1 Sharks 'left' shattered by Cherry-Evans boot
It probably shouldn't have come down to it, however the outcome of the Sharks v Manly game was eventually decided by the boot of Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
A smart grubber kick into the in-goal enabled Joel Thompson to score the match-levelling try, before the same man had the chance to ice the result in the 80th minute, only for his shot at field goal, due in part to a determined charge down attempt from Chad Townsend, to sail left of the uprights.
That one was with his right foot.
Then comes Golden Point, the Sea Eagles make a break down the left-hand side of the field and again Cherry-Evans is in position to seal the game.
The Sharks raced off their line, blocked the path of a right-footed attempt at field goal, only for the Manly number seven to chip the ball over with his opposite foot, with the Cronulla side 'left' shattered by Cherry-Evans winning boot.
2 Holmes is almost there
With the first try of the game there looked to be a real possibility that Valentine Holmes would equal the club's single season try-scoring record on Sunday in the game against the Sea Eagles.
It was his 18th four-pointer of the season and with still 70-minutes on the clock, it appeared this match might provide the moment.
From there on the opportunities didn't quite fall his way, with Holmes now one short of the record he jointly holds with David Peachey, a mark which has stood since 'The Peach' scored 19 tries back in 1999.
Holmes' strike rate of 62 tries in 98 matches is certainly impressive, with the Sharks star almost there in his quest to own outright a long-standing club record.
3 Bunker gets a workout
Five key points isn't disputing any of the decisions made, however it must be said the Bunker officials were made to work overtime in adjudicating on potential try-scoring situations on Sunday.
Two Sharks four-pointers were denied for obstruction in the first period of the game, the first one probably fair enough, the second one to Moylan a little more controversial, with Dylan Walker deciding to wrap his arms around Ricky Leutele as the decoy runner. Reality, Walker was never getting there, by the letter of the law however, it was a no try.
Up the other end, both Shaun Lane tries were confirmed by the video official, while Walker was awarded a try when the on-field referee questioned whether in grounding the ball he had made a double-movement.
Again a green light. Again fair enough.
The Sharks did get a couple when it was confirmed Jesse Ramien had slammed the ball down correctly after showing great strength to score right on the half time siren, then Aaron Woods was rewarded with another positive decision when diving on the ball for his first try in Cronulla colours.
Then the try that levelled the score, Joel Thompson touching down after winning the race to a grubber kick, and once more, the four points were given.
With eight decisions sent their way, the big screen sponsor was well looked after and the bunker certainly got a workout last Sunday.
4 Coach and captain agreed, 33 was too many
The Sharks turned on some of their best moments of the season in attack, with five tries on the day, not to mention another couple denied with obstructions ruled after players had slightly erred with their decoy runs.
Add in a decent afternoon with the boot from Valentine Holmes with six from seven attempts, albeit the kick that would have put the Sharks eight points up drifted wide, and 32 should have been enough to get the win against the Sea Eagles.
Unfortunately, the Sharks let themselves down in other areas, a lack of discipline gifting Manly field position far too often, while some less-than-stellar goal line defence allowed a couple of softish tries to their opponents.
Woods summed it up in an interview with Sharks TV post-game saying ''it wasn't us", while the coach and captain, at the after-match press conference agreed that scoring 32 was a positive, letting 33 in wasn't good enough.
5 Congrats to Wade and Karianne
He thought it might happen the week leading into the Broncos game in Brisbane.
Injury ruled him out of that trip north, but again Wade Graham and his partner Karianne waited patiently for the birth of their first baby.
With the due date long since passed, surely before the Sea Eagles game, the pair would have hoped, but still no joy.
Graham went about his business at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Sunday, was close to his teams' best in the loss to Manly, before once off the field he quickly checked his messages, showered, changed and rushed home.
Then Monday it was, with the pair welcoming William Jacques Graham into the world.
Congratulations to Wade and Karianne on the birth of their new little Shark.
