Titans 12 Sharks 36
To paraphase the legendary football manager Brian Clough, if Paul Gallen is not the best player in the game at the moment - then he is at least in the top one.
He was everywhere for NSW in the second State of Origin, featured heavily in the Anzac test and last night came up with the consummate captain's display to lead his Cronulla side to a crucial win on the road.
Along with Kiwi Jeremy Smith, he helped to dominate the Titans' pack at the ruck and scored two tries in four minutes to effectively kill the game off with more than 25 minutes left on the clock.
Captaincy of club and state has matured him as a player and helped to take some of the nasty edges off his game. He is still uncompromising, but not as reckless as early years.
The Sharks started the season well, before an extended flat patch but this result, coupled with a good win over the Bulldogs last week, should see them only one win outside the top eight by the end of this round. The Titans remain dead last on the ladder, their 4-11 record heaping pressure on coach John Cartwright.
They lack starch in the forwards and confidence on attack, while their defence can be flimsy. Their first half effort was reasonable - Cartwright labelled it one of the best of the year - but they lost discipline and focus in the second as the Sharks lifted their intensity.
On paper they still have plenty of talent, but the belief has gone and they will need to focus on re-building for next year. It is debatable whether marquee signing Jamal Idris is the man to construct a side around as he sometimes resembles Willie Mason - plenty of size, not always quite so much heart.
The Titans had a great start, with Clinton Toopi coming up with one of the try assists of the year to send winger David Mead over. The Kiwi veteran produced a pass in mid-air, centimetres from the sideline and with four Sharks hanging off him.
The Sharks levelled the scores in the 18th minute after a clever set move put Nathan Gardner in near the posts. Each side grabbed another try before the break, with the deadly accurate kicking of Chris Townsend giving the Sydney side the edge. Gallen's brace stretched the lead beyond reply early in the second half .
Titans 12 (D. Mead, E. Tonga, S. Michaels tries), Sharks 36 (N. Gardner 2, N. Stapleton 2, P. Gallen 2 tries, C. Townsend 6 goals) Halftime: 8-12.
