A FOR and against differential of 33 points - that is what denied William Kennedy taking part in a second consecutive NRL finals campaign with his Cronulla Sharks.
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It was the Gold Coast Titans who nudged the Sharks out of the top eight as they beat the Warriors 44-0 on Sunday afternoon. It was a result which left Bathurst product Kennedy and his Cronulla team-mates bitterly disappointed.
The Sharks went into the final round sitting in eighth on the ladder, but it was a tenuous hold. They were only ahead of the Canberra Raiders on for and against while the Titans, who sat two competition points back, were also a threat.
While the Raiders lost to the Roosters on Thursday night, the following evening Kennedy and his team-mates were outdone 28-16 by Melbourne Storm.
It left Cronulla with an anxious wait - they needed Gold Coast to either lose Sunday's clash with the Warriors or win by less than 11 points to remain in eighth.
While under pressure the Titans were up to the challenge, posting the biggest win of their NRL history to leapfrog Cronulla and set up an elimination final meeting with the Roosters.
Though the Sharks were not at their best against Storm and were left to think what could have been, there were still some bright moments. Once again Kennedy's combination with winger Sione Katoa was one of them.
Kennedy's pass which set up Katoa's 39th minute try drew plenty of praise.
It was his 14th try assist of the season.
"That pass from William Kennedy was absolutely spot on," former Storm star Cooper Cronk said. "He has been their best player and such a find."
"What about that pass from Kennedy? How much has he improved as a player? The way he tips this ball on ... beautifully done," another former Australia representative turned commentator Steve Roach said of the play.
Improve is something Kennedy certainly did in 2021, a small consolation for missing out on finals football.
The 24-year-old scored 14 tries in 24 games this season, made 15 line breaks and averaged 146 running metres per match.
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