As a dragons fan (who knew from the start this was going to be a lonnnng season), i can have more of a subjective view of the "derby".
First of all, it was one of those games that someone had to end up winning, despite both teams being rather shite. Was a heartbreaking loss in the end but before the game kicked off it was a result that 90% of people knew was coming. Can be extremely proud of the spare-parts mob that we fielded tonight, with no lesss than 8 of our top 17 out against a near-full strength top 8 team with everything to play for.
Sharks fans will say 2 points is 2 points, which are vital at this time of year, but i wouldnt take too much heart about "winning ugly". Winning ugly can usually describe a dour performance where a tough grinding win was punched out. Tonight, you guys were diabolical (which kept us in the match all night), but you got the chance to steal it at the end and did. This sort of performance in a semi final will not lead to an "ugly win" though.
Reffereeing was shit, but nothing to be unexpected with the current standards of NRL refs. Yeah the Beau Ryan try was very very dodgy, but you see them given i spose. In terms of the FIFITA try, my red and white glasses say NO TRY, but public opinion is split- some interesting pictures floating around social media indicating nightingale may have got there first. Look, going by the rules (which are seldom followed, the refs initial call should hold up here- meaning sharks win). However, What does irk me though is the ONE clear look at it! Every game, it seems a very black and white situation is sent to the video ref, and it is sometimes looked at 3-5 times. This was the match winning decision for either team, was 50-50, but they looked at it twice, ignoring several other angles available. MYSTIFIYING.
Anyways congrats on the win, but im confident as of next year our favourite chant will be extended to - "47 years and won f**k all- sharkies, sharkies
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