The half century drought has been broken and the porch light can be turned off, because the Cronulla Sharks have managed to hold off the Melbourne Storm by just two points in the 2016 NRL grand final.
Here are The Roar‘s player ratings for the premiers.
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
» Storm player ratings
» Match report: Sharks’ wait over
» Re-live the match with our live blog
1. Ben Barba – 8.5
Scored the opening try of the game and was a constant threat for the Sharks. Only ran for 114 metres, but involved in plenty of things creatively and was safe as a house at the back.
2. Siosaia Feki – 6
Got taken off with an ankle injury at one point, but came back and completed the game solidly, running the ball well when the opportunity presented itself and almost scoring a try.
3. Jack Bird – 8
The fact he played through what seemed to be an injured arm was a credit in itself, but the fact he did so well in doing it was brilliant. Ran for 162 metres and never stopped working.
4. Ricky Leutele – 6
Nothing flashy from Leutele, but got the job done on the left edge and always looked a threat.
5. Valentine Holmes – 7
Some flash runs from Holmes, and some other incredibly important ones that got the Sharks sets rolling on the back of kicks. Ran well over ten metres a run, ending with 180 and did some very good things.
6. James Maloney – 7
Picture of consistency is Maloney. Strong kicking game, sound decision making and as always created when the opportunity presented himself. Wasn’t outstanding, but did the job required of him.
7. Chad Townsend – 5
Not a great night for the born again half, and although he has been a big part of Cronulla’s premiership run, he made a number of mistakes.
8. Andrew Fifita – 9.5
Brilliant performance from Fifita, the front rower was the difference maker between the two sides. Made over 200 metres, tackled hard and was a threat everytime he had the ball, sending the Storm defence onto the back foot and creating space more times than you could count on one hand.
9. Michael Ennis – 7.5
The Cronulla hooker’s level of play wasn’t where it has been, but he is still being sent out a winner and has a lot to do with it. Good service from dummy half, solid decision making for the most part and his general niggle in defence – only gripe really was that his kicking at the line became a little unpredictable.
10. Matt Prior – 8
Has come on in leaps and bounds recently and continued that in the grand final, despite being taken for a concussion test during the second half – came back from that strongly to finish the game well.
11. Luke Lewis – 8.5
Personally, I wouldn’t have had him as the Clive Churchill Medal but he was close. Outstanding game from the experienced second rower, running for 148 metres and was a threat every time he was near the ball.
12. Wade Graham – 8
It’s been a wonderful season for Graham, and he was a key reason the Sharks got over the line. His combination with Maloney on the left edge is just deadly.
13. Paul Gallen – 7
Apart from the fact he assisted the first scrum-based try in recent memory, the Cronulla and New South Wales captain led from the front with his ball running, looked to create with offloading and muscled up in defence as we have come to expect.
14. Gerard Beale – 3
Didn’t really have a chance to do much in the contest, playing just over half an hour and receiving very limited ball and opportunities. Solid in defence though.
15. Chris Heighington – 5
Consistent performer is Heighington, and there was nothing different this time around. Ran the ball well, looked for opportunities and did his job.
16. Sam Tagatese – 3.5
Came onto the ground for only eight minutes in the end, returning from injury. Hard to do much in so little time, but he gave the Sharks a much-needed boost at that point in the match and was heavily involved during those minutes, picking up 53 metres from five runs.
17. Jason Bukuya – 6
Bukuya was once again, exceptional off the bench running the ball hard and injecting himself into the game. Ended up with 93 impactful metres.
113.5/170
Roarers, what did you think of the Sharks performance last night? How would you have rated their players?
