STARS AND STINKERS FOR THE SHARKS IN THE NRL GRAND FINAL

1. BEN BARBA – Capped off a brilliant season with an assured performance at the back and the Sharks’ opening try from an old-fashioned scrum play. 8

2. SOSAIA FEKI – Calm under pressure out of the in-goal before a left knee injury forced him off early in the second half. 6.5

3. JACK BIRD – Could barely use his right arm after twisting it in a tackle but battled on for a brave second half. 7.5

4. RICKY LEUTELE – Typically solid in defence with a few hard runs. 7.5

5. VALENTINE HOLMES – Showed the speed and agility that’s made him a success in the NRL. Four tackle busts. 8

6. JAMES MALONEY – One of the best on field. His big game experience proved invaluable, creating plenty of opportunities and booting 3/3 for the win. 9

7. CHAD TOWNSEND – A solid kicking game and reliable in defence, despite an early dropped offload from Fifita. 7.5

8. ANDREW FIFITA – A freak. Made 23 runs for 189m, 12 tackle busts and scored the match-winning try under the posts in the 70th minute. 9.5

9. MICHAEL ENNIS – At his pesky best in his farewell match. Gave away a penalty in the first set but made a team-high 41 tackles. 8

10. MATT PRIOR – Continued his solid finals form with a mammoth 189m effort, despite time out with concussion. 8

11. LUKE LEWIS – A warrior and relentless as ever. Clive Churchill medallist. Slid to within centimetres of the Sharks’ first try. 9

12. WADE GRAHAM – Copped a couple of big knocks and struggled at times. A few good kicks but missed seven tackles. 6

13. PAUL GALLEN – A typically powerful performance from the skipper. Set up Barba’s try. 8

INTERCHANGE

14. GERARD BEALE – A couple of nice plays under pressure in limited minutes. 6.5

15. CHRIS HEIGHINGTON – Had an immediate impact with some barnstorming runs and handy carries. 7

16. SAM TAGATESE – Only saw eight minutes but was solid in his first outing in five weeks. 6.5

17. JASON BUKUYA – Made plenty of metres before being taken off with a nasty concussion in the second half. 7.5