Mitchell Pearce relaunched his bid for the NSW halfback jersey by guiding the Sydney Roosters to their first NRL win in 56 days at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Pearce was involved in everything - scoring a try, setting up another and booting the match-sealing field goal - as the Roosters snapped their six-game losing streak with a 19-12 victory over Cronulla in front of just 7,472 fans.

It was the Roosters' first win since they beat Cronulla, also 19-12, at Toyota Stadium on May 2 and ends the Sharks' four-game winning run.

Importantly, the win boosts the Roosters' chances of avoiding the club's first wooden spoon since 1966.

They still sit in 16th place on the NRL table, but they've closed the gap on the Wests Tigers, Cronulla and Canberra to just one win.

Pearce was the standout in the Roosters side, taking matters into his own hands to deliver their first points with a brilliant right-foot step for a try in the 31st minute.

The Roosters still trailed 12-6 at halftime thanks to first-half tries to Blake Ferguson and Nathan Stapleton, but they quickly hit back after the break.

Fullback Sam Perrett scored in the 45th minute after Sharks lock Paul Gallen fumbled Pearce's grubber in the in-goal area.

Winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall gave the Roosters the lead just three minutes later after an enterprising piece of play which started in their own half.

Pearce finally sealed the victory with a 25m field goal in the 72nd minute.

It was a fitting finale as Pearce had stepped up his output following the season-ending injury to five-eighth and captain Braith Anasta last week, putting forward a case for a recall to the NSW side.

The 20-year-old made one appearance for NSW in Origin III last year, but was overlooked because of the Roosters' poor form as selectors favoured Peter Wallace.

But with NSW surrendering the series title for a fourth consecutive time and Wallace's future as a Blue in serious doubt, Pearce would be among the contenders pushing for selection in the July 15 dead-rubber in Brisbane.

Pearce said Origin III was not in his thoughts, adding NSW selectors should hand Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley a NSW recall.

"I think Noddy Kimmorley's been the best halfback all year," he said.

"I haven't even thought about it. I just wanted to get a win for the Roosters."

The victory also ends a turbulent period in Brad Fittler's short coaching career.

Without a contract for 2010, Fittler has endured a nightmare week which included fining himself $10,000 for an alcohol-related incident in Townsville last week.

"I don't think I was ever a career coach," said Fittler.

"There's definitely sides to it. A lot of coaches talk about the stress of the job. It can be a demanding job ... there's a real great side to it too.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks, a tough couple of months really.

"I have not enjoyed the last couple of weeks, especially the last week.

"Maybe you have to lose that many (games) to feel this good."

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart meanwhile admitted lock Paul Gallen's shoulder injury, which he carried into the State of Origin II loss last Wednesday, requires at least a month of rest.

Gallen was a virtual passenger playing off the bench on Saturday night but Stuart said he would persist playing him and try to incorporate extra rest around their bye in two weeks' time.

"It's the same (injury) he played the other night. They (NSW) played him, there's no reason why we should not," said Stuart.

"He is playing in a bit of pain but he is a tough guy.

"I feel sorry for him at the moment. He needs to get a month off."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP