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Top 10 Most Memorable Grand Finals
Number 1
1989: Canberra Raiders verses Balmain Tigers
Above all, one Grand Final stands above the rest in the hearts and minds of many Rugby League fans. It saw one of the greatest comebacks of all time in the most dramatic of circumstances. If a script for the most memorable Grand Final of all time was to be written, then no one could surely match the story that unfolded on 24th September, 1989.
Unfortunately, there must always be a loser in any big game, but the way in which the Balmain Tigers lost the 1989 Grand Final was heartbreaking in the extreme. Despite the fact the game is held in such a high regard by the vast majority of fans; for Balmain supporters, many are still yet to come to terms with what transpired. In many ways, the Grand Final of 1989 was the last hurrah for such a proud and successful club.
It was only a decade later that Balmain would be omitted from the Premiership, forced to merge with Western Suburbs. Considering their eventual demise as a stand alone club, having won on that day would have been hugely momentous for the Tigers.
As it was, it was not meant to be and Balmain would not win their twelfth title. Instead, the Premiership of 1989 would signal a new era for the game. An era in which clubs from beyond the Sydney basin would enter the league and dominate; while traditional foundation clubs would slowly fade from significance.
For Canberra, it was a huge win for a young club. Upon their admission into the Premiership in 1982 the club had struggled badly. Despite defying expectations in 1984 and finishing equal fifth with South Sydney with the help of new signings Ivan Henjack and Dean Lance, Canberra lingered at the bottom of the ladder. It was evident that the Raiders needed a world class player; they found it in Mal Meninga.
In 1985 Meninga had won a Premiership in Brisbane with the Souths Magpies and was looking for a new challenge. According to Meninga, he did not want to live in Sydney and did not have an offer from Illawarra, so Canberra was his only option, despite advances by Manly-Warringah.
The addition of Meninga made a huge difference to the club and they were able to attract more high profile players; mainly from Queensland. Steve and Kevin Walters followed, along with Gary Belcher in the same year, while Peter Jackson joined in 1987.
Suddenly, Canberra had a competitive team and despite a lean season in 1986, the Raiders were establishing themselves as the Green Machine.
In the two seasons prior to 1989, both Balmain and Canberra had featured prominently. In 1987, with Wayne Bennett also attracted to the club by Meninga, the Raiders reached their first Premiership decider. Facing Manly-Warringah, Mal Meninga played with a broken arm as the Raiders went down 18-8. The year after, an up-and-coming Balmain took on the stellar Canterbury-Bankstown, losing 24-12.
In 1989, the season was dominated by South Sydney. The Rabbitohs finished the regular season as Minor Premiers with only three losses and a draw along the way. Unfortunately for the Bunnies, their good form during the regular season did not carry into the finals and they sensationally choked against the two eventual Grand Finalists.
Balmain beat them in the Semi Final 20-10 and a week later the Raiders demolished them 32-16. With the Rabbitohs out of the way, the stage was set for the third placed Tigers to take on the fourth placed Raiders. Up until that point no team had gone on to win the competition from fourth place and thus Balmain were cemented as favourites.
For Balmain, their success had been the product of blooding younger players following their Wooden Spoon season of 1981. Youngsters such as Steve Blocker Roach, Gary Jack and Ben Elias were quickly promoted into the top side, while they also recruited the likes of Scott Gale, Paul Sironen and Englishman Gary Schofield.
After their success in 1988, the club also announced the signing for New Zealand half-back Gary Freeman and former Canterbury-Bankstown Premiership winning coach, Warren Ryan. In keeping with their success in blooding young players, the club also promoted Tim Brasher, who was still at school, into the top side.
The start could not have been better for the Tigers, establishing a 12-2 lead at half-time, including a memorable try to second-rower Sironen. The lead electrified the Tigers and their fans, with many feeling that the Premiership was already won. Iconic Balmain prop Steve Roach was one who felt distinctively different however, sensing that the excitement of his team-mates at half-time was a dangerous sign, recognising that the Tigers had been lucky to be ahead.
Meanwhile, in the opposing dressing room, young Canberra coach Tim Sheens steeled his players with the notion that they had been marginally the better side in the first half. In hindsight, Canberra had furthered their signings in 1986 and 1987 to form a stellar side; held together solidly led by the imposing Meninga.
From one to seventeen, the Raiders line-up featured the biggest names of the era including Gary Belcher, Laurie Daley, John Chicka Ferguson, Ricky Stuart, Steve Walters, Kevin Walters, Glenn Lazarus and Bradley Clyde.
