Thousands of delirious Cronulla supporters gathered at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Monday and the premiership party is showing no signs of relenting as Sharks fans continue to revel in the greatest day in their club's history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Captain Paul Gallen and his bleary-eyed teammates joined coach Shane Flanagan to address the throng, proudly wearing their diamond-encrusted premiership rings and clutching the trophy it's taken almost half a century to stash in Cronulla's dusty cabinet.
Celebrations raged across the Shire on Sunday night into the early hours of Monday morning, and several diehard fans were back at the Leagues Club from 7am.
The players assembled at the home ground from midday and at 1pm the queue to enter the Leagues Club stretched 50 metres from the top of the steps into the carpark.
Retired hooker Michael Ennis said he hoped the party never ended.
"I kind of don't want it to," the 14-year veteran said.
"I came through about 10 or 11 o'clock this morning along Captain Cook Road, seeing all the cars coming, the waves of people in all their Sharks gear.
"It's what you do it for, it's so good, the whole area deserves it. Great supporter base, great people, it's been an awesome week."
Ennis didn't make it home until 6.30am on Monday morning and admits he didn't go to bed, instead favouring a wistful reflection of the club's achievement from his verandah.
"I just needed some time to be with my family and just take it all in," Ennis said.
"It was hustle and bustle after the game and everything coming from everywhere.
"I just needed time just to chill out and take it all in and just reflect a little bit, it was pretty cool."
Gallen was also a late finisher, and said he still hadn't made it to bed between winning Sunday's grand final and addressing the fans on Monday.
"I didn't get to sleep, I went home but I'm all good, back here to celebrate with the boys and just enjoy the day," Gallen said.
"There's got to be 10,000 here at least. Just so happy they can share it with us.
"I know how hard all the players have worked in the past. I signed with this club 'cos of guys like Andrew Ettingshausen and David Peachey and Jason Stevens.
"They never got to experience this. I hope in some way they can take something out of it."
Cronulla's win on Sunday night was the club's first since entering the competition in 1967, and ended the competition's longest-running premiership drought.
