NRL finals LIVE: Sharks take early lead with try to Katoa, Panthers ...

With no Joseph Manu, James Tedesco, Billy Smith or Joseph Suaalii on the field, the Sharks have gone on the attack.

Nicho Hynes gets the ball on the left edge and shovels it on to Ronaldo Mulitalo on the wing who goes over to collect more points for the Sharks.

The Sharks have made the most of having an extra man on the field, and the Roosters are struggling.

Sharks 10, Roosters 6 with 26 minutes to go

The Roosters are in big trouble.

First they lose Joseph Suaalii and Billy Smith with a concussion and an HIA, and then Joseph Manu goes off the field limping.

But now, skipper James Tedesco is sent to the sin bin for tackling Nicho Hynes when he wasn’t square at marker.

The Roosters have just 12 on the field and the Sharks are on the attack.

Sharks 6, Roosters 6 with 28 minutes to go

The difference is just six - not a buffer the Sharks would be comfortable with.

Sam Walker kicks off to get the second hald under way and Oregon Kaufusi takes the first carry for Cronulla.

Sharks 6, Roosters 0 with 39 minutes to go

The Sharks hit the sheds ahead by just six points with that try to Sione Katoa in the 14th minute the only try of the night so far.

It was a frustrating first half for the Roosters, who had opportunities but let simple errors get in the way of points.

Six points isn’t a comfortable lead by any means, and Cronulla will be looking to extend that lead when they come back out for the final 40 minutes.

Half-time: Sharks 6, Roosters 0

Sione Katoa celebrates after scoring in the 14th minute.Credit: Getty

Roosters hooker Brandon Smith looks very uncomfortable after Cronulla forward thomas Hazelton accidentally comes down on his ankle.

Don’t worry folks, it wasn’t a hip drop, just an awkward tackle.

The Roosters medic straps Smith’s ankle over his boot right there on the pitch, and he plays on with just a few minutes left in this half.

Sharks 6, Roosters 0 after 37 minutes

The Roosters didn’t get to celebrate this one very much, because Gerard Sutton sent it up straight away as a no try.

An initial tackle from Sam Walker on Jack Williams forces the ball free, and the ball is scooped up by Joseph Manu who shifts it right to Joseph Suaalii on the wing to score.

But on review, Manu knocks the ball on as he tries to collect it.

The Roosters get the scrum feed because the advantage isn’t played, but history repeats itself - Joseph Suaalii puts the ball down, and the Roosters once again can’t ice the crucial moments.

Sharks 6, Roosters 0 after 36 minutes

The Roosters get a leg up the field with a penalty, and they look like on the brink of scoring.

But the no-look pass from James Tedesco goes too wide for Joseph Suaalii, and the ball tumbles over the touch line.

Sharks 6, Roosters 0 after 26 minutes

Siua Wong makes a line break.Credit: Getty