Cronulla fans take to the streets to celebrate Sharks’ historic Grand Final win over Melbourne Storm
THEY danced in the street, in bars, cars and even streaked through traffic. Cronulla was a sea of people painted blue, black and white as the Shire celebrated the Sharks’ grand final win into the early hours with the players themselves emerging a little worse for wear this morning.
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THEY danced in the street, on cars and even streaked through traffic.
Nothing could detract from the sheer naked joy of Shark’s fans celebrating their historic Grand Final win against the Storm.
On Sunday night and through the early morning, exuberant Cronulla fans knew nothing could take their once in fifty year Premiership away from them.
And Cronulla from midnight through to the wee small hours, was a sea of people painted blue, black and white determined to celebrate their historic first grand final win.
Some of their heroes emerged this morning looking a little worse for wear as they talked through the events of the previous evening.
Earlier, cars lined the streets beeping their horns in celebration, as the lyrics of “Up Up Cronulla” could be heard coming from homes across the Shire
Balconies became makeshift DJ decks as fans were determined to celebrate their win.
People wearing black, white and blue balloons were banked up along Elouera Road as they enjoyed a night they would not be forgetting anytime soon.
Blake Townsend, brother of Cronulla player Chad, had given his car a black white and blue paint job and added a shark fin to support the team.
Along with others, he was dancing on the roof of the parked car.
A few thousand die hard fans gathered at the spiritual home of the team, Shark Park.
Young and old congregated at the oval, eagerly waiting to see the hometown heroes with the Premiership trophy.
At about 1.50am on Monday morning, the victorious team emerged on the grandstand to the rapture of fans below.
They were riding high as they looked over to the sea of thousands of fans from who had gathered at the stadium.
Captain Paul Gallen said it was the passion and dedication of the fans had made such a huge difference, to the applause of the crowd.
“To win this grand final it is going to take more than talent, it is going to take desire and more want.
“I think that was the difference tonight, we just wanted it a little bit more than them, and that’s on the back of you guys, the support we saw today was unreal,” he said.
Clive Churchill medal winner Luke Lewis also thanked the fans for their support.
“Today was amazing but it was the whole week. If it weren’t for you guys we wouldn’t realise how special grand final week is, so thank you.”
The team then went to the clubhouse of the Sharkies Leagues Club at the oval.
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