DUANE Croft has been down this path before as a Sharks fan.
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The year was 1997 and Cronulla had qualified for the Super League grand final against the might of the Brisbane Broncos.
As a fan of any sporting club, when it comes to finals or grand finals you dare to dream.
But Sharks fans don’t need any reminding of how their last grand final appearance went, including Croft.
He was in the crowd on that fateful night when the Sharks went down 26-8 at what is now known as QE II Stadium.
“I was there when we got beaten in 1997 so I said I’d never go to another grand final,” he said.
“You could say it’s a superstition.
“I always said I wanted to see a grand final win before I die, but it’s been 19 years since the last appearance in one, so lets hope we get the win this week.”
In recent times, the club has had four opportunities to make another elusive grand final and have fallen at the final hurdle.
In 1999, they were bundled out 24-8 by fierce rivals St George Illawarra.
Two years later they suffered the same fate when beaten 18-10 by Newcastle and then 16-10 by the Warriors 12 months later.
Prior to last weekend’s win over reigning premiers North Queensland, the Sharks last preliminary final appearance was in 2008 when they were shut out 28-0 by Melbourne.
“It’s been a long, hard time being a Sharks fan,” Croft said.
They won’t be at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
“We talked about going, but we’ll go over to Kayla’s dad’s place instead.”
He has supported the club for more than 40 years and traced his steps back to his days at school
“I used to live in the Shire and went to school across the road so I grew up with them,” he said.
Wife, Kaela, hasn’t always been a Sharks fan.
She supported the Roosters before Cronulla until she decided she didn’t like Braith Anasta
And then there’s daughter Zali and son Preston who was named after, you guessed it – former Sharks great Preston Campbell.
The eight-year-old was hopeful he wouldn’t have to wait as long as his dad to see a Sharks premiership.
He’s already been into the sheds in Newcastle this year after the Sharks belted the Knights 62-0.
A grand final win on Sunday night would top off an already enjoyable year.
“We met all the sharks players in Newcastle earlier in the year and they were really friendly and signed my jersey,” he said.
The youngster thought the Sharks would win 26-14.
“But I’m pretty nervous,” he said.
“Hopefully Valentine Holmes can score the match winner.”