The Sharks were beaten 30-6 by Melbourne in late June, but coaches and players alike now point to that game as the moment they saw signs of improvement following three losses in four matches.
Equally important was a crucial meeting before that clash, after Cronulla had capitulated the previous Sunday to surrender a 16-point lead against Brisbane.
Siosifa Talakai has revealed that Cronulla Sharks players were “at each other’s throats” during a mid-season collapse against the Brisbane Broncos, an honesty session that would ultimately revive their NRL premiership hopes.
“In the second half against Broncos, we were at each other’s throats,” Sharks forward Talakai told AAP this week.
MORE: Melbourne Storm star tipped to return for Sharks’ preliminary final
“I think it was because we were under so much pressure and we were so frustrated with each other.
“And we started to put it on each other and keep each other accountable. I feel like it rubbed a couple of players up a bit the wrong way.”
According to second-rower Billy Burns, that moment of truth shifted their mindset.
“You could say we had an honest chat about it,” Burns said.
“Looking back at it, it was a frustrating time.
“We were able to give each other some constructive criticism without some backlash.”
That pressure release set the tone for the Storm clash and a bye week that followed.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon also played a key role, demanding a response from his squad.
“There was a spray because we didn’t put the effort in,” prop Toby Rudolf said.
“Fitzy is really big on turning up, on effort and certain areas like that. Against the Broncos we didn’t do it, we copped a big spray.
“Fitzy believes in a positive coaching mindset. So when he does turn the screws a bit, we realise it’s on us. And we did realise.
“(It’s like) Mum had a cry. So we listened and we turned it around.”
A critical takeaway from Fitzgibbon’s address was the urgent need to fix Cronulla’s defence, once a pre-season NRL favourite, the Sharks had leaked 134 points across four games.
The turnaround since then has been striking: Cronulla have secured nine wins from their past 10 matches while conceding only 144 points, setting up a blockbuster preliminary final with Melbourne.
Now seen as a dark horse in the NRL title race, Cronulla will return to AAMI Park on Friday night for a preliminary final showdown with the Melbourne Storm, the same venue where their remarkable turnaround began.