The stakes weren’t quite as high as the 2016 Grand Final, but we still had a dramatic finish as some slick hands and a crazy Harry Grant flick pass helped the Storm salvage something from an otherwise disappointing season.
Premiership-winning captain Paul Gallen brought out the ball for Saturday’s contest, but the club’s young brigade couldn’t get them over the line as Trent Loiero scored with seconds remaining to snatch a 24-20 victory.
Melbourne had a similar chance in a frantic finish 10 years ago which they couldn’t ice, with Saturday’s result small consolation after they missed the finals.
The result means Cronulla will finish fifth and will host the Cowboys in an elimination final, with the only question now whether they’ll play it at a raucous Shark Park or in the heart of Sydney at Allianz Stadium which will probably be half empty.
You can watch the insane flick pass and try in the player above.
Playing at their actual home ground would be a major advantage for the Sharks who would get 15,000 next week against an interstate side, with only a few more people expected if it is shifted to the better venue.
That decision will be made on Sunday, with the Sharks to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their maiden premiership while also honouring the rookies who almost helped them to an upset win.
Riley Pollard got the comeback started when he threw a lovely ball for Sione Katoa to score, before Riley Jones had the crowd on its feet as he crashed over a minute later in his first game for the club.
The Sharks weren’t able to grind their way to victory in the second half, and they have a major concern with star prop Addin Fonua-Blake placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Cooper Clarke with 10 minutes to go.
SIN CITY
It wasn’t as memorable a debut for Michael Gabrael whose first tackle in the NRL saw him sent to the sin for a high shot on Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown.
The Storm winger had to be stretchered off in the fifth minute and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Fiery winger Ronaldo Mulitalo joined his rookie teammate in the sin bin a few minutes later when he lashed out and hit Grant in the head with an open palm.
Referee Todd Smith had to call the two captains out at one stage in the first half with the teams combining for eight penalties and 10 set restarts in the opening 40 minutes which saw the home fans chanting about bull manure at one stage.
STORM SEASON
A baby Sharknado hit the Shire a few hours before kick-off with strong winds and heavy rain bringing some relief after a stinking hot day in Sydney.
And while that type of weather is common this time of year, there will be no Melbourne Storm in the finals for the first time since 2010.
Their injury crisis is well-documented, with superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes joining that list when he came off in the first half with a hamstring issue just a month out from the World Cup.
The Storm managed just 11 wins – their lowest total since 2002 – with reports on Saturday that veteran five-eighth Cameron Munster will hit the open market on November 1.
Super coach Craig Bellamy needs to work his magic ahead of his final season with the club, with Sua Fa’alogo one of the few bright spots this season, with the flashy fullback scoring a cracking try when he chased through a long Grant kick.
Originally published as Harry Grant insanity leads Storm to last ditch win over Sharks as Cronulla star faces nervous wait