The Warriors have produced one of the club’s biggest comeback wins, mowing down the Sharks 32-30 with a last-minute penalty goal at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.
In a remarkable finish, Shaun Johnson slotted a goal near the siren after Josh Curran was ruled to have been pushed while attempting to chase down a kick, before Nicho Hynes missed his own goal kick at full-time to level the scores.
The Sharks picked up where they left off against the Dragons last week to run in four tries in 26 minutes and set up a 20-0 lead but by the 68th minute they were locked in a 30-30 battle against a Warriors side inspired by Johnson.
A try to Curran via a Johnson pass levelled the scores in the 67th minute as the locals at Shark Park looked on stunned with the visitors on the verge of snatching the win.
The Warriors were forced to make 60 more tackles than their opponents early with Teig Wilton opening the scoring via a Nicho Hynes kick before wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa crossed through simple backline movements.
Warriors hooker Wayde Egan finished off a Johnson kick to get the visitors on the board until Will Kennedy, who took advantage of Ronald Volkman being off the field for a head injury assessment, strolled over on the right edge.
The Warriors hit back through Marata Niukore on the right edge to complete a high-scoring first half but the back-rower finished the opening 40 minutes in the sin-bin for an alleged hip drop on Siosifa Talakai.
Niukore’s absence was not felt, however, with the Warriors striking again through Johnson after a clean drop by Mulitalo was picked up by the former Sharks playmaker to run to the line.
An error from Talakai, who failed to play the ball correctly, opened the door for the Warriors to pounce again and a slick play on the right edge enabled Edward Kosi to charge over the line with 26 minutes left.
A second try to Mulitalo on the left edge, who took advantage of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad error in the air, gave the Sharks some breathing space with a converted try separating them before Curran’s effort levelled the game and set up the win.