Chad Townsend has kicked a golden point field goal to snap Cronulla's losing streak as they survived two stints down to 12-men in the second half to beat St George Illawarra 13-12.
In a dramatic night at Kogarah, three men were sin-binned and eight players placed on report as the NRL's crackdown on foul play continued.
Cronulla winger Mawene Hiroti also went from the Sharks' villain to the club's hero to help them claim their first win since John Morris was sacked as coach.
After the Sharks dominated the first half but could only score one try through Connor Tracey, the game swung when Hiroti hit Cody Ramsey high right on fulltime.
Ramsey was ruled out of the match after failing his HIA, while Hiroti was sent to the sin-bin after chasing down the Dragons fullback but collecting him around the head.
The incident allowed the Dragons to level the scores just after the break, before Max Feagai scored a second to have them four them points up with Josh Dugan also in the bin for a high shot.
But that was only the start of the drama.
Cronulla looked to have the match won when Matt Moylan put Will Kennedy over while still down to 12 men, with the Sharks again dominating the ball.
However a Teig Wilton crusher tackle on Paul Vaughan allowed the Dragons to level the scores at 12-12.
And after both sides failed at field goal attempts, Hiroti was again in the thick of the action.
With 45 seconds to play the Sharks winger dropped a pass from a 20-metre tap, handing the Dragons the perfect chance to win the game.
Corey Norman again missed a drop goal, sending the game to golden point.
Then, at long last, it was Hiroti's chance to be the hero.
The 22-year-old burst downfield from inside his own 20-metre zone on the fourth tackle, putting Cronulla on the attack.
And while Townsend had a field goal charged down for a second time, he finally landed it on the third attempt to stop the Sharks losing streak at six.
Cronulla could still count the costs on Saturday, with Blayke Brailey (crusher tackle) and Briton Nikora (high tackle) also on report.
Meanwhile Paul Vaughan's sin-binning was arguably the most controversial of the night.
With the Dragons on the back foot in the second half, Vaughan was stunned when marched by referee Ben Cummins for taking Will Chambers high.
Chambers had been cut in half by an Andrew McCullough tackle and was falling, but the contact was still direct with the chin.
The loss leaves the Saints susceptible to the chasing pack, after going into the round in sixth and two points clear of those behind them.
