Sharks overrun by Roosters in Perth

Cronulla held a commanding 22-6 lead when front-rower Tom Hazelton scored in the 33rd minute, but a Roosters try on the stroke of half-time and four more after the break put paid to their hopes of a third consecutive victory.

Key stats favoured the Roosters, who had 55% of the ball and led the penalty count 8-4. Cronulla's Blayke Brailey (hip drop) and Billy Burns (high tackle) will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Committee after landing on report.

The Roosters found early joy as captain James Tedesco split the defence through the middle and tore upfield, but the representative fullback was chopped down from behind after a one-two passing exchange with halfback Sam Walker.

Mark Nawaqanitawase was somehow denied by the Sharks defence on the next tackle, their effort to hold up the powerful winger allowing the line to re-set.

An error a few plays later was swooped upon by Cronulla flyer Sione Katoa, quickly putting the Sharks on the attack. They snared first points as lock Jesse Colquhoun charged over near the posts for his second try of the season.

Cronulla cracked another blow four minutes later when a Nicho Hynes pass was deflected by Roosters No.7 Walker into the path of Mawene Hiroti, the centre strolling across the line to make it three tries in three Perth appearances.

With the Roosters doing themselves no favours amid a glut of errors, the Sharks pulled further ahead in the 24th minute when five-eighth Braydon Trindall hit a hole close to the line thanks to smart work from hooker Brailey.

The Tricolours wrested back some much-needed momentum through the dynamic Walker, who schemed down the shortside to send Hugo Savala into open pasture before accepting an inside ball to touch down under the sticks.

It appeared the Roosters had scored their second try via centre Robert Toia after Sam Stonestreet spilled a bomb moments later, but the Bunker intervened – awarding a penalty to the Sharks for interference during the kick contest.

It was a crucial decision. Down the other end of the field, Cronulla stretched their advantage with prop Hazelton barrelling through the Roosters' front door.

A Roosters try as the half-time siren sounded after Walker laid on a perfect cross-field kick for the towering Daniel Tupou out wide sent the Sharks into the sheds with a 10-point buffer that perhaps didn't quite reflect their dominance.

The Roosters continued their roll when play resumed. A one-on-one strip from Connor Watson put them in good field position before Nawaqanitawase rose high to tap a well-placed bomb back into the path of its kicker, Daly Cherry-Evans.

Brailey landed on report for a hip drop on his opposite number Reece Robson in the 47th minute, precipitating a heavy run of possession for the Roosters. But the Sharks stood firm, repelling wave after wave of attack.

Burns then fell foul of the referee for a 57th-minute shot on Suia Wong.

With momentum going the way of the Roosters, Cronulla's defensive dam eventually broke with Tupou finishing off a smooth left-edge shift.

Walker's conversion attempt was waved away, leaving the scores locked at 22-all. But the Roosters were soon in front for the first time in the match – Tedesco and Nawaqanitawase combining potently to serve up a double for Cherry-Evans.

The dagger came off another kick – Nawaqanitawase again winning the contest, palming the Steeden back for Walker to pick up the scraps and link with returning fan favourite Victor Radley for the Tricolours' fifth try of the afternoon.

The Sharks will reflect and recover with the bye next weekend before heading to Townsville to face the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 8.