The Cronulla Sharks proved that fairytales do indeed come
true as they overcame modern league’s most storied franchise, the Melbourne
Storm, to secure their first ever NRL premiership in their 49-year-history.
Having lost three previous grand finals, the Sharks were
determined to finally break their drought this time around. Led by
inspirational captain Paul Gallen, the Sydney side dominated the majority of
the game and survived a Melbourne fightback to secure a 14-12 victory in front
of capacity crowd at ANZ Stadium.
Cronulla proved that they were ready for the occasion right
from the kickoff, as they immediately applied the pressure on the Storm.
Tensions flared early after Melbourne winger Marika Koroibete made a dangerous
high tackle on Sharks halfback Chad Townsend. The resulting penalty saw
former-Warrior James Moloney give the home side the lead from the tee after
seven minutes.
The Sharks continued to press their opponents, and a
line-break by Moloney set-up teammate Luke Lewis for an almost certain try,
only for him to be pulled down inches from the line.
Cronulla remained focused, with a superb move from the back
of the scrum barely a minute later seeing fullback Ben Barba charge through for
the first try of the game on the fifteen minute mark.
Moloney successfully
converted to see the Sharks shoot out to an early 8-0 lead.
The Storm were struggling to discover their rhythm and found
themselves bunched in the middle of the park unable to break down the opposition.
They were not the only ones feeling the pressure of the occasion, as sideline
reporter Darren Lockyear was repeatedly probed for comments by the legendary
Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren.
The Sharks continued to dominate the game for the remainder
of the first half, and could have pulled away even further had it not been for
some staunch Melbourne defence.
The second half started much the same way as the first had
ended, as another Cronulla attack saw Melbourne stuck on their own goal line
for the opening minutes.
However, against the run of play, the Storm advanced down
the field and scored their first try of the final through Kiwi prop Jesse
Bromwich. Experienced skipper Cameron Smith kicked the conversion and suddenly
Melbourne found themselves right back in the contest.
It was a tale of two sides as Melbourne continued to soak up
wave after wave of pressure from the ever-probing Cronulla side.
But it was Melbourne who struck again in the 63rd
minute after a great set was capped off by a strong finish from centre Will
Chambers. Smith again converted to give the Storm an unlikely 12-8 lead.
The Sharks were staring down the barrel of defeat, but
remained composed and again pushed forward in numbers. A charging run by Sosaia
Feki could not be stopped this time by the tiring Storm defence, and after
Moloney converted once more, the Sharks were ahead 14-12 with twelve minutes
left to play.
It was a nerve-wracking final period for the home
supporters, as the Storm threatened to break their hearts twice in the closing stages,
and advanced nearly 100 metres in the final set.
But the Cronulla defence held on to secure the win, leaving
both players and supporters in tears. Having failed to perform on the big stage
in the past, the Sharks thoroughly deserved the victory this time around.
