It was a depressingly familiar tale and one often told since July last year. Whether it's an 11-game (combined seasons) or three-game losing streak (this season) is irrelevant. They are playing poorly and are in a rut of their own making.
Not a lot went their way. They lost winger Glen Fisiiahi before kickoff after the death of his sister, Sam Rapira was a late scratching through injury and Steve Rapira lasted barely three minutes before he retired after copping a knee to his head leaving the Warriors to see out the rest of the game with only three interchange players.
They were also facing a Sharks side highly motivated following the return of their coach Shane Flanagan as the drugs investigation engulfing the club took another twist.
But the Warriors were also their own worst enemies. They followed up terrific 40/20 kicks with errors, including one on the first tackle, and also handed possession back on the first tackle when collecting a goal line drop out and conceded penalties late in the tackle count.
It was a hot and humid day - and referees gave the players drinks breaks midway through each half - but the Warriors were sloppy and completed only 63 per cent of their sets. It meant they didn't build any pressure other than on themselves and Cronulla took advantage.
John Morris scored the first try in the ninth minute when he latched onto a short pass from Todd Carney scooting out of dummy half, Michael Gordon doubled the score in the 34th minute after the Warriors were split open up the middle and Beau Ryan snaffled a brilliant Carney chip to hand the Sharks an 18-0 halftime lead.
Carney was in total control and it's easy to see why the Warriors are keen to prise him away from the Sharks at the end of the season but Cronulla will presumably move quickly to make sure that doesn't happen.
Incredibly, it was the third-straight game the Warriors had failed to score a first-half point and for a side often labelled one of the most exciting in the competition it is a worrying trend.
They made only one linebreak and three offloads in 80 minutes and look too predictable. Their lack of fluency, especially from set pieces, is concerning and confidence is clearly an issue.
That might only return with a win but, with games against North Queensland and Souths over the next fortnight, it's difficult to see when that might be in this sort of form.
Sam Tagataese scored early in the second half from a sweeping move started in Cronulla's half and halfback Jeff Robson crossed for the fifth of the day when he weaved his way over close to the line.
Konrad Hurrell scored a consolation with five minutes remaining and 'celebrated' with a muted kiss for the camera. It's hard to feel the love for the Warriors at the moment.
Cronulla 28 (John Morris, Michael Gordon, Beau Ryan, Sam Tagataese, Jeff Robson tries, Gordon 4 gls) Warriors 4 (Konrad Hurrell try). HT: 18-0.
