Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart accused Manly of multiple cheap shots and claimed the "stupid" send-off of prop Luke Douglas for a high tackle had changed the rules of rugby league heading into the NRL finals.

Stuart stopped short of claiming rookie referee Phil Haines had cost his side victory after Manly centre Ben Farrar scored in the last 90 seconds to snatch an 18-16 win at Brookvale Oval on Sunday and secure the Sea Eagles' position in the NRL finals.

The Sharks played gallantly with 12 men after Douglas was sent off in the 27th minute for a high tackle that landed flush on Chris Bailey's chin and left the second-rower unconscious and unable to play the rest of the game.

Stuart was livid at the decision, labelling it the moment the rules of the game were changed forever.

"From that moment that referee made that decision, he has changed everything now leading into the grand final and that's a real shame," said Stuart.

"That just changed the rules. A bloke has got to be sent off if a man goes down by getting hit around the head.

"That was not pre-empted, he did not swing his arm.

"Luke Douglas is not a dirty player."

Stuart was particularly irritated that a late shot by Anthony Watmough that broke Corey Hughes's ribs in the 15th minute went unpunished, along with an elbow that dazed Anthony Tupou earlier in the game.

"There's two refs out there but the two linesmen and two referees didn't see the cheap shot on Corey Hughes off the football that broke his rib," said Stuart.

"No one saw the cheap elbow that knocked Anthony Tupou out in the first 10 minutes, playing dazed for the next 15.

"No, but we get a bloke sent off."

Sharks skipper Luke Covell was equally furious, claiming on ABC radio that Cronulla's lowly place on the NRL table contributed to their lack of luck with the referees.

Victory would have guaranteed they avoided the wooden spoon, but they remain 15th and locked in a battle with the Sydney Roosters for the unwanted 'prize'.

"It happens every week, crap decisions every week," said Covell.

"The boys are sick of it, just because we are bottom of the table. They (the players) do their best and to keep getting treated like that is a disgrace.

"We have had blokes knocked out, elbowed and we never got a call all day - it was an absolute joke."

Stuart was also incensed that Watmough's play-the-ball prior to the match-winning try was illegal, and said the courage of Sharks back Mitch Brown to get up and play the ball after a high tackle late in the game instead of milking a penalty cost his side.

"I was praying that he laid down so we get a penalty," said Stuart.

"If (Brown) lays down we would have got a penalty because he was accidentally hit high and we win the game because of it."

Manly coach Des Hasler was disappointed with his side's performance, the only positive being the trouble-free return from 18 weeks out with a knee injury of fullback Brett Stewart, who had a hand in both of Michael Robertson's tries.

While Bailey should be fit to play next week, prop Jason King is in doubt with a rib injury sustained in just the seventh minute.

The Sea Eagles had their share of luck and Hasler was unsure whether they deserved the two crucial competition points that lifted them to fifth and within reach of a top four finish.

"That's a pretty difficult question," he said. "We needed the win and we got the win.

"We took the opportunity that we had to in the second half and walked away with the win."

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