Ronaldo Mulitalo scored two tries when the Sharks knocked the Roosters out of the 2025 finals. Picture by Mark Kolbe/AAP Photos

Craig Fitzgibbon says fiery Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase respect each other despite their on-field hostility.

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Mulitalo rates his opposite number "a helluva player", the Sharks coach said after their 27-8 loss on Sunday night.

"They're in a contest, mate, they're going after each other," he said.

"Sometimes, Ronny's an emotional guy and it spills over, but it doesn't mean he doesn't respect his opponent, but he came out the wrong end tonight.

"What he will say after the game is 'you got me'."

Fitzgibbon said, "We get humbled from time to time, but Ronny will back himself next time".

The coach scores the battle between them as 2-1 in favour of Nawaqanitawase.

Brailey was on-song for NSW in their win in Origin I. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

In their previous clash, Mulitalo came out on top when the Sharks knocked the Roosters out of the 2025 finals with a 20-10 sudden-death win.

Fitzgibbon said of Sunday night's loss he thought the attitude and effort were there, but a few of the players were "a few per cent off".

"We were a little bit flat after last week," he said.

"The simple things add up...and we ended up chasing our tails, giving away penalties and errors and field position.

"I thought [the Roosters] did a good job controlling the field for most of the night.

"When we got our chances, they were minimal and there were not enough of them."

Fitzgibbon said the Sharks lost the physical battle and didn't deserve the win.

As for discipline, "if you're going to give away back field penalties you are going to pay the price".

Among the costly penalties was a forearm to the head by Mulitalo in a tackle on Nawaqanitawase.

Fitzgibbon thought Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall "were alright", but weren't given a platform on which to shine.

Co-captain Blayke Brailey said he "pulled up fine" after returning quickly from a broken arm.

"Our physios and medical staff did an outstanding job to get me playing today and I came through unscathed," he said.

Brailey revealed the night after he broke his arm, he wrote the game against the Roosters on the back of his door.

"Every time I would get home or leave, I would look at that - there was a motivating factor there," he said.

"Watching the boys going about their business and playing so strong for the Sharks really inspired me to get back earlier, and I am thankful to the medical staff."

He dismissed talk of being recalled for Origin 3, saying his focus was on the Sharks, who have a bye this weekend.