A friend asked me yesterday: “What’s your saddest memory?” Without really thinking about it I said: “September 24, 1989.”
To understand why, you need to keep everything in this context: I was ten.
I was a Balmain Tigers fanatic – I loved every player like they were gods, and so much greater than gods, because if people asked me how many tries Jesus scored in 1989, I wouldn’t know.
I’d guess twelve, but that’s probably Alan McIndoe’s try count for the Panthers that year – I always confused those two guys. I think because they both were tradesman and both retired in Tumut.
I also had all of the footy cards and had bought so many packets of the cards, I’d convinced myself the stick of gum was actually good chewy.
Even players from other clubs like Gary Belcher, Michael Speechley, Greg Florimo, Gavin Miller, Phil Blake, Cliff Lyons and Dean Schifilliti are all forever etched into my memory as they appeared on the 1989 footy cards.
It was my religion.
The Balmain Tigers: Garry Jack, Tim Brasher, James Grant, Steve Roach, Benny Elias, Sironen and Wayne Pearce – they were the superstars.
But the side was also teeming with workhorses like Mick Neil, Steve Edmed and Bruce McGuire – John Lennon was right, the working class heroes were something to be.
But there was something else that ensured my complete devotion: My Nanna and Uncle Bob were both massive Tigers fans.
When my Nanna would ring me, she would tell me about the 1969 grand final, Balmain’s last premiership. I’d cherish our chats about how Steve Roach, Paul Sironen and Wayne Pearce were the best, chuck out the rest.
Infinity Ever After, Amen. I wished and wished that the Tigers would win not just for me, but for my Nanna and for Laurie Nichols.
We had all been heart-broken the year before as The Tigers had lost to Canterbury-Bankstown (robbed of course), but the year of taunts from Bulldogs fans would forever be washed away.
There was no doubt in my mind or my Nan’s mind: 1989 was the Tiger’s year. Nothing would stop them from going all the way – especially not the Raiders.
In my mind the teams were light years apart. With 20-20 hindsight its hard to see how I could think that so unwaveringly, the Raiders had: Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Gary Belcher, Brad Clyde, Glenn Lazarus, Steve Walters, Dean Lance and John “Chicka Ferguson.
Chicka bloody Ferguson!
I haven’t re-watched the game to this day, but I can imagine that try in slow motion anytime I want to when I close my eyes – it’s like what I imagine Vietnam flashbacks to be.
It’s brilliant play, but it still hurts.
Even now, I think if I ever got to meet the legendary “Chicka” Ferguson, I would have to try and tackle him!
Then again, if all of my childhood heroes can’t – what chance would I have?
By the end of the extra time and the full score is 19-14.
My concept of belief was shattered. Wishing no longer mattered.
The idea that if you worked really hard, you could achieve anything: gone.
Meaningless, meaningless! Everything is meaningless!
In a cruel twist: the players I had loved the most had made mistakes one after the other, after the other. Wayne Pearce had lost the ball with an unmarked Brasher on his outside, Elias missed a field goal, Roach and Sironen were off the field (benched by Warren Ryan – they were then ineligible to return to the field in extra time).
Garry Jack knocked on too.
By the time the Raiders’ Steve Jackson dragged half the Tigers across the line to score the final try the entire universe made no sense. All purpose for existence was gone.
It’s a lot to expect from an NRL player, who in one sense just wants to bash into other players for a living until their joints break down.
It ups the stakes of the game of rugby league to remind yourself they are more than players, they are role models to a lot of kids who love them as intensely as I loved the 1989 Balmain Tigers.
I learned a few good things that day too. It’s okay for a man to cry. There are times when it just makes sense.
I learned that fanatics never really get to enjoy anything as a whole. I had watched 80 minutes of the best rugby league ever played and had hated most of it.
It’s wise never to get too invested, I enjoy watching sport more again now. Now when I watch rugby league, I don’t see 17 gods, there are 34 to chose from.
Moving on, it took time, and that’s what I’ve learned longer term: time does heal. That thing you thought was the most important thing in the world, wasn’t.
