Overview

• Cronulla reached the preliminary final with a 32-12 win over minor premiers Canberra, their ninth victory in 10 games.
• The Sharks face Melbourne at AAMI Park on Friday, entering as underdogs with long odds to progress.
• Ronaldo Mulitalo said external doubts will persist until Cronulla win a title, calling a premiership the only route to respect.
• Mulitalo defended on-field sledging as a legitimate tactic following debate sparked by Hudson Young’s sin-bin involving Reece Walsh.
• Prop Tom Hazelton is out with a category one concussion, while Toby Rudolf and Billy Burns were fined $1000 each but cleared to play.