It’s a moment that will long live in the hearts and minds of rugby league fans.
The emotional embrace between Sharks premiership winning captain Paul Gallen and Club legend Andrew Ettingshausen following Cronulla’s maiden premiership.
It was a moment where time stood still. The tears of ecstasy combined with the sheer relief after 50 years of premiership hardship lifted from the shoulders of everyone involved with the Cronulla Sharks Football Club.
NRL Head Photographer Grant Trouville was the man who was lucky enough to capture the moment and still says today, it was a truly special moment to witness.
“I’m really humbled to win this award,” said Trouville.
“For it to be the first sports photo to win the Nikon-Walkley Photo of the Year is really special and something I’ll hold close to my heart forever.
“It’s great for the game of Rugby League and to showcase the emotion that comes with our sport on a world stage is great.”
With the two subjects in the image playing a large part in the Club’s 51-year history, Trouville understood the emotion the two were feeling at the time of the shot.
“It was a surreal moment.
“The emotion and passion shown by these two is amazing. What that moment meant to the game and the Club was massive so to be a part of that was great.
Congratulations Grant on this fantastic achievement. Our Club is proud of your efforts and looks forward to many more great shots to come!
