NRL grand final 2016: Paul Gallen lauds resilence of Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks prevailed despite a strong Melbourne comeback and a horrific injury toll that resulted in Jack Bird, Matt Prior, Sosaia Feki and Jason Bukuya playing on despite heavy knocks.

In the case of Bird, there are suspicions he may have played on with a broken arm, although the full extent of the damage - which could impact on his chances of Kangaroos selection - won't be known until he undergoes x-rays.

There were suggestions Cronulla could 'do a Johnathan Thurston' and use their press conference to lobby for government funding for an upgrade to their home ground. Instead, they used the occasion to speak of the indomitable spirit of the Shire outfit. The Sharks have emerged from a series of on- and off-field scandals in recent years, most notably the ASADA dramas which put the club's very existence into doubt.

However, they are now the champions, for the first time, in their 50th year.

"It means so much to us," Gallen said. "To the club, to the former players who have busted their backsides for the place. This club and this brand, it's got to be one of the most resilient brands in Australian sport.

"It's been broke, gone broke three or four times. We had all those dramas a few years ago, people trying to destroy the club and destroy individuals. We just kept turning up and going out week after week.

"Flanno came back and we built this strong team. Right from November last year we had belief we could finish top four and then we went on [to contest to be] minor premiers. Once the semifinals came around we knew if we played our game we could win."

The result was in doubt, even after the final siren had sounded. The Storm, in possession and attacking the tryline, threw the Steeden from one sideline to the other in the hope of a final miracle try.

"I'm still a bit numb to tell you the truth," said coach Shane Flanagan.

"That last play the ball, that last tackle, I could see it slipping away. We were so close and it could have been taken away from us in the last play of the game. That's how close the game was.

"One tackle had to be made, somehow we made it."

Cronulla's motto for the game was 'want it more' and so it turned out. The result was particularly sweet for Flanagan, who watched the club struggle while he was suspended over the ASADA dramas. The club stuck by him and they have their reward.

"I think of him as a tradesman, because he is, he's a plumber," Gallen said.

"That's the way he goes about his business, he's real tradesman-like. He's unflashy, he doesn't wear good clothes, he's not the best-looking man, he still goes down the local pub most nights for a beer.

"He's real tradesman-like and that's how our team is. If everyone plays to their potential we win most games."

Intrigue surrounds whether Andrew Fifita, considered unlucky not to have been awarded the Clive Churchill medal, is picked for the Australian side on Monday. Fifita made it a personal mission to get the better of Storm enforcer Jesse Bromwich and scored a critical try in a barnstorming performance.

"He's fast, he's got good footwork," Flanagan said.

"He's got such a big motor for a 128kg human being. He's got great skill. There's not too many like him."