August 21, 2005: On what was a glorious afternoon at the then-Toyota Park, the Sharks racked up 68 points against old foes Manly.
Returning to home soil after a narrow loss at the hands of the Roosters the week prior, the Sharks ran out in front of a crowd of 13,325 to commemorate '70's Week' against their 1973 and 1978 grand final opponents.
Sharks halfback and Skipper Brett Kimmorley lead the side out onto the park for what was his 200th appearance in the top grade, and little did 'Noddy' know that he and the side would create history later that day.
Cronulla piled on 68 points - scoring 12 tries, with Luke Covell converting on 10 occassions - to Manly's six, to record the biggest win in the Club's history.
Kimmorley and halves partner Nigel Vagana bagged three tries apiece, while centres Paul Mellor chimed and Beau Scott chimed in with one and two tries respectively. Current Club Captain Paul Gallen crossed the stripe, so too did lock Matt Hilder and retiring prop Jason Stevens.
Stevens' try was the 13th and last of his 231 NRL game career, and he said it was a special moment in front of the Cronulla faithful.
"When I scored that try, I walked off the field and the whole of the Andrew Ettingshausen stand stood up and clapped. I was taken back by it," Stevens said.
"I was kind of like 'hang on, it's not over yet'.
"It was almost like a farewell, and then the next week I popped my shoulder and I never played again."
Although the Sharks were well and truly in contention for a finals showing, Stevens' injury would rule him out of any appearances beyond round 25 against the Knights.
Having scored three tries that day, the prop forward paid credit to his good mate 'Noddy' Kimmorley, and said he was one of the very best he had played with in his 14-year career.
"It was a great farewell, although I didn't know it at the time," he said.
"Noddy was one of the best halfbacks that I've ever seen. He was just tough, skilful and reliable.
"It was a pleasure to play with him, and scoring a hat-trick that afternoon just showed the influence he could have on a game."
Re-live the very fond memories of that day, with highlights from the match now playing on Sharks TV.
