The Cronulla Sharks have claimed the 2016 NRL Premiership, defeating the Melbourne Storm by two points on Sunday night.
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
» Ten best tweets from the match
» Sharks player ratings
» Storm player ratings
» Match report: Sharks’ wait over
Final score
Melbourne Storm 12
Cronulla Sharks 14
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the NRL grand final from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Minor premiers the Melbourne Storm look to do the double and take out the Provan-Summons trophy against the Cronulla Sharks, who are trying to overcome the biggest drought in premiership history.
The Storm haven’t been to the grand final since 2012, but that doesn’t stop the experience and talent on display in the side.
Cronulla, meanwhile, haven’t been to a grand final since the Super League war, and before that you have to go all the way back to 1978.
Melbourne’s form leading into the finals was a little bit shaky, but they got back into form during the last round of the season against the Sharks to win the minor premiership and simply haven’t looked back.
In the first week of the finals, they controlled the game brilliantly against the Cowboys for a six-point win, before returning from a week off to beat the Canberra Raiders by two points in a very physical, but excellent, performance.
The Sharks also entered the finals on the back of some form that was less than certain, and that was only exacerbated when they lost to the Storm in Round 26.
However, after a less than ideal start against the Raiders in the first week of the finals, they bounced back to win a thriller by two, before thumping a tired North Queensland Cowboys side last week.
The key battle of this match is certainly between the forward packs, and how they can give field position to creative players – namely Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Michael Ennis and James Maloney.
Whichever forward pack gives those guys more time to perfect their craft will have a much better chance at putting up the necessary points to win.
The Storm are the king of wrestle and physical play though, meaning the Sharks backs, particularly Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird, must get involved through the middle of the field.
In team news, there isn’t much to report. Melbourne have gone with a nine-man bench, adding Felise Kafusi, Matt White, Ryan Morgan, Slade Griffin and Young Tonumaipea, while the Sharks have six, adding Sam Tagatese and Joseph Paulo to the pine.
The history between the sides makes for grim reading for Sharks fans, as they have only been able to win ten of the 31 matches, and only one of the last four, with all losses being blowouts. The clubs, however, have never met in finals.
Prediction
The Storm are just too clinical. There won’t be much in it, but Melbourne to win the premiership.
Storm by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the NRL grand final from 7:15pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Renegade
Roar Guru
Doogs, Can't talk about the neutrals but you'd be hard pressed to find a whinge from Sharks fans ... Absolutely nothing negative out of last night. Great night for the Sharks and a great grand final for the sport!
Doogs
Guest
Yes. It was frustrating. I put my head in my hands over that one
Doogs
Guest
That is alright Renegade. I don't mind. Congrats to the Sharks fans. I thought it might make them happy. I look at a few articles here and there is still whinging. I realise it does not make a difference if your team wins or loses, you will always have a gripe. It's a shame because I thought it might have cheered Sharks supporters up
Spongebob
Guest
Must be tough supporting teams in blue where the time between wins is measured in decades ;)
JVGO
Guest
Alex L, Thr L clearly stands for loser.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Alex, Zero credibility after tonight.... tears seen bitter.
Renegade
Roar Guru
All I want is your tears bronco fan.... it tastes so sweet!
Art Vandelay
Guest
As long as there were no junior referees Fifita may have been able to give an acceptable mom speech
JoM
Guest
And have to say there are plenty who ask what Gallen has ever won. Well, he has won a premiership at his first try. Pretty awesome I think.
JoM
Guest
Sharkies are my second team. They are not at all unlikable.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Bitter much, Alex?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
I've had a few beers mate.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks Zedman, Been a big year that's for sure! Excellent season, and an excellent finale. And yep absolutely, not sure 2017 is going to be our year though!
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Well done Scotty you have had a great year, now to get these Dragons up to pace next year.lol.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
You drinking warm beer mate?, that was a great game played by two tremendous sides. Cheers to them.
Doogs
Guest
oh dear. what a comment
Scott Pryde
Expert
READ THE FULL MATCH REPORT Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 NRL grand final as the Cronulla Sharks won the premiership by just two points in a thrilling encounter over the Melbourne Storm. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Well, that is the end of the season, so I have to give a few thankyous as I close the coverage. Firstly, and the biggest thankyou here has to go to the rest of the blogging team and video editors who produce the wonderful highlights you see on site each weekend! You guys do a fantastic job all year to make sure we can cover every game live here on The Roar, and it is an honour and privilege to be able to bring the grand final to you on behalf of them. Special thanks to Riley Pettigrew for giving me a break today and covering the State Challenge. Secondly, I want to thank the audience - you all make it a fun job to do, with banter and comments. Last but not least, thanks to our awesome editorial team - Patrick Effeney, Ryman White and Josh Elliott for ensuring our blogs go up on time, everything reads well and our coverage is top notch. We will back better than ever in 2017, but if you can't wait that long for sport then be sure to check out our coverage of cricket, basketball, football and whatever else might pop up. NBL and A-League both start next weekend, and I'll also be live with the Bathurst 1000 next Sunday. For now though, the celebration has begun in the Shire. The light is out and the drought is over. Thankyou and enjoy the rest of your evening.
Spongebob
Guest
Not sure such an unlikable team has ever won. Arrest warrants all round at the after party.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Cronulla Sharks lift the Provan-Summons trophy!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Probably gave it to him on the grounds he's the only Sharks player they could find with a positive value as a human being.