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Social media can be a cruel place, but on big sporting days it often produces gold. The NRL grand final was no different.
For the second straight year we were treated to an absolute bell-ringer of a contest between two sides going at it for 80 minutes.
All the wash-up from the NRL grand final:
» LORD: Gallen leads Sharks into history books
» PRICHARD: 13 extra seconds, but the Sharks did it
» Five talking points
» Sharks player ratings
» Storm player ratings
» Match report: Sharks’ wait over
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Cronulla continued the 2016 theme of the sporting underdog by winning their first ever premiership.
In the twittersphere, predictably a fair few had a crack at the famous Jack Gibson quote who said ‘Waiting for Cronulla to win a premiership is like leaving the porch lamp on for Harold Holt.’
#BREAKING: the porch light is off. Harold Holt is home #NRLGF
— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) October 2, 2016
Time to party like it’s 1967!!!!!!!!#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/n9K0bRWQlR
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) October 2, 2016
There were those who perpetuated the shire/rugby league stereotype.
83,000 in the crowd and 190,000 Southern Cross tattoos. #NRLGF
— Mike Goldman (@mikegoldmanlive) October 2, 2016
There's going to be a lot of people waking up with unfortunate Southern across tattoos tomorrow morning. #NRLGF
— Lauren (@ohmyloz) October 2, 2016
While this gif summed up the feelings of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Penalty on the last tackle… #NRLGF https://t.co/haeysC2kye
— Ladbrokes.com.au (@ladbrokescomau) October 2, 2016
The pre-match entertainment and general Channel Nine coverage copped it.
First time I’ve heard a pub full of blokes applaud a commercial break.#NRLGF
— Former Legend (@Former_legend) October 2, 2016
There were also some brilliant cross-code references to the AFL.
Bloody Cronulla. I bet they don’t even get Bob Murphy to lift up the trophy. #NRLGF
— Titus O’Reily (@TitusOReily) October 2, 2016
Earlier, things didn’t go according to plan in the pre-game build up with retiring Tigers player Dene Halatau’s name spelt incorrectly.
And how hard is it to spell a guy's name right? DENE Halatau #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/9shBUpFgdI
— Catherine Botman (@cat_botman) October 2, 2016
It wasn’t all tongue-in-cheek and taking the piss tweets that had social media love. The classy post-game interview with losing Melbourne Storm captain was appreciated by many.
It's easy to be glorious in victory, however it takes courage to be humble in defeat. Take a bow Cam Smith. #NRLGF
— Hugh Bowman (@HugeBowman) October 2, 2016
Finally, the hyperbole of Sharks fans seemed a bit much for those neutrals in the crowd at ANZ Stadium.
Bloke just yelled "I've been waiting 50 years for this.
Guy is mid 20's at most.
Good one m8#NRLGF
— Josh Howe (@JoshO567) October 2, 2016