CRONULLA SHARKS are gearing up for their first grand final win in this weekend’s decider against Melbourne Storm.
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One man hoping they secure their maiden National Rugby League title is Armidale’s Eric Archer.
Archer played for the Sharks from 1972-1979. He appeared 110 times in the Cronulla colours for 22 tries and 21 goals. He started his career in the centres before shifting to the second row.
Archer played for the boys from the Shire in the 1970s and played in their first three grand final appearances in 1973 and 1978.
He played in the centres when the Sharks went down to Manly 10-7 in the 1973 final in front of a 52,000 strong crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
It was touted as one of the most ferocious grand final matches of all time with collisions from start to finish which rocked the SCG.
The Sharks again qualified for the 1978 decider against Manly.
The match was drawn 11-all and was replayed the following Tuesday.
Cronulla-Sutherland went down in the replay game 16-0.
"It was a pretty special team,” he said.
"I [still] go down to the reunions.”
This Sunday, the Cronulla side face an uphill battle to overcome minor premiers Melbourne at ANZ stadium in Sydney.
The Victorian side are filled with players with big game experience but Archer is confident the Sharks side can topple them.
"Melbourne are a big time, they play well in big games but I think we can still do it,” he said.
"We hopefully will start out a big quicker than Melbourne and then get a bit of a lead and hang onto it.
"If we can break the line up a bit, that will stop their defensive pattern.
"If we get a few offloads, it will make it a bit easier.
"I just hope they win.”
If the game comes down to the wire, Archer tipped five-eighth James Maloney to break the deadlock.
"Maloney was a great buy,” he said.
"I think he steers the team in the right direction.”