Melbourne and Cronulla returned to their gritty best on Saturday night as the Storm ground out a 12-10 win at an empty Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Sharks led 4-2 at halftime and the game didn’t come alive until the final 20 minutes.
A converted Tui Kamikamica try next to the posts in the 71st minute levelled the scores at 10-all to set up a tense finish.
And with just four minutes on the clock, talented Sharks utility Billy Magoulias gave away a penalty and Cameron Smith calmly kicked between the sticks to remain unbeaten from two games this season.
Both teams had slotted two penalty goals before Magoulias broke the game open after a dogfight throughout the first 60 minutes.
Harking back to the traditional arm-wrestle battles between the two clubs, scores were locked at 4-4 when Sharks fullback Will Kennedy found some space around the ruck and made a break through the middle of the field.
Kennedy was brought down within a few metres of Storm’s line and in the next play, dummy half Blayke Brailey’s grubber kick found Magoulias next to the posts for the first try of the game.
It was also the first try the Storm had conceded this season after holding out Manly at Lottoland in round one.
It was an improved performance by the Sharks after a 40-16 flogging by Melbourne at AAMI Park last year in their first home game at their new digs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
There were concerns for Cronulla skipper Wade Graham late in the game, who went up the tunnel with what is believed to be a foot sprain.
The winless Sharks will next play Newcastle in round three, while the Storm host another unbeaten side in Penrith at AAMI Park.