That’s a good thing to remember, putting things in perspective even now.
But I guess in a way it is my saddest memory, because in my ten-year-old world it was one of the only certainties I had believed in. That can damage a kid.
It’s because kids feel this way about their sporting heroes that everything needs to be done to ensure this latest scandal is dealt with and responded to quickly and effectively.
Drugs in sport aren’t necessary. Has there ever been a better grand final than Raiders versus Tigers? Not that I can think of?
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Honestly though sheek, hypothetically speaking, would you have pulled Blocker and Sirro? You at least have to concede that it was a tactical error on the part of Ryan. :) What made it even more peculiar, was the fact that Warren Ryan was generally a consistently sharp football brain...this decision was an anomaly.
Jay Sullivan
Roar Pro
It is hard comparing players from other eras. A lot has changed since '89. Garry Jack was an old school fullback. With the introduction of the 10m, the fullback's role has evolved a lot. Last year I was amazed how good the fullbacks were in each of the top four teams. Dangerously quick, skilful and smart footballers. With regards to Belcher, I knew he was a great player because every time he had the ball for Queensland or the Raiders I'd worry.
Simo
Guest
Yeah it still hurts! 2005 did heal some of the wound. Gee Ian Maurice was a quality commentator not sure how Rex Mossip ever got a start!
Peeeko
Guest
I don't think you would get many supporters saying that Clyde was better than raper. Also if ball main has won they would have made leichhardt a 40,000 seat stadium? You're dreaming
Johnno
Guest
And of course the wonderfully talented Canberra player born and bred, Brad Clyde who won the clive churchill medal on that hot Sydney day as a an amazing talented 19 yr-old lock forwad, maybe the greatest lock in the last 40 years, even better than Raper even, maybe the greatest ever lock. Ellery Hanley could challenge, both Brad Clyde and Hanley were something else. Mayeb Hanley just, but Clyde was a true great player, injuries got the better of him, but Clyde was the start of that new wave of complete forwad of the modern game. To win the clive churchill medal at 19 was an amazing effort. What's even more remarkable about Brad Clyde in 1989, in his test debut and test rebut series vs NZ in the 3 test series held in NZ, a 19yr old Brad CLyde also won player of the series. What a player Brad Clyde was from 1989-1994, best forwad in the game hands down, then Lazarus 2nd.
Johnno
Guest
Balmain would still be in the comp if they won that grand final. It was the beginning of the end for them. The deathknell. Leichardht oval would of been renovated, and been a 40,00 seat stadia. Balmain was still working class in 1989. Now it's been gentrified and yuppies moved in, and inner city types, and housing prices have gone up. It was a hot day too, and Blocker and Siro wiltled in the heat. Benny Elias so close, the best grand final ever, and most heartbreaking, just ahead of the Newcastle 1997 grand final. Was heartbreaking for that great Balmain squad, the end of the road for that 80's team, but for rugby league Canberra winning was the best thing for the greatest game of all, as they say. Canberra winning was the start of a truly national rugby league focus, . Also spare a though for the forgotten team that year, South Sydney who topped the comp won the minor premiership, then Ian Roberts, and a few injuries got the better of them, they had a good team too, and were getting the whole city behind them in support. Canberra had a super side, and a real talented young side. Glen Lazaurus, Laurie Daley,Ricky Stuart, Steve Walters, David Barnhill,Nigel gaffey. and the experienced hard heads Big Mal, Dean Lance, Gary Coyne, Chicka , Steve Jackson, and the great Kiwi prop Brett Todd. Great days those afternoon Grand FInals.
sheek
Roar Guru
No, Greg Pierce wasn't the greatest lock to play the game, & neither was Wayne Pearce!!!!!
sheek
Roar Guru
I have fond memories of the 1989 grand final. AFTERNOON grand final, BBQ at a mates place surrounded by family. It was awesome. I was a neutral. Canberra had lost in 87 to Manly & Balmain had lost in 88 to Canterbury. I was happy for either to win. Great game, especially going into extra-time. Balmain very, very, very, very unlucky. Elias hitting the crossbar with a field goal. BTW, I don't blame Ryan for pulling Roach & Sironen. It's revisionist thinking to suggest this lost them the game. The Tigers relaxed, that's what forced the game into extra-time. Then they panicked (tightened) & that's what lost it for them. Also enjoyed the 2005 grand final. That was my last live grand final appearance to date.