Looking back, if Balmain had gone on to win the game, it could be said it was something of an upset considering the multitude of talent in the Raiders side. Unfortunately for Balmain it was not to be and the second-half saw them make numerous and critical blunders that surely ripped the hearts out of their supporters.
Things started to go wrong for Balmain fifteen minutes into the second half when Chicka Ferguson set up a try for fullback Gary Belcher, narrowing the gap to four. This is when the Tigers nerves truly began to take a toll on their game.
Receiving the ball in open space and destined to score, Balmain five-eighth Michael Neil was desperately ankle-tapped by Meninga in a true Grand Final try-saver. Then, only moments later, another opportunity went begging when Captain Wayne Pearce sensationally dropped the ball in a back-line movement that had Canberra heavily outnumbered. Both potential tries would have secured the game and the Premiership.
The most controversial decision that cost the Tigers came from their coach Warren Ryan, demonstrating that even he was not immune by the pressure of the situation. With fifteen minutes to go, Ryan pulled both Steve Roach and Paul Sironen from the field.
The travesty of the decision was that in 1989, once an interchange was made, the replaced player was not eligible to return to the field. This meant that the Tigers were without two of their best players, both Australian and New South Wales representatives, for the most critical period of the game. Many League luminaries, including the Tigers players themselves, consider Ryans decision as the key factor that cost them the match and the Premiership.
Undoubtedly the replacement of Roach and Sironen was the turning point to the match and the Raiders began their charge. Balmains last shot to secure the game came shortly later, with hooker Benny Elias making the most famous field-goal attempt of all time.
Positioned straight in front of the posts and only ten to fifteen metres out, Elias kick went agonisingly close to securing the Tigers a Premiership. Elias certainly had enough time to take the shot and his positioning could not have been better, but again it was not meant to be. The well struck kick remained low and thudded hard against the cross-bar, ricocheting off it and back into the field of play.
The attempt is arguably one of the most memorable moments in all of Rugby League history, let alone the history of Grand Finals. It has since gone on to live in infamy and has been the subject of a number of advertising campaigns.
Leading 14-8, Elias field-goal would have sealed the game for Balmain, but instead it saw Canberra lift and begin to roll over the demoralised Tigers in a dramatic display. With only 90 seconds on the clock, Canberra were surging on the Tigers line. Looking to put Balmain under as much pressure as possible, their five-eighth Chris OSullivan sent up a towering bomb, in which Laurie Daley successfully tapped back to Ferguson.
Stepping back on his right foot, Ferguson made the play of his life when he sliced past three covering Balmain defenders to score. The pressure now fell to Meninga to convert, but he made light work of it to send the game into extra-time. From here Balmain were pretty much hapless, with the Raiders momentum seemingly unstoppable.
With Roach and Sironen still unable to return to the field despite the game going to extra-time, Balmain continued to battle on. When fullback Garry Jack knocked on after only two minutes, OSullivan seized the opportunity and kicked a field-goal.
From there Canberra held firm and minutes from the end, Canberra replacement Steve Jackson beat two men in a powering effort to score and seal the game.
The Raiders went on to celebrate their first Premiership and the first for a club outside of Sydney. That feat was memorable itself, signalling a new era for the game. Undoubtedly, Canberras victory paved the way for the likes of Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle to challenge for the Premiership from outside of Sydney. Equally as memorable was the pain and despair shown by the Tigers as the full-time siren sounded.
Dropping to the ground, the Tigers were left inconsolable, with hollow and empty looks on their faces as the Raiders celebrated around them. The loss was so hard for the Tigers players, and many of their fans, that they still lament it to this day.
Fifteen years later, players from the game were reunited by Big League magazine. Many Balmain players had not seen a replay of the match up until that point, with many refusing to watch it at all. Wayne Pearce has still refused to watch a replay of the game, even to this day.
Such was the drama and emotion of the day, Thomas Keneally went on to write a recount of the game titled; A Movie Script That Came To Life. The game is also commemorated by the Raiders and Wests Tigers each year with the 1989 League Legends Cup.
Balmain featured in the finals series the year after, but beyond that the club declined as a stand-alone entity. As for Canberra, the Raiders would go on to win the 1990 and 1994 Premierships, while finishing runners-up in 1991. To this day, the Raiders side of that era is considered to be one of the greatest teams of all time, establishing, rightfully, the clubs nickname as the Green Machine.
Top 10 Most Memorable Grand Finals
Number 2
1963: St. George Dragons verses Western Suburbs Magpies
The 1963 Grand Final between the St. George Dragons and Western Suburbs Magpies was memorable for a number of reasons. For all its uniqueness, controversy and gruelling play however, the everlasting image of the day has become a shining beacon of courage, determination and above all, sportsmanship.
