PointsBet Stadium: Mick Ennis did his best to bite his tongue in the TV commentary box and simply said: “It’s out of control.”
Cronulla prop Royce Hunt wrapped his arms around Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds as he put through a kick on the last tackle, only to be immediately penalised.
The Broncos then scored a couple of minutes later to extend their lead and eventually triumph 20-12 on a blustery night in the Shire.
The question whether the game had gone too far with cracking down on contact on kickers was a hot topic earlier this season.
Ennis even quipped that a colleague needed to say something “before I say something silly”.
Hunt placed his left arm between Reynolds and made sure he wrapped his right arm to make sure the halfback was not in a dangerous position.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds is grounded by Sharks defenders.Credit: Getty
But because Reynolds was in the air, referee Todd Smith was overheard immediately saying “penalty”.
Cronulla had enough chances in the second half, enjoyed plenty of field position and possession, but were poor with their last-play options.
The Broncos were also excellent in defence and denied flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo on more than one occasion.
But the confusion about what constitutes illegal contact on kickers will no doubt lead to a need for a refresher for the players and fans.
Crowd favourite Nicho Hynes tried to inspire the home side after his late, late cameo for NSW on Wednesday night.
He was good in the first half, set up a try for Siosifa Talakai, but like most of his teammates struggled to kick into gear in the second half.
Mulitalo produced some individual brilliant early when he somehow defused a Reynolds kick that was about to be plucked out of the air by winger Jesse Arthars.
Reynolds kicked early in the tackle count, Mulitalo turned and chased hard and flung his right arm in the air, guessing where it might land by looking at Arthars’ line of sight.
Mulitalo was later placed on report for a crusher tackle on Kotoni Staggs, while hooker Blakye Brailey was also cited for a hip-drop tackle on Reece Walsh.
Walsh and fellow Origin representatives Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Tom Flegler all backed up for the Broncos, while winger Corey Oates was excellent in his comeback from a knee injury.
There was a quirky moment in the first half when Smith ordered the tackle count to start on “double zero” after Marty Taupau had knocked on, then Hynes was held down as he tried to play the ball. Cronulla completed two plays before Smith signalled the first tackle.
Brisbane No. 6 Ezra Mam completed a long-range try six minutes before the break that had TV commentators reminiscing about the sort of expansive play embraced by the almighty Broncos of the 1990s.
Walsh fired the ball wide to Mam who fired it even further for Oates to scoop up and run down field. He shanked the kick on the run, but it sat up for Mam to score.
Hynes was the last Shark giving chase.
The Sharks head to Melbourne next weekend while Brisbane host Newcastle.
