Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon would’ve done well not to punch another monitor after his side went down to 11-men in a fiery start against Melbourne before losing in the final seconds.
The first sin bin came in the fifth minute when Michael Gabrael hit Storm winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown high.
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown is stretchered off the field. Getty Images
Tuimalatu-Brown had to be stretchered off the field after the incident, before Gabrael was given a 10-minute punishment.
On Nine’s coverage, Brad Fittler was asked if Gabrael was lucky it wasn’t a send-off.
“He’s absolutely fortunate,” was Fittler’s blunt reply.
Tuimalatu-Brown was conscious in the sheds after the incident, with Melbourne considering a hospital visit to assess any nerve damage.
Four minutes later, Ronaldo Mulitalo had a brain explosion and hurt his side with another sin bin.
The Sharks winger had run into a melee after the Storm were penalised for contact on kicker Riley Pollard.
Harry Grant was the man in trouble for late contact before Mulitalo ran from his wing to strike him across the face.
“He’d want to be really careful, he’s got a final to play next week as well,” Billy Slater said.
Referee Todd Smith then lectured Mulitalo and his captain Cameron McInnes, saying they had the penalty until the Sharks winger ran from a distance before putting him in the bin.
“I hope there’s a couple of spare monitors up there for Craig Fitzgibbon tonight,” Slater laughed.
After the sin bins, Melbourne went out to a 12-0 lead through tries for Hugo Peel and Sua Fa’alogo.
On Cronulla’s Old Boys Day, the Sharks didn’t go away and ended up with a half-time lead of 18-12.
The Storm also had an injury blow with Jahrome Hughes going off with a hamstring problem late in the first half. The injury will be a big watch for Hughes ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.
Following the break, the Storm levelled it up with a try to Alec MacDonald. In the 61st minute, Cronulla went ahead 20-18 through a penalty goal.
The score stayed that way until the final seconds when Melbourne continually threw the ball around. Grant eventually broke the line and threw a flick pass to Trent Loiero, who beat one defender to score the late winner.
The Storm celebrate their late winner. Getty Images
“What a way to finish your season,” Slater said.
Among the concerns with Gabrael and Mulitalo, the Sharks will also await to see how Addin Fonua-Blake is punished for a hip-drop tackle.
The Sharks will play the Cowboys next weekend in the first week of finals.