DES HASLER stayed quiet, but Paul Gallen squealed.

"They were awesome - they're the best team I've played this year," the Sharks captain said.

The message was clear. The Sea Eagles are the new benchmark. They blew the Sharks away with an opening 40 minutes in which they did not make one error.

Pounding Cronulla in the top-of-the-table clash proved beyond any reasonable doubt they are motoring towards premiership redemption.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is a war," screamed the ground announcer before kick-off. The kiddies were confused. If this was a war, why was there a big toy shark called MC Hammerhead running around? Wars have mascots and cheer girls?

A frenzied crowd of 18,217 piled in after a week of hate-inspired build-up, and when Sea Eagles' second-rower Anthony Watmough's first tackle knocked the living stuffing out of Kade Snowden, it was on.

If only more wars ended so soon. The Sea Eagles led 6-0 after five minutes; 12-0 after 13 minutes when Josh Perry - taking on Sharks prop Ben Ross for the first time since their early round collision sent Ross's teeth to the moon - powered over; and 22-0 after 23 minutes.

This was no war. It wasn't even a street fight. It was a tip-toe through the tulips in what was supposed to be the match of the week.

"It's a daunting place to come," Hasler said.

"Our opening 40 minutes, I think we completed 20 out of 20 sets. It was very disciplined, very sharp and very clinical. We've got Parramatta at Brookvale Oval next week and we would like to see all our fans turn out and really get behind this team.

"We want the doors closed and the joint full."

The Sharks were supposed to prove last night they are grand final contenders and not pretenders. Maybe their hopes are make-believe. Gallen had an enormous game but he was something of a one-man band. It was 22-6 at the break.

"Tense stuff, folks," said the ground announcer. Yes, mate. Tense stuff. Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley had some unhappy moments. It was not particularly tense stuff, folks.