["< sod > after the 2016 season where the sharks finished 3rd, they would defeat the raiders in the week 1 qualifying final 16 - 14 and earn the week off. advancing to the preliminary final, they defeated defending premiers [ [ north queensland cowboys ] ] 32 - 20 at [ [ allianz stadium ] ]. they would face and defeat the [ [ melbourne storm ] ] in the [ [ 2016 nrl grand final ] ] 14 - 12, ending [ [ michael ennis ] ]'s career in the best possible way. < ref > { { cite news | url = http : / / www. abc. net. au / news / 2016 - 10 - 02 / brave - sharks - survive - storm - surge - to - claim - first - ever - current premiership / 7896680 | title = nrl grand final : cronulla sharks defeat melbourne storm to claim first premiership | first = dan | last = colasimone | publisher = [ [ on abc tv news ( australia ) | abc news ] ] | date = 2 october 2016 | access - date = 2 october 2016 } } < / ref > < eod > < sod > after the 2016 season where the lake sharks finished 3rd, they would defeat the raiders in the week 1 qualifying final 16 - 14 and earn the week off. advancing to the preliminary final, they defeated defending 2016 premiers [ [ north island queensland cowboys ] ] 32 - 20 at [ [ allianz stadium ] ]. they would face and defeat the [ [ melbourne storm ] ] in the [ [ 2016 nrl grand final ] ] 14 - 4 12 to claim their first premiership in the club's over 50 year history. < ref > { { cite news | url = http : / / www. abc. net. au / news / 2016 - 10 - 02 / brave - sharks - sharks survive - storm - surge - to - claim - first - ever - premiership / 7896680 | title = nrl grand final : cronulla sharks defeat melbourne storm to claim first premiership | first = dan | last = colasimone | publisher = [ [ abc news ( south australia ) | abc news ] ] | date = 2 october 2016 | access - date = 2 october 2016 } } < / ref > < eod >"]