‘Braydon has learned a valuable life lesson’: Trindall puts turmoil aside to spark Sharks

Broncos 12 Sharks 22

Cronulla halfback Braydon Trindall has bounced back from tough times off the field to lead a 22-12 comeback win over Brisbane in one of his finest hours.

In the absence of rested star half Nicho Hynes, the Sharks No.7 scored a try and set up two others at Suncorp Stadium as the visitors rebounded from a 12-4 half-time deficit.

The win ended a two-match losing streak for the Sharks and returned them to the top of the ladder.

The NRL issued Trindall with a breach notice last month after he pleaded guilty in court to mid-range drink-driving and the presence of a prescribed illicit drug after an incident on April 22.

He was stood down by the Sharks to focus on his mental health and missed five games.

Saturday’s clash with the Broncos was his second match back and the 24-year-old stood tall to play a key role in a stunning win in front of 41,004 fans.

The Sharks scored three tries in a devastating seven-minute spell after the break.

Cronulla’s back five are a key strength and it was winger Sione Katoa who stepped his way through from a scrum with power and deception to narrow the margin to two points straight after the break.

Five minutes later, Trindall threw a dummy and blitzed his way past back-rower Brendan Piakura and the Sharks had the lead.

The Broncos had barely drawn breath after that double blow when a Trindall bomb was dropped by fullback Tristan Sailor and Blayke Brailey scored.

Sharks prop Royce Hunt came off the bench and was enormous with his energy and brute strength, while centre Jesse Ramien put in a stellar display to stake his claim to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the NSW State of Origin side.

Brisbane captain Patrick Carrigan, backing up from Origin with Queensland, backed up a burst by hooker Billy Walters to score the opening try under the sticks after 11 minutes.

But the Sharks returned serve when back-rower Siosifa Talakai started and finished a left-edge attacking movement with brute strength.

The Broncos defended set after set on their own line as the Sharks launched repeated waves of attack but came up empty.

As so often happens, the Broncos then took their first opportunity up the other end.

Hooker Tyson Smoothy scored when half Jock Madden’s grubber kick ricocheted back into Madden’s arms.

The Broncos, with several players backing up from Origin, ran out of gas in the second half and made multiple errors, with their last-play options poor.

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An inspired Cronulla run in 18 unanswered second-half points to hand Brisbane a third loss in their past four games at Suncorp Stadium. The Sharks regain top spot on the live ladder but will slip back to second if Melbourne defeat Newcastle on Sunday.

77 min: Ten points ahead with three minutes remaining, Sharks appear home and hosed. Sharks 22-12

65 min: Broncos are penalised for being offside but Trindall misses a relatively easy shot at goal that would have given his team a crucial 12-point lead. Sharks 22-12

50 min: Sharks score their third try in seven minutes: Sailor spills a Trindall bomb, Talakai picks up the crumbs and offloads for Brailey to score. Trindall converts for a 10-point Sharks’ lead. Sharks 22-12

48 min: The Broncos fall hook, line and sinker for a dummy from Trindall, who scores from close range. Huge moment in the game potentially. Trindall converts. Sharks 16-12

43 min: Katoa breaks through the attempted tackles of Cobbo and Mam to cross for his ninth try of the season. Trindall’s kick raises the flags. Great start to the second half for the Sharks. Broncos 12-10

41 min: Sharks kick off to get the game under way again.