In the world of sport, winning fixes everything.

And that is certainly proving true – at least for now – for a Cronulla outfit who looked set to crumble under the pressure of an ASADA investigation that was ripping them from every angle.

The investigation has slowed in recent weeks following stand-in captain Wade Graham’s aborted interview with ASADA officials.

Since that day, the Sharks have won three consecutive matches, including a tense 30-20 victory over Canberra on Sunday afternoon.

“Ever since the (Wade Graham interview) we just put it all aside and we’ve just brushed it completely,” prop Andrew Fifita said.

“And it’s been good for us. Ever since then we’ve been winning.

“At the start of the year we knew we had a fair team here and could go along way in this comp and I really think we can.”

The win, which was piloted by NSW Origin hopefuls Fifita and Todd Carney, lifts the Sharks into the top eight for the first time since round five.

It was another match in which the Sharks had to show character to hold on for victory, weathering a strong Raiders’ comeback which was sparked by a double to utility Anthony Milford.

In fact the two points weren’t secure until Fifita crashed over for a 70th minute try – sending the crowd of 12,130 into raptures.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan gave up on talking about the ASADA investigation weeks ago, choosing to focus all his energies on his own team.

That mindset didn’t change after the Sharks’ third-straight victory, but his demeanour certainly has.

“Winning footy games is really important,” he said.

“It makes it easy to go to work on the Monday.

“No matter what, winning solves a lot of those problems.

“…That’s where we rate ourselves as, a top eight team. We’re in there now but it’s early days still.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we continue on this way and our footy is back to being our priority.”

The Raiders were beaten physically in the forwards by a Cronulla pack missing Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.

And the visitors suffered further setbacks through first half injuries to Josh McCrone (side strain) and Shaun Fensom (eye), neither of whom returned.

That, in addition to a controversial opening try to Sharks centre Jonathan Wright, meant the home side were always in control of the match.

Wright charged through an enormous hole, seemingly created when teammate Wade Graham crashed into Canberra halfback Josh McCrone.

But video referees Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten awarded the try, which was converted by Michael Gordon for a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.

Raiders coach David Furner had no qualms with the Wright try, but was miffed at a decision to call a forward pass late in the game with his side’s comeback in full swing.

“It was a big call … But we probably haven’t been getting those,” Furner said.

Flanagan questioned three disallowed tries to his own side, including a spectacular effort to debutant Tyrone Peachey.