Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll: Canberra’s 1989 win over Balmain tops the list of top five rugby league grand finals
Everyone loves grand finals… except maybe the poor old Sydney Swans.
As we all get excited about what’s coming up between the Panthers and Storm, I’ve decided to put together my top five grand finals.
I wanted to have the 1996 decider at number one, but my editor blocked me. Apparently because I was part of the winning Manly team that makes me biased!
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.So, I’m not including any of the three grand finals I played in - which at least means I don’t have to talk about that bloody win by Newcastle in ’97.
Here we go:
5. 1981: PARRAMATTA 20 NEWTOWN 11
The Eels’ first premiership and two tries to the great Brett Kenny. The fans ‘celebrated’ by burning down their home ground, Cumberland Oval. I pinched a fence paling from their final home game, knowing it was going to eventually be redeveloped.
4. 1999: MELBOURNE 20 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18
Decided by a rare penalty try in the final seconds. Referee Bill Harrigan made a brave call – I wish a few of the modern refs would back themselves in the same way.
3. 2015: NORTH QUEENSLAND 17 BRISBANE 16
The first golden point Grand Final and what an epic. I took a poorly timed trip to the bathroom and heard the roars when Ben Hunt dropped the kick-off in extra-time. I came out to see Johnathan Thurston kick the winning field goal. Unbelievable.
2. 2023: PENRITH 26 BRISBANE 24
The Broncos thought they were home. Esra Mam scored an incredible hat-trick to put them ahead by 16 points. But the Panthers are never done, and Nathan Cleary made it three titles on the trot with 10 minutes of perfection.
1. 1989: CANBERRA 19 BALMAIN 14
The first extra-time Grand Final ever played and a maiden premiership for the Raiders, thanks to an amazing solo try from bench forward Steve Jackson.
So many heart-breaking moments for the Tigers, like Benny Elias’ field goal attempt that hits the crossbar. Then Blocker Roach and Paul Sironen are replaced by the coach – that was the game-changer.
