As Cronulla went Up! Up! on Sunday night to win their first premiership, so went with them what might be the last great team story in rugby league. Forget the porch lamps, time to blow out the candles. Romance died under the tattooed arm of Andrew Fifita. Helluva way to go out.

Parched fans, without a drink from the cup of victory since 1967, quenched their thirst in fine style with a win over the Melbourne Storm. Whether you like their players or not, this was a great sports story. The problem is, rugby league doesn't have any left.

The Sharks were the last historic club to etch their name on the title. Only the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans remain to celebrate on grand final day. Both would be a good story but neither have the decades of hurt and history to make it truly special.

Rugby league now charges into the 2017 bereft of a 'curse'. Sure, there are the occasional 'hoodoos', whatever that means, or quirky records like teams failing to have won at a ground for extended periods. But a curse? The Sharks took care of that.