Five and a Kick: Choke on that – Sharks shed finals flakes reputation as Raiders suffer unwanted 16-year first

The Sharks have trampled over their reputation of being finals flakes while sending minor premiers Canberra straight out the back door with a 32-12 boilover.

Canberra became the first team to finish first and suffer two straight finals defeats since St George Illawarra 16 years ago and only the second since Canterbury suffered the same fate in 1993.

While they looked sluggish after their one-point extra-time loss to Brisbane the week before, Cronulla were energetic and electric to advance ...