Canberra are coming off one of the greatest finals games we’ve ever seen.

Twice on Sunday night they celebrated what looked like a phenomenal, rollercoaster win over the Broncos, and twice they had it taken off them. That type of emotional comedown is going to be tougher to overcome than the physical toll of a 94-minute contest.

This is where Ricky Stuart will do his best work as Raiders coach. The penalty call against Zac Hosking for clipping Reece Walsh’s legs that sent the game to extra-time? Fair enough, I can’t argue with that.

The knock-on decision against Jed Stuart that denied Canberra’s winning try? I have questions. None of it matters now, but it all adds up in terms of what the Raiders have to shake off to keep their premiership hopes on track.

On the paddock, Canberra’s right edge was where they were pulled to pieces around Jamal Fogarty and Matt Timoko.

That’s where Cronulla will attack, and it’s where they’re at their most dangerous. Braydon Trindall put on a clinic down the Sharks’ left edge against the Roosters last week, and Ronaldo Mulitalo finished with two tries that proved the difference.

For the Sharks, they’ve still got that flat-track bully tag despite knocking off the Chooks. The only way to shake it is to keep winning finals games.

I think Cronulla have an advantage in their back three of Will Kennedy, Mulitalo and Sione Katoa bringing the ball out of trouble, and I think they have the stronger bench, too.

The forward packs, for mine, almost cancel each other out, but there’s no doubt Canberra have more firepower and have been the better side all season.

So it comes down to the halfbacks – Jamal Fogarty and Nicho Hynes. Both have had their issues closing out games and performing under pressure at........

© The Sydney Morning Herald