The Sydney Roosters are 80 minutes away from their first NRL grand final in seven years and appear set to welcome back star half Sam Walker after overcoming Cronulla in a 46-10 semi-final win.

Trent Robinson’s men will play the Dolphins in a preliminary final after being made to work for victory against the Sharks at Allianz Stadium.

Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was placed on report for tripping Cronulla’s Teig Wilton on Saturday and, aside from the fitness of Walker, is likely to be the only question mark heading into next Friday’s meeting with the Dolphins.

Coach Trent Robinson embraces Hugo Savala, who is likely to make way for Sam Walker if he returns. Photo: AAP

Queensland No.7 Walker underwent ankle surgery less than a month ago but is tracking to return against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

“I’m pretty confident with with what I’ve seen. He’s had really good progression but we’ll get a good gauge on Monday or Tuesday,” said Robinson.

Just as everything fell into place for the Roosters, who also welcomed back Angus Crichton from a long injury lay-off on Saturday, just about everything fell apart for Cronulla.

Halfback Nicho Hynes failed a head injury assessment after copping a bang en route to Lindsay Collins’ second-minute opening try.

And then centre Mawene Hiroti went off with a knee injury after 20 minutes after crashing into the advertising hoardings.

It was little wonder the Roosters put a depleted Sharks outfit to the sword by piling on 24 points in the final half an hour.

“It (the scoreline) was the price of the first half,” said Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

“What possibly could have went wrong, went wrong and it was like (we played with) a hang on energy for the rest of the game.

“We know we’re a better side than that.”

Hynes’ exit forced Cronulla into a reshuffle with Braydon Trindall shifting to the right edge to accommodate the introduction of Niwhai Puru.

The two new Cronulla halves had barely drawn breath when the Roosters added a second as Daniel Tupou climbed above Sione Katoa to dot down and give the Roosters a 12-0 inside 10 minutes.

Daniel Tupou leaps and gathers before scoring for the Sydney Roosters against Cronulla. Photo: AAP

Trindall dragged Cronulla back into the game, slinging the ball to the right where Katoa finished in the corner in the 22nd minute before setting up Ronaldo Mulitalo for the Sharks’ second.

Cronulla only trailed by two after Trindall added the extras but Cherry-Evans poked his way over to give the Roosters a 18-10 halftime lead.

Cronulla had their chances to cut the deficit early in the second half but Trindall gifted the Roosters’ two seven-tackle sets and the pressure eventually tolled.

Connor Watson completes a wonder try for the Roosters. Photo: AAP

Cronulla had kept Mark Nawaqanitawase muzzled for most of Saturday’s final but the rugby-bound winger produced another moment of magic to pull the Roosters out of sight.

Nawaqanitawase had a behind-the-back offload that was handled by five separate Roosters players before Connor Watson put on some footwork and charged in to score.

“I thought the boys took a lot of right options and we’re holding our gloves up when the other team has got the ball,” Robinson said.

“It’s been probably five to six weeks since I’ve seen us flick the ball and pass the ball and that’s a signature of ours when we’re humming. That was a big play in the context of our game.”

Cronulla had to play catch-up early after the loss of Nicho Hynes and the Roosters’ fast start. Photo: AAP

Wilton had a try chalked off for a double movement after he was tripped by Cherry-Evans and Trindall dropped one with the line beckoning.

Those hammerblows knocked the wind out of Cronulla’s sails and from there it was a procession for the Roosters.

Nawaqanitawase grabbed a double as James Tedesco and Rob Toia also crossed in the final 20 minutes.

Five-eighth Hugo Savala, who appears the man likeliest to make way if Walker is fit, kicked seven of his eight conversion attempts.