PHOTOS: Sharks supporters at victory fan day talk about the grand final and their passion for the club

They come from far and wide, the Leader found at Monday’s fan day to celebrate the historic grand final win.

Their stories added to reports of fans travelling from overseas, including England, Canada, the US and New Zealand, hoping to see history made.

Most of the supporters who lined up the longest for the gates to open for the fan day had travelled from suburbs such as Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Glenmore Park, Ingleburn and Greystanes.

Others near the top of the queue were from Brisbane, Cessnock and Forster Tuncurry.

The Walker family, of Woolooware, were one of the largest family groups at the fan day, represented by three generations of supporters.

William Walker attended the Sharks first game at Sutherland Oval in 1967 while he was a student at St Patrick’s Sutherland, and his family have all followed in his footsteps.

“The win was fantastic – I thought it would never come,” he said.

Nathan Cassel, of Camden, and his step brother Liam Browne, of Campbelltown, were first in line to make sure they got a good spot next to the stage.

“I grew up in Sutherland Shire and have always followed the Sharks,” Nathan said.

”Last night was amazing, unreal. I have waited 24 years, my entire life, for this. It’s pretty special.”

Jordan and Belinda Brownlie are from Glenmore Park in Panthers territory, but are diehard Sharks fans.

“I love Gallen because of the way he plays,” said Jordan. “I was just hoping they could hang on.”

Michael Codd and Michelle Rixon, from Cessnock, watched the game with their children at Events cinemas at Miranda.

“We couldn’t get tickets to the game, and so this looked like the next best option and it only cost $10 a ticket,” Michelle said.

“There were lots of people there and it was amazing to see it on on the vmax screen – probably better than going to the game.”

Michael started following the Sharks after Matty Johns, who originally was from Cessnock, joined the Sharks.

Kara Dent, of Loftus, said the Sharks had “fought so hard to win the premiership, and they absolutely deserve it”.

Amanda Cescutti, of Fairfield, who brought along a jumper to get more signatures, said she started following the Sharks because her father was a Dragons supporter and she had heard a lot about the rivalry between the clubs.

“I loved coming here to the beach, and I just started liking the Sharks and have been following them ever since.

“They have made my whole year. I was at the game and I couldn’t stand up at the end because I was shaking so much.”

Jon and Debbie Simmons, travelled from Brisbane with their three children for the grand final.

“When I was a kid, Jonathan Docking was the Sharks fullback and because my name is Jonathan and he was a little fellow like me, I started following them,” Jon said.

“The atmosphere at the game was the most amazing I have ever experienced.”

Rachel and Adam Peterson, of Bangor, watched the game during a party at home with their two children.

“My father has been a Sharks supporter since 1967, and we were raised on it,” Rachel said.

Chris and Emma Burrows, of Bulli, said the suspense was incredible.

“I think the refs did a pretty good job,” Chris said.

Lance and Brad Fletcher, from Forster Tuncurry, said it was a great game of football regardless of who won, and they were overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

”I was born and bred in Engadine and moved north when I was 17, which was 37 years ago,” said Lance.

Will Ritchard, of Thirlmere, said, “it was a cracker of a game and the boys couldn’t have done anything more”.

“My father grew up in Engadine and followed the Sharks  and I have followed on,” Will said.

Michelle Halbouni, of Miranda, said the Sharks title bid, and success, had been “very positive and uplifting for the community”.

“It has given everyone  a good feeling,” she said.

John Traill, of Panania, attended the fan day with his daughter and son-in-law Jan and Don Reardon and their children, who live at Revesby.

John thought the highlight of the game was the busts made by Andrew Fifita, one of which resulted in the match winning try.

“I grew up at Gymea and have followed the Sharks since when I was a kid and used to go to Sutherland Oval by myself,” John said.

Jan Reardon’s grandmother, Beryl Hughes, a devoted Sharks fan, died from cancer eight weeks ago, and her scarf and beanie were worn to the grand final by her great granddaughter Abbey.

The grand final was an emotional time for Judy Burke, formerly of Sylvania and now a Greystanes resident, whose husband Ron, a staunch Sharks fan, died in March this year.

Judy’s grandchildren brought a photo tribute to their "Poppy" to have it signed by the players.

Lyndal and Dane Bishop, of Ingleburn, said the grand final was so nerve wracking, they “shed tears” when the Sharks won.

Brandon Nairn, of Heathcote, who has “followed the Sharks for 23 years, all my life”, said the last few years had been “a roller coaster”.

“But, I really believed, if any team could do it, this one could,” he said.

Brett and Kylie Panozzo, of Kirrawee, said the grand final had been very positive for the shire.

“It has brought the community together, the young and the old – there has been a good spirit everywhere,” they said.

Siobhan Quince, of Sutherland, said the grand final was “magic”.

“They worked hard to get there and they deserved it,” she said.

Lauren and Trent Newton and their two young children, Kobi, and Laila, watched the grand final from different venues..

”The boys went to the game and the girls watched at home,” Lauren said.

“It was unreal. It’s been a long time coming.”

Kobi, 7, said: “It was the best day of my life”.