The mud-laden embrace between rival captains Norm Provan and Arthur Summons after the fulltime siren has become the most important image in Australian Rugby League history.
Under the surface though, the Grand Final was plagued by controversy and claims of punting by the match referee.
By this stage the Dragons were well on their way in their campaign to make sporting history. In 1956, the club began its domination of the league by winning the NSWRL Premiership. From there the Saints went on to win a world record eleven straight Premierships, culminating in 1966.
Their main rivals at the time were the Magpies, who ironically, considering they would later represent the working class fibros of Sydney, were known as the Millionaires. After going from Premiers in 1952 to the Wooden Spooners of 1953 and staying there, Wests went on a spending spree.
In 1956 the Magpies bought the likes of Harry Wells, Arthur Summons and Ian Moir and by 1958 their side was basically a team consisted of imported players from other districts. In fairness, the Dragons success was built on doing the same approach, funded by the revenue gained from poker machines at their Dragons Leagues Club.
In hindsight, it was the Dragons and Magpies that were the groundbreakers in luring high profile players from other areas to their club in an effort to buy a Premiership. Nowadays such activities are common place.
Obviously the tactic worked for both clubs and the Magpies made it to the 1958 Grand Final against the Dragons. The Saints ran out victors 20-9, but Wests would be back at it again in 1961.
The three seasons of 1961, 1962 and 1963 were the panicle in the rivalry between St. George and Wests; with both teams meeting each other in the Grand Final in each year. Unfortunately for the Magpies, they were unable to snare a Premiership in each attempt.
Without doubt, their best chance came in 1963 and the showdown between the two sides did not disappoint.
The regular season had seen both sides finish well ahead of the pack. Despite finishing ahead of the Magpies, the Dragons had been unable to defeat them all season. This culminated in a close Semi-Final where Wests won 10-8, earning their place in the Grand Final.
The Dragons faced Parramatta the next week and won, 12-7, thus setting up the showdown.
After beating their opponents only two weeks before, the feeling amongst the Magpies team and fans alike was obviously positive. Finally the Magpies felt as though they had a combination to beat the Saints. But even before the game had started, that mood took a drastic change.
Whilst preparing before the game in the Wests dressing room, their hooker, Noel Kelly claims that fellow player and future Supercoach, Jack Gibson entered and said; Mate, we cant win
Darcy has backed them.
Darcy of course was Darcy Lawler, the referee in charge for the day. His reputation as a punter preceded him and some of his controversial calls during the game only solidified the Magpies suspicions. In true Magpie grit, the Wests players went as far as confronting Lawler on the field in regards to his handling of the match, something they confirmed after his death.
Despite the allegations against Lawler, the day itself was destined to live in infamy. In front of a then-record crowd of 69,860 at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground, the game was played in quagmire conditions of thick mud and slush. The scenes witnessed in the Grand Final of 1963 surely will never be seen again. The Sunday Herald described the players as they left the field as; plastered from head to toe in mud
looking like bronze statues.
At one point, Saints five-eighth Bruce Pollard was so covered in mud that he was blinded and was unable to pass or catch the ball. Ultimately he swapped places with Johnny Raper and played the second-half at lock.
Unsurprisingly, the game itself was a low-scoring, scrappy affair as the two sides battled for every inch of ground. In the end, it was Darcy Lawlers controversial interpretations that made a paramount difference to the game, not to mention an 18-7 penalty count to the Saints.
Just before half-time and with Wests trailing, Arthur Summons put a grubber kick into the Dragons in-goal. Charging through, Magpies winger Peter Diamond appeared to ground the ball just before the dead-ball line. Lawler ruled that Diamond had not grounded the ball however.
But the most controversial of Lawlers calls came with 15 minutes to go in his ruling of a fair try to Dragons winger Johnny King, which proved to be the match winner. Receiving the ball, King fended off his opposing winger John Mowbray and raced down the sideline.
With Magpie fullback Don Parish coming across in cover defence, King was forced to the ground, but in the muddy conditions Parish fell off him. According to Wests players, referee Lawler was screaming held and thus their defence relaxed. King however, got back to his feet and continued towards the line.
In an opposing version of events, King claims that Lawler in fact ordered him to play-on and he continued to score one of the most controversial Grand Final tries in history. With strongly held opinions though, the Wests players still consider that were robbed of the Premiership by that decision.
Still bitter about the incident to this day; Noel Kelly went on to write; Every time I see film of the game, I see Darce turning us around. I have nightmares about it
I will never forgive Darcy Lawler for what he did that day. It infuriates me to today.
