More than $6000 was raised for the club's charitable foundation Sharks Have Heart last Sunday through the sale of 200-plus bricks that formed the iconic Paul Gallen-Andrew Ettingshausen mural.
The painting, entitled Up Up Cronulla and depicting Gallen and Ettingshausen embracing after the historic 2016 grand final victory against the Storm, was located on the corner wall of The Kingsway and Croyden Street in Cronulla.
The wall was recently taken down to accommodate a landmark development by the Sammut Group, but the bricks were preserved and sold for $10 apiece.
With 210 bricks snapped up by supporters, $2100 was initially raised for Sharks Have Heart - the amount generously matched by both the Sammut Group and builder Decode Group, taking the donation total to $6300.
"We're extremely grateful to the Sammut Group and Decode for not only graciously directing proceeds from the brick sales to Sharks Have Heart, but matching the amount," Sharks Head of Community and Government Relations Vinh Tran said.
"The mural was a great source of pride for locals, so it's fitting that we invest the funds back into the community by furthering our various social impact programs."
Anyone wanting to contribute directly to Sharks Have Heart can do so here.
While the art piece will return as an ultra-high-definition digital image within the Sammut Group's mixed-use 'Vue' project, comprising two eight-storey buildings due to be completed in 2025, Sharks fans were keen to secure some of the original work.
Premiership-winning captain Gallen was on hand to meet and greet buyers, taking happy snaps while autographing their bricks and certificates of authenticity.
The mural captured the iconic photo of Gallen and fellow Sharks great Ettingshausen celebrating when the club finally secured its first title.
"Other than having kids, best moment of my life," Gallen told Nine News.
"Up, up Cronulla, baby!"
The $350M Vue project will include 112 apartments, 880sqm of commercial space and 3000sqm of retail space, where the digitally restored mural will feature proudly.
