Epic last-minute draw for Women's Premiership Sharks

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Thu 9 Jul 2026, 08:13 PM

Cronulla showed pure fight and determination to draw 14-14 with the Central Coast Roosters on Thursday night.

Proving why they are a top four side, the Roosters capitalised early on errors and poor discipline from the Sharks, which allowed the Chooks to rack up three first half tries, with only one conversion.

A strong positive the home side can take out of the draw is that they held their opposition to nil in the second half, and were able to score before the final siren, and level the score just after it thanks to an Ella Ropata conversion.

In slippery conditions, both sides made early errors, but it was the Sharks who paid for it when Sharni Waters struck first in the right corner. Tia Cook was unable to convert, leaving the score at 4-0.

Proving their eagerness to win, led by the powerful runs of Mele Ketuu, Cronulla were able to surge up field, and execute a perfect kick, that they backed up with strong defence.

The Roosters followed up with some fire of their own, just before the 15-minute mark, they added another four points to their tally, this time with Logan Fletcher taking on the line and dummying the defence in the opposite corner.

With their first set in the away sides 20’, the hosts showed promising signs, getting away a kick, and earning themselves a repeat set following a dropout, though they could not crack the brick wall ahead.

The game sat steady throughout the middle phases, shaping up to be an even battle, though fatigue got the better of the Sharks, and Felila Fakalelu crashed her way over under the posts after 32 minutes. Tia Cook added the extras, sending her side into half-time with a 14-0 lead.

The home side started the better of the two teams after the break, finally getting a reward for all her strong carries, Ketuu sliced through a gap and strode across five metres in from touch. Although Ella Ropata could not convert the tough kick as the match became a 10-point ballgame.

The shift in momentum saw Cronulla complete a 60-metre attacking set, and Koffi Brookfield was able to trap the Roosters in their own end from her towering bomb. Though, a penalty gave the opposition a piggyback up field.

Conditions got tougher as the rain pelted down, reducing the game plan back to simple footy and powerful runs.

Halfway through the second 35, a crucial penalty for a ruck infringement put the Sharks in prime attacking territory, and a smart play from Ropata to kick at the defender’s legs, earned her side a repeat set.

In the 52nd minute, Koffi Brookfield spun out of a tackle and crossed for a much needed four pointer to keep her side in the game. Ropata could not slot the goal, and the hosts still needed a converted try to draw the game.

Down to the wire, the Sharks never gave up hope and Manawanui James burst through three defenders to slam the ball over with 43 seconds left to play, a tough kick for Ropata to level the scores, though with ease she converted.

The final score was 14 all in a gutsy performance by both sides, but in turn was a huge confidence booster for Cronulla as they entered the match with only one win and three losses to start the season.

The NSW Women’s Premiership Sharks now turn their attention to the Bulldogs on July 18 at Henson Park.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Thursday 9 Jul

Full Time

Sharks

CC Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Georgia Willey

Fullback for CC Roosters is number 1 Logan Fletcher
Winger for Sharks is number 4 Courtney Tyrell

Winger for CC Roosters is number 2 Sharni Waters
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Marewakiterangi Samson

Centre for CC Roosters is number 3 Majayda Darcy
Centre for Sharks is number 16 Mele Ketuu

Centre for CC Roosters is number 4 Mia Wood
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Lacie Bowling

Winger for CC Roosters is number 5 Manisha Seebeck
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 7 Koffi Brookfield

Five-Eighth for CC Roosters is number 14 Meg McPhail
Halfback for Sharks is number 6 Ella Ropata

Halfback for CC Roosters is number 7 Talea Tonga

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Bella Sykes

Prop for CC Roosters is number 8 Te Raukura Leafe
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Olivia Herman

Hooker for CC Roosters is number 9 Tatum Bird
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Alianna Tonuu

Prop for CC Roosters is number 10 Tyra Dymock
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Mikayla Langer

2nd Row for CC Roosters is number 11 Taneisha Gray
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Charlotte Hall

2nd Row for CC Roosters is number 12 Nikiah Campbell
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Leilani Ahsam

Lock for CC Roosters is number 13 Aaliyah Paki

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 2 Sian Filipo

Interchange for CC Roosters is number 15 Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Keely Smith

Interchange for CC Roosters is number 16 Tia Cook
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Sienna Price

Interchange for CC Roosters is number 17 Felila Fakalelu
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Manawanui James

Interchange for CC Roosters is number 19 Kyana Patten