Player ratings for Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers following their finals meeting at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
1. Valentine Holmes
Missed the last tackle on Viliame Kikau for his vital try. However, he showed amazing poise under pressure to regather his short kick-off to give the Sharks a chance to put their noses in front again. 7/10
2. Sosaia Feki
Helped set up the Sharks second try of the night with sensational work in the air from a Matt Moylan kick. His important run down in the 74th minute helped set up Chad Townsend's field goal. 6.5
18. Jesse Ramien
One hundred metres from 11 runs saw him contribute towards the win without starring. 6
4. Ricky Leutele
Solid without being outstanding in attack, showing good strength past the point of contact with 45 metres for the game. 6
5. Edrick Lee
Came looking for work early but lacked opportunities for much of the game. 6
6. Matt Moylan
Try-saving tackle early on Isaah Yeo early and made the most of Cronulla's glut of possession in the first half with a slick short pass putting Luke Lewis over. Also got through plenty of work in defence and was active on the kick-chase. 8.5
7. Chad Townsend
Excellent kicking game early and was solid in defence despite being targeted by Penrith wrecking-ball Viliame Kikau. Stayed cool under pressure capped off by his match-winning field goal. 9
8. Andrew Fifita
Showed his dominance and ball-skills by supplying the last pass for the first try of the game and got through a mountain of work in his first stint. Finished up with 175 metres from 20 runs and 24 tackles. 8
9. Jayden Brailey
Crisp service from the ruck for most of the game with 33 tackles before being taken from the field after 53 minutes. 6.5
10. Matt Prior
Plenty of touches early in the game and did his job in the 44 minutes he was on the field. 6.5
11. Luke Lewis
The veteran inspired his side early with a huge shot in the 22nd minute forcing the mistake from Waqa Blake before forcing a drop-out soon after. Leg injury concern put a dampener on what was otherwise a spirited performance. 7.5
14. Kurt Capewell
Dependable on the left edge in his comeback from injury and added plenty of grunt in defence. 7
13. Paul Gallen
Inspirational runs through the middle third early in the contest helping to soften up the Panthers forwards. Left the field in the 50th minute with a corked shoulder but not before making 137 metres from 18 runs. 7
12. Scott Sorensen
Only played 14 minutes towards the end of the game which hampered his impact. 5
15. James Segeyaro
Provided usual spark off the bench and went close to denying Isaah Yeo his vital try in the 68th minute. 7
16. Aaron Woods
Busy off the bench before the break and took on extra responsibility after Paul Gallen went off hurt in the second stanza. Finished with 165 metres from 20 runs. 7.5
17. Jason Bukuya
Solid off the bench without standing out in the winning side with his physicality essential, with 91 total runs metres for the game but 51 metres past the point of contact. 6.5
Penrith Panthers
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak: Safe at the back and ran for more than 200 metres. One of the only backs to look threatening. 5/10
2. Josh Mansour: Made a respectable effort in carting the ball back, but was ineffectual in attack. 5
3. Waqa Blake: Like most of the Penrith backs was ineffectual for most of the night, but did well to back up and score a game-levelling try. 6
4. Tyrone Peachey: Struggled in attack but did save a try late to keep the scores level. 4
5. Christian Crichton: Less effective in taking pressure off his forwards and never given the chance to post points. 4
6. James Maloney: Somewhat redeemed himself with a line break assist, but otherwise was poor in attack and defence and gave away unnecessary penalties. 3
7. Nathan Cleary: Looked flat in attack but showed his character with a great chase to score the Panthers' lifeline try early in the second half. 6
8. Trent Merrin: Went missing and only made 11 metres in 21 minutes of game time. 3
9. Sione Katoa: 40 tackles without a miss, but did little to worry the Sharks in attack. 6
10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Critical drop when they had a chance to turn the momentum, but kept himself in the game with some good runs and a charge-down to stop Townsend from slotting a field goal on his first attempt. 7
11. Viliame Kikau: A rampaging break in the back end of the game and managed to set up Blake for a game-levelling try. 7
12. Isaah Yeo: Scored a critical try for the Panthers and ran for more than a hundred metres after being caught out in defence early. 7
13. James Fisher-Harris: Made a solid 31 tackles but only ran for 90 metres although 30 post-contact metres had him bending the Sharks line. 5
14. Tyrone May: Nine minutes off the bench for only four metres, had little chance to make a big impact. 4
15. Moses Leota: A strong effort off the bench to make 24 tackles in 20 minutes of game time, helping to keep his side in the game at the start of the second half. 5
16. Corey Harawira-Naera: 54 minutes and 30 tackles off the bench showed commitment to his side and a desire to stay in the game when it looked lost. 5
17. James Tamou: Did well to make 31 tackles in his 36 minutes, but couldn't break the game open. 6
