Boosted by the support of a few high-profile fans, Cronulla resurrected its NRL top four hopes with a 16-10 come-from behind win over the Sydney Roosters at Toyota Park.

Having lost their last three matches after a scintillating start to the season, the Sharks enlisted the backing of Federal Treasurer Peter Costello, former running golden girl Cathy Freeman and superstar swimmer Ian Thorpe to help get their season back on track.

But it was the return of some discipline in defence and patience in attack after a hard week on the training paddock that helped the Sharks turn a 10-2 halftime deficit into a morale boosting win, which sees them, temporarily at least, regain their spot in the top four.

"We've had a tough three weeks, we haven't played well, but the thing is I think we're very honest with that, we put our hands up," Sharks coach Stuart Raper said.

"We always said we wanted to base our performances on defence and I thought especially that second half, our defensive effort was very strong and I can only give the players a big rap.

"I gave them a blast after last week's game (a 34-18 loss to Wests Tigers)... the way they applied themselves this week and the way they played was a credit to the players."

Three unanswered second half tries to Sharks trio Nigel Vagana, Paul Mellor and Phil Bailey cancelled out first half four-pointers to Roosters Ryan Cross and Joel Monaghan.

The Sharks came out firing in the second period after a lacklustre first half, which started with makeshift hooker Greg Bird knocking on from the kick-off.

The visitors took a 6-0 lead when halfback Brett Finch fired an inside ball to Ryan Cross after 10 minutes, and after a Luke Covell penalty goal.

Cronulla should have taken what would have been an undeserved lead into the break, only for a selfish piece of play by Paul Gallen, who blew a certain try for the home side when he ignored the support play of Vagana 10m out from the tryline after a fine bust up the middle.

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