The Cronulla Sharks may have turned back time, but they couldn't reverse the result of that infamous '73 grand final, going down 32-26 against the Manly Sea Eagles.

The highly-anticipated match was played out in front of 10,114 supporters with both teams playing for the Steve Rogers Trophy, in memory of the late Sharks Immortal and CEO.

The Sharks couldn't have asked for a better start to the match opening the scoring after just two minutes. It all came from a Trent Barrett cross field bomb which found the hands of winger Luke Covell who battered the ball back for Matt Wright to score the try. Covell missed the conversion attempt but later made up for it with a penalty in front of the uprights.

Manly hit straight back though with a try to David Williams after a clever grubber kick was neatly-threaded through by captain Matt Orford, who then converted to bring the scores level at 6-all after just 10 minutes.

Five minutes later, the northern beaches side crossed for their second try of the night after Brent Kite barged his way through the Sharks defensive line to place the ball over the line. Orford converted, Manly hit the lead 12-6 in what was already a pulsating affair.

In the 20th minute, Luke Covell decided to take it upon himself darting and weaving his way through the opposition defence gaining approximately 30 metres. From there, the ball found the hands of Anthony Tupou who made a 40m line break, then offloading to Ben Pomeroy who scooted across out wide. Covell brought the scores to 12-a-piece.

Within a blink of an eye, the Sharks were back in front however after a deft grubber kick from halfback Scott Porter pulled up short in the in-goal area for a flying Blake Ferguson to pounce on and score the Sharks third try of the night. Covell converted and the Sharks took an 18-12 lead.

Manly bounced back three minutes later after Kieran Foran, a replacement for the injured Chris Bailey, found a gaping hole in the Sharks defensive line to score his first four pointer of the year. Orford missed his conversion attempt leaving the score at 18-16.

Both sides seemed to be going tit-for-tat as Ben Pomeroy looked to have scored a double down the left-hand flank. This time it was Ferguson who made a line break, dishing the ball back inside before being bundled into touch for 'Pom' to clean up. The decision was sent upstairs to video referee Paul Simpkins who awarded the try sending the Sharks into the halftime break with a 22-16 lead.

After the break, the home side were put under the pump by an enthusiastic Manly side. The Sea-Eagles made a number of tackle busts and line breaks and although the Sharks held strong for a solid five minutes, they were unlucky to see captain Trent Barrett sent to the sin-bin. Barrett was penalised for holding down Anthony Watmough after the NSW Origin lock bustled his way through the middle of the park before being brought down by the Sharks number six. Captain Matt Orford decided to level the scores at 22-all with a successful penalty conversion.

The following 15 minutes became a tight tussle with both sides mounting a number of attacking raids but just couldn't crack either try line. The Sharks defensive line continued to hold strong as the northern beaches side kept coming and coming. It was a spirited effort by the black, white and blue after a number of decisions went the other way and they were starved of possession. Prop Kade Snowden was a stand-out for the Sharks with Coach Ricky Stuart paying tribute to the former Knight.

"When Kade came here from his previous club, he was fortunate to string nine to twelve minutes together in regards to the intensity and pace," Stuart said.

"He played 80 minutes tonight and that's a great compliment to a bloke who has put so much effort in over the past two years and we needed that effort, he really stood up tonight."

After 70 minutes Orford had the opportunity to put his side two points ahead after Manly were awarded a penalty, but he sprayed the ball wide from virtually straight in front leaving the scores level.

That wouldn't dent the maroon and white's optimism however, as they spread the ball wide from the resulting 20m drop-kick to find hulking winger Tony Williams who forced his way over the try line. The try came after Ben Farrar got on the outside of his opposite number drawing the winger in and offloading the ball wide.

With five minutes remaining, Manly hammered home with some aggressive dummy-half play by Glenn Stewart allowing Farrar to follow foot and barge his way over the line. Orford converted pushing the score out to 32-22.

The Sharks didn't give up though, with a consolation try to winger Covell seeing him reach the 1000 points milestone after he leaped above Williams with just seconds remaining.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Sharks who looked to be the better of the two sides throughout the match.

The Sharks will head down to Olympic Park next Saturday to play against the Melbourne Storm, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

CRONULLA 26 (B Pomeroy 2, L Covell, B Ferguson, M Wright tries, L Covell 3 goals.
defeated by
MANLY 32 (B Farrar, K Foran, B Kite, G Rose, T Williams, D Williams tries, M Orford 4 goals.