Is there a club more deserving of success – after such a long period stranded in the premiership wilderness – than the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks?
Probably not – and that’s why so many people were happy to see them succeed this year at both SG Ball (under-18s) and Harold Matthews (under-16s) level… and go on to become under-age National Champions.
They say that waiting for the Sharks to win a premiership is like leaving the light on for Harold Holt. Well, you’d imagine the Shire’s power bill has dropped considerably after not one but four titles in 2015!
The Sharks’ SG Ball and Harold Matthews sides triumphed in their NSWRL Junior Reps Grand Finals – and, a week later, beat Queensland’s best sides at 16s and 18s levels, Townsville Stingers.
The Sharkies looked set to finish as national runners-up in the Under-18s National Final until the final minute of the match… when a one-handed Curtis Scott offload gifted Cameron Scott a try in a four-pointer eerily similar in style and significance to the Cowboys’ NRL Grand Final ‘Hail Mary’ play involving Morgan and Feldt.
It capped a memorable season for Cronulla – and, just like North Queensland’s title triumph, proved that on some occasions rugby league fairytales do come true.
Full-match replays of the Sharks’ triumphs, at state and national level, featuring commentary from the game’s sharpest minds and the NSWRL’s biggest names, follow:
Sharks v Eels Harold Matthews GF
