3 October, 2016 16:45

IMRAN GASHKORI | Sports Editor | CONTACT

With South Australia still reeling from significant natural disaster that has seen their entire state without power for nearly five days straight, this weekend’s AFL and NRL grand finals have seen two of the most memorable drought-breaking victories in the history of Australian sport.

The Western Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks contest their last matches of the year in their respective codes on the weekend, with both coming through with the silverware – a spectacular two days of fairytale sports drama that makes people not care about South Australia.

The Bulldogs (AFL), or Footscray Football Club, had not only gone decades without winning a flag, but had only reached one other season decider since taking out the title in 1954.

Cronulla, meanwhile, has been in the top flight rugby league competition since 1967 and never won it all, until last night.

With both codes expecting plenty more headlines, mad monday antics and vast increases in club membership numbers, both the AFL and NRL have proven that they are the most important elements of Australian culture.