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Albo
Guest
He wasn't knocked out ! That wobbly boot look and those glazed eyes were just him looking for his family up in the top deck of the grandstand ! Nope ! There are different rules for Grand Finals ! Just like the 10m rule is ignored !
correct sometimes
Guest
maybe you might understand that these sydney clubs have years of rivalry and many dont like the sharks. maybe you should leave mt isa once in a hwile
armchair expert
Guest
T Baz, how do you think Thomas Kelly's parents feel about it? Do you really think it's ok for the NRL to dismiss his actions as being "just some letters on his strapping" You are right in saying that they forgive those that have done wrong (as society does) and once he has shown some genuine remorse for publicly backing a killer and possibly faced judgement from the game that pays his wages, I am sure he will be forgiven as well.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I know that's what it's about but it's ridiculous. This game is so quick to forgive domestic abusers, drug users, match fixers, cheats, guys jailed for violent assaults, etc but we're going to deny a deserved Churchill medal and kangaroo jersey because of what someone wrote on their strapping?
Woodhouse
Guest
You're only as good as your last game. At least the sharks haven't been stripped of any. How embarrassing.
Dutski
Roar Guru
How did Bukuya come back on? I would have thought being knocked out would have ruled him out for the match.
Doogs
Guest
I am astonished that Cronulla won and yet the Sydneysiders can still have a huge whinge. When are you ever happy? It's about Fifita not getting the Churchill or Smith getting 71 tackles. That is a huge effort but you are still whinging. Is everybody in Sydney like that? Looking for your perfect day that you feel you are entitled to? I enjoyed the game. I was going for Melbourne but was happy for the Sharks fans who had waited a long time. Looking at the griping on here I saw that it made no difference at all
MAX
Guest
Spot on question Zedman. Cam now heads the list, heading Robbie Farah.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Agree with all of this Scotty except the Smith tackle count, questions need to be asked about what constitutes a tackle. No doubt he was involved in a lot of defense but third man in, grabbing a leg of an already tackled player, and being the last man off the tackle don't count as tackles for mine. The Storm always have three in the tackle, do they all get a tick for a tackle?
Geoff Evans
Guest
I dont care who won the game but I thought Fifita should have got the Clive Churchill Medal whoever won the game. I think it should be the best on the field and Fitita was best player by a long way. Like last years GF , milford should have won the medal as he was far better than JT.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The Australian selectors
Albo
Guest
Both half backs were under extreme pressure all game . Cronk was targeted well all night as expected, and copped plenty of late hits and had heaps of traffic running at him all night. Great Sharks strategy as predicted. Townsend was just totally out of his depth and it showed particularly with his poor kicking game in that 2nd half that kept allowing the Storm back into the game. Surely the worst half back in a winning GF side ever ?
Albo
Guest
Maloney was outstanding in the first half, and did a lot of vital defence in the 2nd half . He was especially good as he was handicapped by playing alongside the worst half back to be part of a winning GF team that I can think of ? Townsend was totally out of his depth and his poor kicking in that 2nd half allowed the Storm their only sniffs at an undeserved victory. A rating of 5 is way too generous.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Smith had more than just defence though Drew - in saying that, 71 tackles is monumental in anyones books and he would have won the Clive Churchill had Melbourne won the game.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate - be a boring world if we all thought exactly the same thing.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Graham was woeful in defence, almost a speed hump. Had to be injured
bearfax
Guest
I'm sure it wont Scott. I'm sure it wont. No disrespect intended. You write good articles by the way and I enjoy them. Dont have to agree with it all to enjoy them though.
Drew
Guest
But due to great defence, you gave Smith a 9. He tackled his heart out and made sure that his limbs were regularly tangled in the opposition's in the play the ball, yet he offered nothing in attack. When the other team has over 10% of the ball a hooker is going to make a lot of tackles. Great player, but an honest and competitive performance along the lines of Hindmarsh and nothing more. Koribete was Melbourne's best for mine. Agree regarding the halves assessments - Maloney was great, Green solid and the two halfbacks had poor games.
Scott Pryde
Expert
There might have been a few small changes, but the Sharks still were the stronger side for mine - it would have been the Sharks 'snatching defeat from the jaws of victory' so to speak. If people want to knock my credibility for having an opinion then go right ahead, it's not going to change how I sleep at night.
bearfax
Guest
Fair enough Scott. I'll accept that we see things a little differently, but that's just how it is. I do wonder though if Melbourne had scored late like they almost did, what your ratings would look like then. Just a thought. I suspect if you had the same ratings your credibility may have copped some flack.