed the Tigers the victory at Leichhardt in energy-sapping conditions.
The Sharks made seven line-breaks to the home side’s two and 826 hit-up metres compared with 638, but just couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities.
Cronulla even enjoyed more time in possession (52 per cent of the time), fewer tackles made (257 compared with 304) and fewer penalties conceded (five compared with seven) in the heartbreaking loss.