Peeeko
Guest
I'm pretty sure they ot busted or being over the salary cap
waterboy
Guest
Willy boy, the Badge and Jack were very good players no doubt. But Slater is beyond the description of very good......he is other worldly. I love your passion and rose coloured views though mate. Greg Pierce was the greatest lock to ever play the game......wasnt he?
Will Sinclair
Guest
You're talking garbage Waterboy. There is no way Billy Slater starts the 1989 Grand Final ahead of either of those fullbacks. For one thing, he was only 6 years old. (In all seriousness - Jack and Belcher were brilliant. Garry Jack in particular was probably still the best positional and defensive fullback I've ever seen. His ability to cover players with vastly more speed than him was amazing.)
Jack Waru of Port Moresby, PNG
Guest
1989 Grand final still lingers, especially the bitter end. A great fan I was and still am with Wests Tigers. All the players of Balmain Tigers that time were my heroes. Especially G Jack, T Brasher, W Pierce, H Hanly, G Freeman, S Roach, P Sironen, J Grant, B and J Elias to name a few were the reason I was the die-hard fan of Balmain Tigers. Still am with West Tigers. Go the TIGERS !!!!
waterboy
Guest
Willy, Willy, Willy....I admire your loyalty and passion, but there has to be some modicum of reality in your rating of fullbacks
Jay Sullivan
Roar Pro
I look back at the Raiders team and wonder why I ever thought the Tigers could win, but at the time, it was definitely the other way around and no one rated the Raiders. The Tigers forward pack seemed so dominant, but again, with hindsight, there were some superstars in that Raiders pack too.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Jay, I'm a Parramatta supporter. But I still watch moments like that and feel for the players. They pour their whole lives, hearts and soul into it. I've seen some interviews with Pearcey and when he talks of that day, It's almost like he is still traumatised. The frustration of knowing that the only accolade you need to complete a glittering career, is the premiership you will never have.
Will Sinclair
Guest
How good is that clip! The highlight is Garry Jack bringing down a flying Mark Bell as he went for the corner. These claims about Slater being the best of all time are garbage - he wouldn't have got a start in the 1989 Grand Final ahead of Jack or Belcher.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Also helps that the Canberra side of 1989 - 1994 was one of the greatest rugby league teams of all time. We just didn't know it yet!
The Don
Guest
I come into this from a different perspective, as a Raiders fan now and then that will probably be the single greatest moment in our history and close to the greatest moment in my life. In the lead up to the grand final nobody gave us a hope, we were just going to be the Tigers sacrificial lambs as far as the majority of non Raiders fans were concerned, There were people that honestly believed that the Raiders could not win because we were not a Sydney team, which I am sure they now regret saying. I remember my grandfather telling me that this would be the Tigers downfall, he was certain that they would take us to lightly and underestimate us. I guess what I learned that day was not to underestimate anybody, never give anybody any extra ammunition to use against you, if you work really hard for it you can achieve anything and most importantly even things that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things can unite a peoples.
Jay Sullivan
Roar Pro
I went to the Raiders v Tigers at Bruce a few years ago, they had Tigers players there as a commemorative thing for '89. When they played bits of it on the screen the Tigers players turned away and couldn't watch it. I was the same.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Who could forget it? A rugby league game for the ages. Swings, turns and drama of the highest order. I'd like to bet that Wayne Pearce still has nightmares over that dropped ball. Poor bastard. And what the funk was Warren Ryan thinking benching Blocker and Siro; a shocking tactical error that rendered them ineligible to come on again in the event of extra time. One of the bigger facepalm moments in rugby league coaching history.