After the game Darcy Lawler retired and never refereed again.
In the end the Dragons won 8-3, sinking all hopes of the Magpies halting St. Georges historic run of Premierships. As the players limped off the ground, completely covered in mud, opposing captains Norm Provan and Arthur Summons sought each other out for the games most memorable embrace.
The image was preserved by photographer John OGready and has since been immortalised on the games Premiership trophy, starting with the Winfield Cup in 1982.
Despite the glowing symbol of sportsmanship, Arthur Summons has since admitted that while he was embracing Provan, the bitterness of the game led him to say that the Saints were lucky to win. He may have been in his appraisal.
Provan however, sums up the spirit of the image perfectly by saying; I was trying to tear Arthurs head off five minutes before I embraced him and they took that photograph. Part of it is the Australian attitude. You can contest very fiercely and then a minute later you can be mates. Thats what Australian Rugby League is all about.
Top 10 Most Memorable Grand Finals
Number 3
1997: Newcastle Knights verses Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The year 1997 will always be remembered among Australian Rugby League circles for a number of reasons. It was, of course, the year of split competitions as the Super League War reached its pinnacle. With the ARL and Super League going head-to-head, it was a matter of two competitions, two Premiers and two representative seasons, including two separate State of Origin series.
On the Super League side, it was the Brisbane Broncos that dominated. They took the only ever Super League Premiership against the Cronulla Sharks and also won the World Club Challenge against the Hunter Mariners.
But despite the Broncos winning ways and some of the unique changes that Super League adopted, in the hearts and minds of many Rugby League fans the true Premiership was that of the ARL. After all, the ARL was the traditional competition that had existed since 1908. It featured many of the traditional clubs that had shaped the illustrious history of the code.
Not only that, the Super League Grand Final was played one week prior to that of the ARL decider, allowing fans to focus their attention upon the big game; adding greatly to the spectacle.
Like they had done in the two seasons prior, it was the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles that dominated; finishing as Minor Premiers behind Newcastle, Parramatta and North Sydney. Coached by Bob Fulton, Manly enjoyed the likes of Geoff Toovey, Terry Hill, David Gillsepie, Mark Carroll, Nik Kosef, Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies, among others, in a stellar line up.
For the Knights, it had already been an ultra successful year after finishing second in the regular season. Up until that point, the Knights had performed well since their inception in 1988, but were not considered to be a serious Premiership threat. Their roster boasted a young and talented side, but when compared to more established sides such as Manly, their chances were viewed as minimal.
In hindsight however, they had a stellar line up. The Knights possessed talent that would go on to be some of the greatest players in the code. With the likes of Robbie ODavis, Darren Albert, Adam MacDougall, Owen Craigie, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, Tony Butterfield, Paul Harragon, Adam Muir and Marc Glanville the Knights had as good a team you could put on paper as any.
Irrespective of their somewhat dormant talents, the Knights still faced an uphill battle when facing the reigning Premiers in the Sea Eagles. Not only had Manly beaten them two weeks earlier in the Major Qualifying Final, the Sea Eagles had put the sword to the Knights in the previous ten encounters between the teams, for an impressive winning streak.
As always with Grand Finals however, statistics equated to nothing on that big day in September.
From even before kick-off, the game promised fireworks as Manly and Newcastle were already fierce opponents. In particular, the rivalry between Manlys Mark Carroll and Newcastle captain Paul Harragon now lives in Rugby League folklore. It did not take long for the two big behemoths to clash.
In only the second minute, the two came together after Carroll instantly reacted to a shot placed on Manly captain Geoff Toovey by Harragon. In their on-going battle alone, the stage was set for an explosive and unpredictable match-up.
In keeping with the expectations of the day, Manly showed their class in scoring first with a try to John Hopoate. In celebrating, Hopoate got into Robbie ODavis face and mocked the Knights fullback in a move that ultimately would leave the Manly winger red-faced later in the day. ODavis would have his revenge and the last laugh.
Manly did not have it all their way though, when in the 13th minute Geoff Toovey was steamrolled and left the field with a concussion. He was replaced by the wily legend Cliff Lyons and the Sea Eagles went on to score another try with a thrilling left-hand side movement that started 55-metres out.
Two tries down, Newcastle entered the scoring with a penalty goal and then a scintillating try by Robbie ODavis who was beginning to wind up for a stellar performance. Manly hit back in the 38th minute as Cliff Lyons injected himself into the play, sending fullback Shannon Nevin over to score on the back of a Paul Harragon mistake for a 16-8 halftime lead.
