LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In the annals of Rugby League history, long before the likes of Paul Gallen led the charge, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks were already making waves.
Back in the day, a shiny trophy from the Amco Cup, sponsored by an Aussie clothing company, held court in the Sharks' trophy cabinet.
It was the pride and joy of the club, overshadowing even memorabilia from legends like Andrew Ettingshausen and Brett 'Noddy' Kimmorley.
Despite being the butt of jokes for years, that 1979 Amco Cup triumph still shines bright as one of the Sharks' finest moments.
And it all began on this week in history, back in 1979, when they took on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval.
The Amco Cup competition back then was a real test of grit and skill, with a round-robin format leading up to knockout stages.
The mid-week games at Leichhardt Oval were a battleground for teams vying for glory.
Cronulla found themselves in Pool B, facing off against tough opponents like the Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, and even a team from across the ditch, Auckland.
Led by Norm Provan, the Sharks made short work of the Bulldogs in round one, cruising to a 22-8 victory and setting the tone for the tournament.
As they say, every journey begins with a single step, and for the Sharks, that step in the Amco Cup paved the way for a historic triumph that still echoes through the halls of Rugby League glory.