The Roosters secured another win to go through the entire season unbeaten after taking down Cronulla.
Standing in their way of a perfect regular season was a Sharks outfit - who although are already locked in to play finals - were chasing revenge after losing last year's decider to the Tricolours in an absolute thriller.
With plenty of points flowing, it was perfect way to kick off the last round of the regular season and whet the appetite for the NRLW finals which kick off next week.
However, both sides face some injury concerns following the game, the biggest being a possible knee injury to star Roosters half Tarryn Aiken, with forward Amber Hall injuring her calf, while back Jess Sergis (back spasms) and Jayme Fressard (ankle) are also a concern. Meanwhile, young forward Aliyah Nasio was put on report and sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge and will be anxiously waiting to see if any judiciary charges may come.
For the Sharks, they lost winger Georgia Ravics to an ongoing knee complaint, causing a late backline shuffle and then halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu, also with a knee complaint, during the match, with coach Tony Herman saying post game they would have to wait for the result of scans.
Follow all the Round 11 action on ljmpta.com's live blog.
Roosters v Sharks at Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 11 -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Post match
Sharks
Sharks: Round 11
Roosters
Roosters: Round 11
Full-time: Roosters go through the regular season undefeated after posting a 40-10 win against the Sharks to wrap up the minor premiership. The side have impressed all season and didn't let up in their final regular season match - despite a few positional changes due to injury. Jocelyn Kelleher also became the first player to reach 250 NRLW points, converting four of the eight tries scored in the game. Her closest challenger Zahara Temara is on 147 points.
69th min: Young Roosters forward Aliyah Nasio is sent to the sin bin and put on report for a shoulder charge.
Nasio sent to the Sin Bin
63rd min: Despite the scoreline getting away from them, the Sharks haven't given up and are rewarded with a try out wide to Dominique du Toit. Nice work inside with Tyla King and Georgia Hannaway passes finding their mark. Hannaway can't convert and it's 40-10.
55th min: Keeley Davis is the latest Rooster on the board. After moving into the halves to accommodate the loss of Aiken, Davis finds herself in the right place to duck over the line an score another for her side. More points for Kelleher - who has surpassed 250 NRLW points - and the Roosters are up 40-6.
48 min: More points for the Roosters with the Sharks just having no answers. The visitors just can't keep the ball wrapped up when they are defending, allowing the Roosters to offload at will. This time a late offload and a few passes back inside to Taina Naividi - who has come in from the wing and is filling in at hooker - is the one to score. Kelleher misses the kick and it's 34-6.
Taina Naividi Try
45th min: Roosters are back on the charge, with Olivia Kernick going over untouched under the posts. Another conversion for Kelleher for the side to go up 30-6.
Injury alert - A lot of movement with Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Jada Taylor (HIA) off for the Sharks, while Amber Hall has come off for the Roosters for 'precautionary' reasons.
38th min: Good opening to the second half for the Sharks, forcing a Roosters error and then capitalising with Jada Taylor dashing in over their left side to score their opening points of the game. Georgia Hannaway converts and it's 24-6.
Jada Taylor Try
Half-time: The Roosters are in full control at the break with a 24-0 lead. They have had 60 percent of the possession and have an 80 percent completion rate. However, there are some concerns for halfback Tarryn Aiken who was assisted from the field with a knee issue. While on first viewing, it looked like she was in significant pain, the club are hopeful it is not as bad as first impressions. For the Sharks, there is plenty of work to do in the second half and while they have only made six errors to the Roosters' five, each one has been punished.
33rd min - injury alert: Sharks forward Jaydika Tafua comes off for a HIA.
32nd min: The one-way traffic continues for the Roosters, with Kelleher hitting powerful forward Amber Hall short at the line and good luck to anyone trying to stop her. Hall scores and Kelleher converts and it's 24-0.
24th min: An error from the Sharks who knock trying to collect a kick is punished by the relentless Roosters, with skipper Isabelle Kelly going over on the left in her return game from a facial fracture. Kelleher misses this one a well for 18-0.
Isabelle Kelly Try
21st min: More points for the Roosters, this time it's Mia Wood's turn to score on the other side of the field. The home side just run the ball up with easy, before going to their edge. Kelleher misses this conversion attempt and it's 14-0.
18th min: Jayme Fressard has her second try of the night, fighting her way to get the ball down to the ground after taking a Kelleher kick. Dom Du Toit tried her best to hold her up in-goal, but the NSW winger proved too strong. Kelleher slots the conversion for a 10-0 lead.
16th min - injury alert: Big blow for the Roosters, with representative half Tarryn Aiken coming off with a suspected knee injury.
Aiken leaves the field injured
5th min: First points to the Roosters with Jayme Fressard over on the left-hand side, with some nice passing from Jocelyn Kelleher out to skipper Isabelle Kelly who pops a short ball out to her winger. Kelleher can't convert and scores remain 4-0.
Jayme Fressard Try
Late Mail
Roosters: Isabelle Kelly will make an early return from an oral fracture, with the captain named to line up in the centres. However Corban Baxter's return from an ankle injury remains at least a week away. Kelly's comeback will see Jayme Fressard return to the wing, with Mia Wood moving to the interchange. No late game day changes with Shawden Burton the 18th player.
Sharks: More changes on game day with Dom du Toit coming onto the wing for Georgia Ravics. Another change sees Manilita Takapautolo start as prop, with Stephanie Faulkner swapping back to the bench. Emerging forward Rhiannon Byers remained in the squad is the 18th players as she looks to return from a back injury. Earlier, a change on Wednesday saw Nakia Davis-Welsh replaced on the bench by Jacinta Carter. Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu is also back on deck.
