Grit isn't a word normally associated with the slick attacking machine which is the Canberra Raiders.
But after out-playing Cronulla at their own tough and unyielding game, the Raiders' premiership credentials now have credibility.
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Canberra end Cronulla's unbeaten run
Cronulla are denied two contentious tries as Canberra make it six wins in a row. But the Raiders were dealt a blow with Blake Austin finishing with a shoulder injury.
Their statement 30-14 win over a tired Cronulla at Shark Park on Saturday could come at a huge cost with star five-eighth Blake Austin suffering a shoulder injury during a solo second-half try.
With his side leading 22-14, Austin used his left-foot sidestep to scythe through Cronulla's defence and score, but hurt the rotator cuff in his left shoulder.
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It was the only sour note in a night where the Raiders proved they're legitimate after their best defensive display of the year locked up a sixth-straight win and third spot on the ladder.
Austin had off-season surgery on the same shoulder but insisted afterwards it is nowhere near as serious.
"I don't think it feels too serious, hopefully it's the kind of thing I can manage for the rest of the season," Austin said.
"It's definitely not [as bad as injury which needed surgery]. I was a little bit worried, it was a bit painful and it didn't feel like I was right to stay out there.
"I'll be doing everything I can to get on the paddock next week, I don't want to miss."
Canberra's players insist they don't read into the hype, but that is becoming a tougher task with every week after ending top-of-the-table Cronulla's 16-game unbeaten run.
Next up is Melbourne at home next Monday night, and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart anointed Storm the "benchmark" of the NRL after the match.
The victory had eerie comparisons to Canberra's 22-8 ambush of Canterbury at Belmore in round five, when Canberra out-enthused their opposition with defensive intensity.
Cronulla badly missed hooker Michael Ennis, a late withdrawal through illness, and Canberra's classy hooker Josh Hodgson was exceptional.
The Englishman ran for over 100 metres and laid on two tries in the first half, including setting up one of Jordan Rapana's two four pointers with a composed grubber after making a break on halfway.
"He's a fabulous player, he got in behind their defence a couple of times when they were rushing up and created some good opportunities for us," Stuart said.
Canberra have scored more points than any other side in the league this year but their defence has always been the question mark. The past five to six weeks, they've taken inroads in putting that perception of fragility to bed.
Still a young side, particularly in the forwards, they have shown they can win against quality sides at imposing venues in a strong sign before finals.
"It was a tough game of footy, defensively I thought we were very good tonight," Stuart said.
"We've learned through really tough losses, and we have to learn by winning these types of footy games. It's about these young guys getting an education in big environments, and that's going to be very important going into the back end of the season.
"Any type of big moment like that is going to be really important for us the next two or three years. The more pressure the players are being put under in big games, is going to be great for their education.
"Let's also understand they [Sharks] had a five-day turnaround and no Ennis, we're not getting excited and carried away with it."
The Raiders are the only side in the league who haven't made a preliminary final since their third and last premiership in 1994.
Full of momentum in preparing for a first finals campaign since 2012, this looms as their best chance yet to snap the drought.
Cronulla were also backing up from a five-day turnaround after a tough 18-all golden point stalemate on the Gold Coast, but the Raiders defence was too stoic and attack too slick.
In the first 20 minutes especially their on-line defence repelled the Sharks and restricted them to an 8-6 lead despite being starved of ball.
Full of confidence as a result, the Raiders went on with the job to ensure they stay in the top four for at least another week.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan expressed his frustration that Austin's try was awarded after it was checked for a double movement, but said it didn't impact the game.
"It wasn't our best performance but the opposition were pretty good," Flanagan said.
"I thought we tried really hard but we didn't play smart, it's the loss everyone wanted us to have before the semi-finals maybe.
"We can turn it around real quickly, you don't win 16 in a row and lead the competition for most of the year if you're not a good footy team. We'll give credit to the opposition and move on."
CANBERRA RAIDERS 30 (Jordan Rapana 2, Jack Wighton, Blake Austin tries; Jarrod Croker 7 goals)
CRONULLA SHARKS 14 (James Maloney, Paul Gallen tries; Maloney 3 goals)
at Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla on Saturday night
Referees: Ashley Klein and Adam Gee. Crowd: 15,133