Six Memorable Moments From The NRL Grand Final

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks finally broke their 50-year title drought in a pulsating Grand Final win over the Melbourne Storm in Sydney on Sunday night. Jamie Wall recaps.

Watch the NRL Grand Final: Full Game | Condensed

There will be some sore heads and hazy memories in Sutherland Shire this morning after the 14-12 win, but there’s one thing no Sharks fan will ever forget: the sight of the ultimate club man Paul Gallen lifting the Premiership trophy over his head to end 50 years of title despair.

It wasn’t the only moment worth remembering from a tense and physical title decider, though. Here are some of the best (or worst, depending how you look at it) moments:

1. The pre-match entertainment
Just what sort of voodoo curse the NRL used to resurrect the corpse of Richie Sambora will most likely remain a mystery, but let’s look on the bright side. By only shelling out for a Bon Jovi tribute act instead of the real thing, the NRL probably saved a lot of money that can be put into continuing to prop up the Gold Coast Titans. Also, at least Keith Urban looked in good shape and Jessica Mauboy got to do more than just sing the national anthem this year.

2. This pre-game dab

https://twitter.com/MakaMakatoa6/status/782486108886011904

Not sure what this young bloke’s name is, but he definitely livened up the pre-show retirement ceremony with a textbook dab. Despite carrying a large banner honouring retiring Bulldogs legend Sam Perrett, the teen executed the move to perfection. However, it must be noted that the dab is very much last year’s move. Originator Cam Newton now prefers a new celebration dance in 2016.

3. The Sharks’ good old-fashioned scrum move
Ben Barba’s opening try had older fans all misty-eyed at its simplicity and cunning. It paid homage to the good old days of punch ups, wild hair and when scrums actually meant something other than a short rest. Storm fans should be spewing – they’ve used similar moves to great success over the years. Getting bitten by your own sneaky play has got to hurt.

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4. When Koroibete got put on report in his last game of league
Referee Ben Cummins made a great call that even the most ardent Storm fan couldn’t argue with when Marika Koroibete tried to take Chad Townsend’s head off. The resulting penalty proved to be the difference between the two teams at fulltime, and Cummins also put Koroibete on report. Only one problem with that: the winger probably couldn’t care less what the NRL judiciary makes of the tackle as the next game he’ll be playing will be a different sport when he turns out for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.

5. The matchwinner
It’s fitting that a literal colossus of the game, Andrew Fifita, got to have the last say in the Grand Final. The New South Wales, Kangaroo and 141-game NRL veteran is the perfect star to be emblazoned on highlight reels in the years to come. Unless, of course, you’re a part of the NRL Integrity Unit or NSW Police, who are probably still very concerned about Fifita’s links to a convicted killer.

6. Paul Gallen’s post-match interview
A dead set classic. Enjoy.