The Sharks couldn't rattle the undefeated Roosters in a disappointing 40-10 loss at polytec Stadium on Thursday night.
From the beginning, it was clear the now minor premiers were sitting in first spot for a reason. Their energy and intensity didn't fade for the entirety of the match despite losing star halfback Taryn Aiken in the first half.
In attacking range from the outset, the Roosters were the first to strike with quick hands out to Jayme Fressard who slid across the line on the wing.
In response, a powerful run from prop Ellie Johnson allowed the Sharks to get a solid kick away, and after two tackles in defence, an error saw Cronulla in try-scoring range for the first time. Unfortunately, they couldn't capitalise.
In an unfortunate blow for the home team, playmaker Aiken was assisted off the field with a knee injury just 15 minutes into the match.
Pouncing on a Cronulla error, a cross-field kick from Roosters No.7 Jocelyn Kelleher saw Fressard soar over the line for her second of the night. After back-to-back sets, slick hands from the Roosters proved too much for Cronulla as Mia Wood crossed for the hosts' third four-pointer of the night.
Centre Isabelle Kelly then snagged a try on her return from an oral fracture, slamming the ball over the line following a perfectly placed tap-on from her inside player.
The Roosters struck once more when interchange forward Amber Hall barged her way across one minute before the break, the margin 24-0 on the siren.
Cronulla came out firing when play restarted, with fullback Jada Taylor finding space and working her magic to slip past the defence. Hooker Georgia Hannaway slotted the goal to give the Sharks a ray of hope.
Taylor was forced off for a HIA, which she passed, after a knock while scoring.
But the Roosters soon seized control again. Lock Olivia Kernick dived under the posts after receiving an offload before winger Taina Naividi found the line. A scoot play from hooker Keely Davis stretched the Tricolours' lead out to 40-6.
The away team didn't give up, however, and scoring her first NRLW try was Sharks winger Dominique du Toit. The final margin sat at 30 points.
It was a tough outing for Cronulla, but they'll need to dust themselves off quickly as attention turns to next week's do-or-die finals clash.
