Jack Bird raises both arms - including the injured one - after the Cronulla Sharks win their first NRL grand final.

Jack Bird feared he had broken his elbow early in the Sharks' historic triumph over Melbourne and admitted not even "his arm coming off" would not have forced him off the field in the grand final.

Still nursing a numb elbow after Sharks skipper Paul Gallen accidentally fell on Bird's right arm during a tackle mid-way through the first half - forcing it to become severely hyperextended - Bird said the pain was nothing like he has felt on a rugby league field before.

As Cronulla's wafer thin bench was decimated at various stages in the second half through concussion tests and injury, Bird said only some anaesthetic administered at half-time helped him finish the game.

Cameron Spencer Andrew Fifita celebrates with Jack Bird after scoring the Sharks' title clinching try.

"I thought I actually broke my elbow," Bird said. "I can't recall being out there on the field and having so much pain in my life. Nothing's going to stop me coming off that field ... no way.

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"I wouldn't let the boys down, no way. If my arm came off I'd still play."

Matt King Cheyse Blair of the Storm is tackled by Jack Bird of the Sharks during the 2016 NRL Grand Final.

Bird appeared in severe discomfort at several stages and after immediately receiving treatment from Cronulla's head trainer Andrew Gray appeared a long shot of continuing.

Coach Shane Flanagan has carried a centre on his bench all year in the form of Gerard Beale and the Kiwi international stripped ready for action on numerous occasions as Bird struggled.

But the 21-year-old said a succinct message from Gray, and then Gallen at half-time, meant he was never going to head for an early shower as the Sharks scrambled to victory thanks to Andrew Fifita's superhuman try late in the game.

"[The trainer] just told me I'm a tough **** and to just dig in and stay on," Bird laughed. "I said to [Gallen] at half-time, 'you broke my elbow. What are you doing?' He said, 'did I? You'll be right'. Nothing is stopping me.

"If you saw someone injured in the opposition team you're going to target them and run at them all day."

Bird's breakout year will make him arguably the hottest property on the NRL market next year when his contract ends after the 2017 season and he will be a point of interest when Mal Meninga's Test squad is announced on Monday afternoon.

And his rise has included a maiden State of Origin berth and now grand final success in just his second year of NRL.

"Ever since I was a little boy ... to win a grand final and play for my state has been unbelievable," Bird said. "I wouldn't have it any other way. It's something I've always dreamed of - I never thought I'd play footy again [with my arthritis] - and here I am on the big stage and I've got a ring."