23 Aug 2008

Sharks seal home final, Broncos win golden point thriller

8:50 am on 23 August 2008

Cronulla secured a home final and sent the Sydney Roosters' National Rugby League season into freefall with a 20-0 shutout at home.

As they've done all season, the Sharks muscled up in defence and did just enough in attack as they joined ladder leaders Melbourne on 34 competition points courtesy of the three tries to nil victory.

While the Sharks remain in the hunt for the top two and even the minor premiership, the slumping Roosters are now just one point ahead of fifth-placed Brisbane on the back of coach Brad Fittler's first ever three match losing streak.

In Queensland a freakish Darren Lockyer play gave Brisbane a 25-21 golden point win that ended the Gold Coast's brave NRL season.

The scores were locked at 21-21 after Lockyer's 77th minute field goal was matched by Titans halfback Scott Prince a minute later.

Then Lockyer's brilliance led to Greg Eastwood scoring in the fourth minute of extra time.

Lockyer shaped to take a field goal on the last tackle but dummied to link up with centre Joel Moon as the Titans defenders charged forward.

Moon offloaded to Lockyer who fed Eastwood on his inside for the try.