After the break, Geoff Toovey attracted punishment again when he was stomped on by Adam MacDougall in a sickening incident. Manly did not relent though and went within inches of scoring and securing the Premiership when Steve Menzies charged towards the line, only to be repelled by Knights replacement Troy Fletcher.
The try-saving effort proved pivotal as the Knights were the next to score through a penalty goal by Andrew Johns, bringing the Novocastrians within one converted try. By this stage however, Manly had adopted a conservative approach in holding on to their lead which proved detrimental.
With less than 20 minutes to go, Manly were awarded a penalty 32 metres out after a swinging arm by Harragon. The option to kick, taken by the Sea Eagles, was poor in hindsight as Nevin missed in the swirling breeze. Catching the attempt, Newcastle winger Darren Albert returned the ball with a 40 metre run as the tide surely began to turn.
Despite Manly mounting some pressure over the next ten minutes, the Knights held firm and resisted the Sea Eagles fleeting attempts. Feeding off the pressure, the Knights began to roll over Manly and the hopes of the coal city intensified.
Again it was Robbie ODavis who injected his magic into the contest, spinning determinedly through the scurrying Manly defence to score under the posts with five minutes remaining. As Andrew Johns converted, the scores drew level and the possibility of a Newcastle victory seemed plausible for the first time in the game.
In true Grand Final spirit, the contest looked set to go to extra time. After three years of the Super League War and the devastation bequeathed upon Rugby League, the 1997 season was set for a grandstand finish.
The true tale of courage from the day belonged to Andrew Johns. Only a week earlier, the legendary Knights half-back had suffered damaged ribs and a perforated lung. Upon checking himself out of hospital however, Johns insisted on playing and turned in a memorable performance.
Despite showing clear signs to distress, he came to the sideline and had begun making his way up the tunnel when he received a message from Newcastle coach Malcolm Reilly. The former Sea Eagle and British international ordered his half-back onto the field in a move that proved vital to the Knights chances.
Hiding his distress on the field, Johns stood at dummy-half with only seconds left on the clock. With Newcastle heavily on the attack and the Manly defence scattered, his brother Matthew shouted for the ball to be thrown in-field for a field goal attempt. Showing his greatness and foresight in the most dramatic way, Andrew resisted his brothers urgings and instead scurried to the blind side from dummy-half.
In a move that mystified most of his team-mates, the play also mystified the Sea Eagles defence as he stood in a tackle and sent a timely pass to charging winger Darren Albert.
What transpired is an image that has been replayed over and over since, as Albert scurried through a gaping hole and continued untouched to score under the posts. The try created scenes of euphoria as the coal city erupted and Alberts fellow Knights players converged upon him in celebration. The scene prompted broadcaster Ray Warren to famously proclaim; Newcastle - have won - the Grand Final!
In a play that shattered the Manly faithful, the Albert try is surely one of the most memorable moments in all Rugby League history, let alone Grand Finals. Furthermore, Newcastles come-from-behind win was undoubtedly inspirational and a true Rugby League fairytale. The victory was a massive morale boost for the Newcastle district, who had been suffering after the BHP steelworks had announced its closure earlier in the year.
More importantly, the epic battle between the Knights and Sea Eagles is said to be the game that saved the game. Rugby League Week went on to say that it had given the code a kiss of life as 25,000 people in Newcastle took to the street in celebration.
Ultimately it was a turning point in three years of struggle for Rugby League. It prompted the governing bodies of the ARL and Super League to come together and strike a peace deal which saw the establishment of the NRL.
Newcastle would go on to win another Premiership in 2001, but their historic first Premiership victory in 1997 will never be forgotten.
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Comment by Steven Tripp
on Top 10 Greatest Australian Rugby League Teams of All Time
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I acknowledged that though; as stated the Dragons were the first club with enough savvy to pouch the cream of the crop from other clubs and surrounding regional areas.
Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, Manlys Premierships in the 1970s were backed by a hefty war-chest. Good on them for doing it! They earned their place in history.
As for being a Manly hater, would I have really included them as one of the Top 10 Greatest Teams of All Time if I despised them? Manly-Warringah are a great club, with a proud and important history. They certainly cop a lot of heat and they certainly attract much hatred, but thats what makes this game great! In anything there are heroes and villains and since their tenure in the Premiership, Manly have gathered a lot of animosity through jealously or otherwise.
I would suggest you embrace any alleged hatred. Manly will always be competitive and are likely to succeed further into the future.
So thank you for your incoherent and grammar-void comment. I must ask though; if you choose to comment in the future, please consult a dictionary or use a spell check. Other than that, gather some brain cells and learn how to use a full-stop!