Chad Townsend received a text message shortly after the ignominy of being a halfback hooked against Canberra in the second match of the finals. It read: "Good luck mate, we're all behind you." It is still unknown whether its origin was Lachlan Coote.
It was one-way traffic on Friday night as Cronulla strolled into the grand final - and really, the whole game will be a highlight for their fans. Despite this, here a few of the most magical moments from their SCORELINE victory.
Cronulla have just another nine days between them and a chance to end 49 years of false starts and false hope, knocking out the reigning premiers with a 32-20 victory.
They're the great mates who will enjoy a beer together after the game.
Joey Leilua hasn't been able to wipe the smile off his face all season, but 18 months ago he hated his life. He was fat and he knew it. Problem was, he didn't care.
Raiders legend Alan Tongue predicts big things for Canberra captain Jarrod Croker.
Former Raider Sandor Earl says the "Leipana" highlights reel is getting more and more "ridiculous".
The many faces of Sia Soliola – warrior, leader, mentor, community worker, ambassador, budding comedian.
Triple premiership player Steve Walters says the Raiders are "truly capable" of ending their premiership drought.
He signed a scholarship with the Raiders when he was just 12, now he's pinching himself before a preliminary final.
Sam Williams will have travelled over 2040 kilometres inside four days leading up to the NSW Cup grand final.
It's been six years since I've done this column and it's great to be back talking about the real facts in the game.
First came the bake, then the bacon. The missive from Ricky Stuart that he didn't have time for blokes like Shannon Boyd from what he had heard, then the acceptance of the country kid warts-and-all - even if it includes his famous pig hunting pursuit.
Four Melbourne Storm players have survived every game of 2016 as the club heads into Saturday night's preliminary final.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy wants more balance from the Queensland and New South Wales media coverage of his side after another finals campaign filled with "wrestle stories".
Cooper Cronk's milestone game, Canberra's deadly right-side and Ricky's rant about referees headlines our list as we deep dive into the Storm-Raiders match.
John Singleton once offered to shout Ron Massey a lunch where he could invite his 10 best mates.
Eddie Hayson is Australian sport's version of the Littlest Hobo. A coupla gorillas here; the odd free one at Hayson's former den of intrigue, for someone otherwise down on his luck.
There is a little game being played in the lead-up to this weekend's preliminary finals. Two coaches are playing it; two are not.
New Zealand Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle says new signing Kieran Foran has already told him he 'deplores' the idea of match fixing as the pair begin to tackle all the issues required to get the fallen star back on the field.
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