{
  "id": 8541889,
  "title": "Cronulla's last step in the NRL finals always seems their longest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/cronullas-last-step-in-the-nrl-finals-always-seems-their-longest-8541889",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T21:15:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-20/nrl-finals-sydney-roosters-cronulla-sharks-defeat/107172732"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The final step in the NRL playoffs seems to always be the most challenging for Cronulla. After a 46-10 defeat to the Roosters, their season has come to an end. This was their fifth consecutive finals series and the fourth time it extended into the second week. Consistency under coach Craig Fitzgibbon has been a rare trait among many other clubs. Despite playing more finals games than Gold Coast and Wests Tigers combined in the past five years, the Sharks consistently find themselves in contention but never quite achieving victory. They possess the talent and skills to be a premiership contender but something always seems to hold them back. They know what a top-tier team looks like, having faced them numerous times, but never quite reach that level themselves. This loss to the Roosters leaves them with one win and five losses against top four teams since the start of 2022, with the only victory coming against the depleted Raiders in Canberra last year. The defeat was particularly brutal, with Nicho Hynes injured early and a dominant performance from Roosters player Angus Crichton. The Sharks have a tendency to run plays from closer to their opponents' goal line, resulting in fewer tries from inside their own half compared to other teams in the league. Despite their strong season, the team faces the possibility of significant changes over the summer, with key players departing for other clubs. However, the remaining talent, tenacity, and desire to succeed could provide the extra push needed to overcome their struggles and finally achieve success in the final step of their journey.",
  "summary": "Plenty of teams would kill for the sustained finals appearances Cronulla have found in recent years, but after falling short again the Sharks could be on the cusp of the change they need.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Cronulla's last step in the NRL finals always seems their longest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/cronullas-last-step-in-the-nrl-finals-always-seems-their-longest",
        "published": "2026-09-19T21:15:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}