Cronulla Sharks win NRL grand final, beat Melbourne Storm 14-12
THE Cronulla Sharks have beaten the Melbourne Storm 14-12 to win the NRL grand final and claim their maiden premiership.
THIS was history 18,081 days in the making.
Cronulla-Sutherland, the game’s enduring failures, are finally rugby league premiers. The porch light can now finally be turned off.
After 80 minutes of exhilarating grand final football at ANZ Stadium last night, Cronulla scored a thrilling 14-12 win over Melbourne Storm in front of 83,625 screaming fans.
Captain Paul Gallen could barely speak.
“To do this, it’s just awesome,” Gallen said.
“To our fans, you’ve waited 50 years for this. To all those people in the Shire, turn the porch lights off because we’re coming home with the trophy.”
Sharks five-eighth James Maloney added: “They’ll be going nuts in the Shire.”
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It was April 2, 1967, when Cronulla played their first game, an 11-5 win over Eastern Suburbs at the old Sydney Sports ground.
The 1979 Amco Cup, Cronulla’s only senior grade competition win, now has company in the trophy cabinet.
Victory was a triumph for Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, who was suspended by the NRL for 12 months during the peptides drama two years ago, and Gallen, who has bled for his club over 16 years.
“The club’s first premiership, it’s an amazing feeling. We did it for all the ex-players,” Flanagan said.
“That last set (from Melbourne), I nearly went through the glass in the coaches’ box. Someone make a tackle.”
Sharks hooker Michael Ennis joined the elite band of players to have won a grand final in his final game.
Ben Barba and James Maloney were strong, while Luke Lewis was named Clive Churchill Medallist for best on ground.
“I’m lost for words,” Lewis said.
“To the Cronulla supporters, I love youse all.”
Match-winner Andrew Fifita could feel aggrieved after missing out on man of the match despite a dominant performance.
The group could all on Monday be named in the Kangaroos squad for the Four Nations tour.
But the miracle almost didn’t happen.
Trailing 12-8 and seemingly headed for heartbreak, bad boy Fifita scored the match-winning try with 11 minutes to go after he somehow powered through five Melbourne defenders to plant the ball down under the posts.
Maloney converted Fifita’s try to give his side a 14-12 lead, which they clung to over the final 10 gripping minutes.
“I’m lost for words, to score the winning try, I’m stoked,” Fifita said.
“It’s been a tough month but this feels better than anything.”
Sharks star Wade Graham added: “Nothing is better than this, nothing. After 50 years, we’re taking it home.”
Cronulla dominated the first half, while Melbourne overpowered them in the second amid a mounting injury toll for the Sharks.
Sharks centre Jack Bird came to the sideline midway through the second half after hyperextending his right elbow.
He had the arm strapped and returned, although he was hindered.
“Words can’t describe it. I want to cry but I can’t,” Bird said.
The atmosphere before kick-off was electrifying. In fact, the roar for Cronulla was as loud, if not louder, than that afforded the NSW Origin side when they hit ANZ Stadium.
CRONULLA 14 (B Barba A Fifita tries J Maloney 3 goals) bt MELBOURNE 12 (J Bromwich W Chambers tries C Smith 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 83,625.
HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED
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Originally published as Cronulla Sharks win NRL grand final, beat Melbourne Storm 14-12