The Sydney Roosters have scored a big win at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 19, making Mitchell Aubusson's 303rd an eventful affair.
The Roosters seemed to be rolling throughout the 80 minutes, also ensuring milestone man Mitch Aubusson finished his club record 303rd game in red, white and blue a winner.
Just as he has in each of those previous 300-plus outings, Aubusson filled in more than capably, claiming a first-half double after being welcomed onto the paddock via a guard of honour from his teammates.
An ominous showing on first glance this wasn't in the title race.
Highlights | Roosters v Sharks
The Tricolours' 24-12 halftime lead was a fairer indication of this contest than the Sharks' admirable late rally.
After the premiers' nice milestone touch before kick-off for Aubusson, Joey Manu's short ball gave him a similar saloon passage to the try-line after just four minutes.
The same scenes soon enough though at the other end – with Shaun Johnson sending Siosifa Talakai past former Shark Kyle Flanagan – made for a 6-all ball game.
Another two points from a Flanagan penalty separated them, before Daniel Tupou stretched them further by wrestling past Sione Katoa in the 23rd minute.
The Roosters passes weren't quite as fluid as previous weeks.
Isaac Liu's footwork was another matter though, with a couple of would-be Cronulla defenders left for dead before Luke Keary loomed in support for a 20-6 advantage.
Aubusson Gets a Double in His Milestone Match
Aubusson's second – from an Angus Crichton grubber that neither he or Ronaldo Mulitalo could get a handle on at first grab before the veteran reeled it in – had the Sharks on the ropes.
An eye-catching return of serve from Mulitalo, with legs and arms in every direction as he flew for the corner, came after a long bust by Katoa.
A sublime short-side raid from the Roosters kept the points coming, Keary again on the score-sheet from a 50-metre play he featured in twice.
Late tries for Braden Hamlin-Uele and Manu followed before the Roosters make-shift fullback ended his night early with a sin-binning for a professional foul.
Manu scores from dummy half with three Sharks on his back
