2016 NRL Grand Final

The Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks met twice during the regular NRL season; in round 4 and round 26. In round 4, the Sharks defeated the Storm 14–6 at Southern Cross Group Stadium in Cronulla, New South Wales to hand the Storm their first loss of the season; it was also the start of a sixteen-match unbeaten streak for the Sharks.[2] Round 26 was the last round of the regular season before the finals and the game between the two teams would determine who would finish 1st on the NRL ladder and claim the minor premiership. The Storm would go on to defeat the Sharks 26–6 at their home ground, AAMI Park in Melbourne, Victoria.[3]

The Sharks set the record for the longest winning streak during the 2016 season, winning 15 games in a row from Round 4 to Round 20,[4] whilst also breaking their previous best winning streak of 11 in a row.[5]

In their qualifying finals, the Sharks defeated the Canberra Raiders 16–14 at a capacity GIO Stadium in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and the Storm defeated defending premiers the North Queensland Cowboys 16–10 at AAMI Park. As winners of their respective matches, both sides moved directly to the preliminary finals in the third week of the finals series.[6] In the preliminary finals, the Sharks defeated the Cowboys 32–20 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales to qualify for their first Grand Final since 1997, while the Storm defeated the Raiders 14–12 at AAMI Park to qualify for their sixth Grand Final since 2006.

The Cronulla Sharks opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a penalty goal kicked by James Maloney after Marika Koroibete was penalized for a swinging arm on Chad Townsend. The Sharks then scored the first try after a scrum-base move from Paul Gallen sent Ben Barba over in the 15th minute. Maloney converted the goal leaving the Sharks with an 8 - 0 lead.[11]

Despite dominating ball possession and field position, the Sharks could not break the Storm's defence again in the first half and the score remained the same until half-time.[12]

The Melbourne Storm regained their composure in the second half with tries to Jesse Bromwich and Will Chambers. Both tries were converted by Cameron Smith enabling the Storm to take the lead 12 - 8.[13]

The Sharks responded through a try scored by prop Andrew Fifita in which he beat five Melbourne defenders from close range. Maloney again converted the goal leaving the score 14 - 12 to Cronulla with just nine minutes remaining in the match.[13]

The Storm had a prime opportunity to score when Chambers regathered his own grubber after a right-side break but he failed to recognise an unmarked Cooper Cronk. In the final seconds of the game the Storm again had a chance to steal victory with a play that went from the right side of the field to the left and then back to the right. The Sharks' scrambling defence managed to hold on, with Ricky Leutele making a desperate tackle which secured the club's first ever premiership.[11]