NRL 2024: Cronulla Sharks legends Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen recreate 2016 grand final moment

The ‘50-years of tears’ moment between Cronulla legends Andrew Ettingshausen and Paul Gallen has been immortalised on the walls of PointsBet Stadium. Watch the former Sharks remember the emotional moment.

Andrew Ettingshausen remembers running onto Accor Stadium moments after the full-time siren sounded in the 2016 grand final and seeing former Sharks captain Paul Gallen in the distance.

“I turned around and looked down the end of the field and there was ‘Gal,’ the Cronulla legend said.

“He turned around at the same moment and we looked at each other.

“I won’t say it was one of those romantic run and hug moments like the movies, but we definitely blocked out everything that was happening around us and we came together and I grabbed hold of Gal. The emotion was enormous. We’d done it.”

The iconic embrace is part of both Australian sport, rugby league Cronulla Sharks folklore.

NRL photographer Grant Trouville’s perfect capture of the two Sharks legends’ tearful embrace moments after Cronulla had secured their first title, went on to win a Walkley Award for photo of the year.

Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen at the unveiling of a new Sharks mural at Shark Park of the club greats after winning the club’s first premiership in 2016. Picture: Jonathan Ng

So revered is the “50-years of tears” moment in the eyes of all Sharks fans, that the image has been recreated on the walls of Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium in time for their Easter Sunday clash with the Raiders.

Generously paid for by Shore Hire, a Sharks major sponsor, the huge lifelike mural was unveiled on Thursday to a backdrop of tooting horns and cheers, from the proud and loyal Sutherland Shire community.

Gallen smiled as he stared up at the memorable image.

All smiles for Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Other than having kids, it’s probably the greatest moment of my life and something I’ll never forget,’’ Gallen said.

“It’s a pinch yourself moment. Even more so when you consider I signed with the Sharks in 1999 because of players like ET (Ettingshausen).”

Current Sharks co-captain Cameron McInnes said seeing the mural every day that he arrives at PointsBet Stadium would inspire his teammates to achieve their own moment in history.

“Seeing that (mural) is our motivation,‘’ McInnes said.

“Gal has earned that, he worked his career for that moment. But also, what that did for the community, I still here guys talk about how the area got around the team, that’s what I want.

“I’d love to be able to do that again for the Shire.”