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.
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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
PENALTY
Bit of a fiery start that saw Ennis collect McLean high. Storm complete the following set by putting it over the sideline with composure in the Sharks half.
PENALTY
Another penalty for the Sharks as Koroibete takes Townsend high. And players have run in from everywhere to push and shove. Maloney is opting for the two points to get the Sharks on the board and he nails it. 2-0 to the Sharks.
GENERAL PLAY
This is really physical stuff from both sides. They're just trying to get through their sets but the hits are bone-rattling. Storm looking most dangerous down their left edge.
TRY
Maloney with a great line break. He gets the ball to Luke Lewis who slides agonisingly short of the try line. he'll be cursing the groundsmen for not shaving an extra millimetre from the lawn. But it doesn't matter because Barba crosses to score. Maloney converts so 8-0 to the Sharks.
INJURY
Jack Bird in all sorts of trouble on the sideline with an arm injury. Looks like an elbow hyperextension.
GENERAL PLAY
Sharks lucky not to concede a try there. All they did concede is a line drop-out. Will Storm make them pay? The answer is no. It's scrambling defence from the Sharks but they get the ball back.
GENERAL PLAY
We have a goal line drop-out from the Storm after the Sharks almost finished the set with a try. Both sides knocked on following the crossfield kick but it's the Storm that lose out there. The Sharks run the ensuing set back hard and it ends in a Cameron Smith knock-on.
HALFTIME
The Sharks take a lead into the break and you still have the feeling they are all over the Storm. The Sharks have controlled possession and made the Storm complete a mountain of defence.
GENERAL PLAY/PEN.
Sharks just picking up where they left off, forcing a line drop-out from the Storm. The end of the following set is diffused by Munster who shows great hands to pick up a grubber. Storm then get a penalty for staying in a tackle to get out of trouble.
PENALTY
Sharks win a penalty after the Storm were deemed to have lifted Feki into a dangerous position. A scuffle follows as Sharks players take offence to tackle.
TRY
Jesse Bromwich has crashed over to score a try against the run of play and Storm are back in it. Cam Smith knocks over the extras to make it 8-6 in favour of the Sharks.
INJURY
Injuries for the Sharks everywhere as the Storm start to claw their way back. Bukuya has gone down injured after copping a knee to the head. They've stopped play to have him assessed.
TRY
Storm take the lead with a cracking try to Will Chambers, again against the run of play. The Sharks have all the ball and create all the pressure but it's Melbourne getting the points. Smith nails the conversion and it's 12-10 to the Storm now.
PENALTY
Penalty to the Sharks for a Storm player lying in the ruck. Sharks are on the attack now but can they recapture the lead? That penalty is followed by another after Townsend is taken high on the fifth tackle in the Storm 20m zone.
TRY
Fifita has done nothing short of MUSCLE his way over the try line under the posts to tie things up. Maloney hits the conversion from right in front to reclaim the lead for the Sharks. It's 14-12.
GENERAL PLAY
Maloney kicks out on the full on the fifth tackle so Storm get it back on the halfway line. And the Sharks absolutely stuff the end of the Storm's set and have to take a line drop-out. Very lucky not to concede a try.
GENERAL PLAY
That set from the Storm was nothing short of bizarre. Chambers grubbers forward for himself and collects the ball before neglecting to pass to an unmarked Cronk. The rest of the set sees the ball thrown around haphazardly before being put dead to give the Sharks a seven-tackle set. Storm could have won the game right there if Chambers had seen Cronk.
FULLTIME
The Storm, in the final set of the match, make about six breaks before finally being put down to end the match. SHARKS ARE PREMIERS.
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Originally published as Cronulla Sharks win NRL grand final, beat Melbourne Storm 14-12
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