A week ago America trailed New Zealand 8-1 in the 162nd instalment of the America’s Cup. In incredible fashion, America stormed home, winning eight races in a row to take the cup.
As a tribute to Oracle Team USA, we will look at some great comebacks in sport.
AFL
Essendon versus North Melbourne, Round 16 2001
In arguably one of the greatest matches ever played, the Bombers were able to come back and secure a 12 point victory after conceding an amazing 12 goals in the first quarter.
At one point in the second quarter, the Bombers trailed by 69 points!
Essendon’s win set a new record for the greatest comeback in AFL history, breaking Hawthorn’s record of coming back from a 63-point deficit to beat St Kilda by 13 points in Round 12, 1999.
It was also the highest aggregate score of two teams playing since 1993; Matthew Lloyd finished with nine goals and Corey McKernan booted five for the Kangaroos.
Final score: Essendon 27.9.171 to the Kangaroos’ 25.9.159
Sydney versus Geelong, semi-final 2005
The Swans were down by four goals with eight minutes remaining in their semi-final against Geelong at the SCG.
The Swans had made a habit of being able to win games they shouldn’t have, but they looked dead and buried in this one.
Enter Nick Davis, who had hardly had his name called all night, but what a stunning arrival he made.
First a magical snap, then six minutes later another, and with three minutes to play he goaled again and the Swans were starting to believe they could win it.
But what happened next no one saw coming…
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYw2qGgQRQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlgYw2qGgQRQ
With that the Swans went on to beat St Kilda and then defeat West Coast in the grand final, ending the longest premiership drought in AFL history.
Final score: Sydney 7.14.58 to Geelong’s 7.11.53
Honourable mention: 1971 VFL grand final, where Hawthorn erased a 20-point three quarter time deficit to win the match.
NRL
Cowboys versus Panthers, 29th May 1998
The Panthers looked comfortable, holding a 26 point lead at half time, but not even a Ricky Stuart team could be as diabolical as what happened in the second half.
The Cowboys piled on 36 points to 2 in the second half to run out eight point victors and break the record for the largest comeback in NRL history.
Ironically, the Panthers share the record after they came back and beat the Warriors by the same margin in 2009.
Final score: Cowboys 36, Panthers 28
Honourable mention: St George Illawarra Dragons came from 34–10 down after 57 minutes to win 36–34 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 29 August, 2004 at Oki Jubilee Stadium.
Rugby union
Leinster versus Northampton, 2011 Heineken Cup final
Northampton managed to dominate the first half and were up 22–6.
In an incredible comeback, Leinster scored 27 points in the second half and managed to keep Northampton scoreless.
Some Leinster fans refer to this as ‘the miracle of Cardiff’, referencing Liverpool’s 2005 UEFA Champions League final win.
Jonathan Sexton was named man of the match.
Final score: Leinster 33 to Northampton’s 22
Football
Brisbane Roar versus Central Coast Mariners, 2010/11 A-League grand final
In arguably one of the best grand finals in Australian sporting history, the Brisbane Roar managed to win on penalties after a heart-stopping second period of extra time.
Both sides had their chances in the first 90 minutes, however neither team was able to break the deadlock. In extra time the Mariners were placed under enormous pressure early and were able to defend expertly.
This led to the opening goal of the match, scored by the Mariner Adam Kwasnik, and just seven minutes later Oliver Bozanic had the Mariners’ second and they appeared home and hosed.
In dramatic circumstances during the second half of extra time, the Roar were the ones pushing forward as they chased a goal that would give them hope.
Their reward came three minutes from full-time.
Roar captain, Matt McKay, lobbed a pass to Jean Carlos Solórzano, whose first time chest control gave him space he needed to find a pass to Thomas Broich, who set up Henrique to side-foot the ball into the Mariners’ goal.
Then in the 120th minute Broich’s corner found the head of Paartalu, which sent the game into extra time.
For those who haven’t seen it, it was a dramatic end to a great game.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SS49ue3vpQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSS49ue3v-pQ
Final score: Brisbane and Central Coast 2 all. Brisbane win 4-2 on penalties
Honourable mention: Liverpool come back from 3-0 down at halftime to draw the game 3-3 and go on to win the 2005 UEFA Champions League final 3-2 on penalties.
Other sports
Indiana Pacers versus New York Knicks, 1995 Eastern Conference semi-finals
Reggie Miller scored eight points in final 18.7 second to beat the Knicks in game one of Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The Pacers would go on to lose in the next round to Orlando.
Boston Red Sox versus New York Yankees, 2004 ALCS
The Red Sox overcame 3-0 series deficit to beat Yankees in the ALCS en route to the World Series.
Indianapolis Colts versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003
The Colts scored 21 points in the final five minutes of this Monday Night Football spectacular to knock off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35.
Losing 28-7 heading into the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning led the Colts back in vintage Manning fashion.
These are just some of the great sporting comebacks throughout history. What’s your favourite sporting comeback Roarers?
Wii
Guest
The regatta was an absolute farce from go to woe. Media reporting that there is a whistle blower within Oracle that could be about to speak. Oddly the head of the Official Challenger on Record was also the Cup Commodire who had final call on all races called off, race delays etc. There is a huge smelly fish here and it's not sour grapes
DJW
Guest
I was at Perth Glory's first grand final. We were up 3-0 and went on to lose in penalties.. horrible day.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Although boat design and finances that allow boat changes during the regatta are what wins these things, a lot of credit has to go to Spitall and his crew. They didnt give up, he made noises about being in the right position and being able to come back. He talked a big game and then backed it up by not making any major errors along those last 8 races. He got lucky when behind early on with a couple of races being called off, but luck is as much a part of sport as skill. Hes the typical Australian sportsman, except hes actually pulled off what he said he was going to pull off. Full credit to him.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Classic Oikee! Haha
oikee
Guest
The roar comeback was out of this world. People were walking out the gate in the thousands and had to race back into the stadium as the roar of the crowd was deafening. If someone had any brains, they could have charged them full price to get back in. hehe. Look, this is a comeback of epic preportions. Two guys are travelling around New Zealand, walking down a road in farming country they come across acre after acre of prime fruit trees on one side of the road, and on the other the trees are dying, whithering and look in terrible shape. They run into the farmer and tell him what they have seen and expect the farmer to be upset, he responds,"nay, they are the Kiwifruit, they choked". hehe
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I agree Johnno, still a team shouldn't lose from 8-1 up! :)
Johnno
Guest
What's so funny about all this is NZ Beat NZ, not USA beat NZ. Russell Coutts is a kiwi one of NZ greatest ever sailors. And 2 of USA's crew were kiwis Joe Spooner and Jono Macbeth, double the representation USA had. So america's cup is floored like that. If Oracle, could have all these kiwis on board and planning it. Eligibility rules should be looked at in the America's cup. At least in the 80's Dennis Connor, was USA VS Australia.
Cantab
Guest
......bugger, Hat's off to Russell Coutts and his crew.