An incredible solo try from Nathan Gardner epitomised a breathtaking Sharks performance as they crushed the Roosters 42-18 in the NRL match at Sydney Football Stadium.

The Sharks scored seven tries to three to answer critics of their attacking prowess.

It was the first 30-point plus effort from the Sharks this season and their highest tally since they racked up 46 against the Broncos on June 22 last year.

Rookie fullback Gardner, playing in just his fourth first grade game, caught a bomb from Roosters skipper Braith Anasta five metres from his own line.

Little more than 40 seconds later the 20-year-old former Parramatta back crossed the line following an incredible run which saw him zip down the left-hand touchline and then veer across field and score near the right-hand corner.

Gardner also landed seven goals from nine attempts for an 18-point haul.

It was just the Sharks' fourth victory in 12 starts and underlined the flakiness of the Roosters, who have not won successive games since the first two rounds.

The Roosters looked decidedly flat following the short turnaround after their win on the Gold Coast last Monday.

Sharks veterans Trent Barrett and Paul Gallen did their NSW Origin hopes no harm.

Gallen produced a typically busy performance and scored his first try of the season.

The feisty lock did show one flash of temperament early on when he shoved his Roosters counterpart Frank Paul Nuuausala in the face after the home team's No. 13 was penalised for holding onto him for too long.

Gardner's effort broke the spirit of the Roosters who briefly threatened to launch a second-half comeback after trailing 22-6 at the break.

A converted try to Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the 45th minute put the Roosters within 10 points, but Gardner's effort was followed by further tries to hooker John Morris and centre Taulima Tautai.

Fullback Todd Carney scored a try for the Roosters before Barrett wrapped up a handy all-round performance by scoring the Sharks' seventh try.

In the first half, second rower Grant Millington, Gallen and Siosaia Vave all crossed for Cronulla, with Phil Graham the only Rooster to do that.

Another Origin hopeful, Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce set up the Roosters' first two tries, but had mixed success with some of his kicking.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart called for Gallen, Barrett and prop Kade Snowden to be included in the NSW Origin team for the second game of the series.

Veteran Barrett, who said he was a couple of weeks away from deciding whether to play again next season, had his fingers crossed.

"If it is going to be my last year and I will decide after the Origin whether I'm in it or not, I'd like to finish as the NSW five-eighth, that would be a big thing for me," Barrett said.

Gallen was more circumspect about his chances.

"I just do my best every week, I'm not reading into it too much, all the media talk, I'll see what happens."

Roosters coach Brian Smith thought his side possibly could have been flat following their efforts on the Gold Coast, but prop Jason Ryles refused to use that as an excuse.

"Blaming the short turnaround and blaming preparation and all that is just crap, it's just our blokes and myself, we just didn't turn up," Ryles said.

Smith said he would be looking for some answers from his team on Monday as they try to break the win-loss cycle of erratic performances.

"We were sloppy and lazy and didn't take the chances that we did eventually create in the game," Smith said.

Stuart rated the Sharks' performance as their most complete of the season.

"We were a footy team tonight," Stuart said.

Asked about his try, Gardner said he had only been focusing on catching the ball.

"I wasn't running all that way and not scoring a try, so I just headed straight for that corner," Gardner said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP