NBA podcaster Tom Read gave me the inspiration for this article when he tweeted that he was there in person to see Carmelo Anthony’s 37-point explosion at the 2012 London Olympics.
For the uninitiated, Team USA smashed Nigeria 156-73 and ‘Melo’ caught proverbial fire.
In just 14 minutes he went crazy, scoring 37 points and hitting 10 three pointers.
That’s right, 37 points in 14 minutes. Staggering. Even typing that sentence makes me shake my head.
It’s one of those sporting moments etched in my memory, even though I was simply watching on TV. You can only imagine the exhilaration one would feel if they were actually at the game.
Except Tom doesn’t have to imagine. He was there. He witnessed this iconic moment in the flesh. Lucky bastard.
Though jealousy was indeed the first emotion I experienced, the next one was delight. To realise someone I knew was there for that moment was actually pretty cool. And my thoughts immediately turned to The Roar, because I knew this nutbag community of sports fans would have their own similar stories that would blow me away.
And I want to hear about them.
As a little inspiration, I’ll list the iconic sporting moments that I was fortunate enough to be present at:
At long last, the Waratahs!
Waratahs versus Crusaders, Super Rugby Final, Homebush, August 2014
This one is fresh in the memory, but I can assure you, as a long-suffering Tahs fan, it won’t be erased any time soon. To be there at the very moment that Bernard Foley’s kick wobbled over the crossbar, and then hearing the final siren a few seconds later, was nothing short of amazing.
It was emotional. It was exciting. It was nerve-wracking. Above all, it was fantastic to be there to help dull the pain of every Waratahs defeat, and every season of unfilled potential.
The greatest game of rugby ever played
Wallabies versus All Blacks, Bledisloe Cup, Homebush, July 2000
What more needs to be said? Though Australia ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, any time a game is described as the ‘greatest’, you should feel pretty lucky to be there.
The strangest thing about this Test is just how bad it started. The All Blacks led 24-0 after nine minutes, with tries to Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen and Pita Alatini, along with an Andrew Mehrtens penalty.
However, the Wallabies fought back, and the game went right down to the wire, before a Jonah Lomu try sealed a famous victory for New Zealand in front of a crowd of 110,000, of which I was blessed to be one.
LJ pulls Lisa Leslie’s hair out
Opals versus Team USA, Sydney Olympics, Homebush 2000
Though the result of the gold medal game didn’t go the way Australia wanted, it was a thrill to see the Opals give the mighty USA team all they could handle.
This game will forever be remembered for Lauren Jackson getting tangled up with her arch-nemesis Lisa Leslie, and pulling her hair out. To be more accurate, Leslie was wearing hair extensions, and LJ accidentally yanked one out. It startled her, and she screamed before throwing it away. It’s comical in hindsight, but it was surreal live.
This memory is even more special for me, because post-game the Opals did a lap of honour with their home crowd, and Annie La Fleur – a long-time family friend – spotted me, and ran over to give me a hug. I can tell you, it’s quite the buzz to be recognised and hugged by a silver medalist.
Joey Johns’ Origin masterclass
State of Origin Game 2 , Homebush, June 2005
I’m still in awe when I think about this match, as rarely have I seen one player have such an impact on a game of sport. Joey absolutely dominated.
The champion halfback was coming back from serious injury, having only returned to the NRL ten days earlier, and there was plenty of talk that he wasn’t ready for Origin football. Adding to the drama, the Blues were already down one-nil and facing a series loss.
Joey responded by almost single-handedly dismantling the Maroons in a performance for the ages. It was a special moment in rugby league, and I was proud to be there for it.
England – finally – win back the Ashes
England versus Australia, The Oval in Surrey, September 2005
I can’t believe three of my iconic sporting events are when Australia lost, and as an Australian, this was easily the least fun of all of them to be at. Yet I can’t deny how momentous it felt at the time.
After years of one-sided Ashes series and Australian domination, Freddie Flintoff, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen and the rest of the English gang finally won back the famous urn in 2005, and unfortunately I was there to experience cricket history on days one and five.
Warne, McGrath and Langer’s last Test
Australia versus England, Sydney Cricket Ground, January 2007
The pain of 2005 was soon partially erased by the euphoria of winning the Ashes back in convincing fashion, courtesy of a 5-0 drubbing in the summer of 2006/2007.
The euphoria of the revenge against England was matched by the sadness of saying farewell to three of the greatest players to ever wear the baggy green, as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer played their last Test in Sydney.
Though the Test itself is fairly unmemorable, saying goodbye to Warney and Pigeon – two players who make a lot of people’s all-time best XI – added a strong sense of history to the occasion.
I’ve got a few more, but it’s time Roarers made me jealous.
What iconic sporting events were you lucky enough to be at?
Phil
Guest
We must have followed each other around,Sheek.I was at Bledisloe 2000,the Boks game at SCG( a mate of mine threw a beer can at a protester and I cringed as I knew there were police standing right behind us,but when I looked around all I could see were big smiles from them)and also at SCG when Snow created the walk off.I think he had hit one of the Aussie low order batsmen with a bouncer earlier.
Phil
Guest
I am with you k to k,of course I enjoyed Cathy's win but I realised what an absolute privilege it was to see a legend win in such dramatic fashion.Was a pretty special(sorry,Bruce McAvaney!)night,what with Michael Johnson as well. I was also at Bledisloe in 2000 with a Kiwi mate and was nearly ready to leave when 0-24 down.I don't think I have ever been to a game where my team lost and I could not have cared less. AFL GF in 1989 was also one of my highlights.Hawks v Geelong in what many rate as the greatest Aussie Rules finals of all time.It was magic to see the toughness of Brererton and Dipper plus the master class from Ablett in a losing side.
Linzam
Guest
I was at the game that never was, Waikato vs the 1981 Springboks in New Zealand. Anti-apartheid protesters broke through the police cordon, tore down the fence, stormed onto the ground and sat down in the centre of the pitch. When a light plane was stolen from Rotorua and the pilot threatened to dive it into the grandstand, the police cancelled the game. We may not have seen a game, but I've never been anywhere where the excitement, tension, anticipation and fighting were at such heightened levels. For an iconic game I was at the first game of professional international rugby, 1996, when the All Blacks beat Australia 43-6 at Athletic Park in Wellington. This was a great Australian team, but the All Blacks played possibly the most complete game of rugby ever, in atrocious conditions.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
Origin 3 2006
Cameron
Roar Guru
I wish I had seen this article earlier. I have seen some great matches live and witnessed live on TV! 2011 semi-final broncos vs Dragons - Darren Lockyer's winning field goal with a broken jaw 2003 WCFinal Australia vs England - damn you johnny. 2005 Australia vs Uruguay WC Qualifier Aloisi! 2011 Reds vs Crusaders 2011 Roar vs Mariners. 2 goals down with 3:30 left to play and Henrique and Erik Paartalu drag it out of the fire. 2011 Darren Lockyer last origin and Thurston getting wheeled out on a wheel chair. 2006 WC Australia vs japan. Cahill! 2011 I saw all those events live in person. There are any others but they stand out most.
HarryT
Guest
Was there too Bilbo. Did you get onto the pitch after. We were amazed at how good the lights were.
Billy Bob
Guest
1991 quater final v Ireland - a triumph of intention and execution over Celtic passion. Unbelievable. Only saw it on TV but it's forever etched in my memory. Another TV game was 1981 watching Warringah smack Randwick in a game shown on 7 or 10, made more pertinent for 2 things, 1) that Randwick were rarely beaten, let alone spanked, in those days, and , 2) that I was,at the start of that season a chance to play in that Rats side. (A slim chance but I was in the squad at the start of the year before I found something more important than rugby. Yeh I know, what was I thinking?) Then another big game was a league grand final with an underdog and a favourite (Manly). The favourites were in charge but the new guard was emerging. And emerge they did that day. The fresh club Newcastle and the Johns boys were the ones to rise to dominate the code and it all began that night and what a victory it was. I'll never forget it. Then the big oneSydney 2000. The world champion wallabies vs NZ freshly disappointed after their capitulation to France in 1999. What a game! There surrounded in a very black-attired and loud crowd, and accompanied by my Kiwi father in law. The anthems were amazing! All three of them. A great sprit between respectful nations. Wonderful interchange of banter between the fans (as it has always been, the Cooper witch-hunt aside). Three thunderous black charges to the line within 6 minutes! 24 nil inside 360 seconds! And the whole time I was thinking to myself- 'it's going to be really interesting to see how you get us out of this one Macca' (Macca being a distant but respected old club-mate) And get us out of there he did. Over the next 34 minutes the Wallabies answered back every one of those 24 points, to got to oranges locked up at 24-24! Then in the second half we even led! A couple of times. The loss at the end was a relief for both teams. NZ for not blowing a dream start, and Australia for a massive saving of face after a nightmare start. Two rugby giants (at the time) slogging it out in a heavyweight bout to thrill. Certainly the most thrilling contest I've ever seen. And the winner was not Australia. The victory went to NZ and the game of rugby. I am still grateful to both teams, coaches and fans.
Squirrel
Guest
We wagged the afternoon off school and watched that game . It was a fantastic game if rugby and though Randwick lost 25-3 the game was very close with abs running away with it. Randwick had about 7 wallabies in the side. One of the best games I have seen.
Scrubbit
Guest
My only regret was that I was only 10 and didn’t recognise just how special the moment was. My mum and dad had split a couple years before and I’d gone to live with my dad for a year in Salt Lake City. He was always a major sports nut, and while he didn’t love B-Ball he knew this would be his last chance to see the MJ bulls. I have no idea how he got the tickets (to be honest I’m not sure I want to know what he had to do for them) but we were about 20 rows back near centre court. As a 10 year old I was more interested in annoying home fans rather than watching the game (call it the QLDer in me) so a lot of it is fairly fuzzy in my mind, but I’ll always remember the last minute of the game. When MJ made a driving layup the atmosphere changed dramatically, there was still noise in the air, but it had changed from a confident supporting rally to a nervous murmur so to speak. Then when Karl Malone tried to post up, and was then double teamed with the ball taken away by Jordan, people’s heads just went straight down. The only noise you could hear were the away fans (of which I’d say there’d have Been around 100-200 max) screaming from the nosebleeds. Then up went that shot, up came the hands to cover the faces of nearly every Utah fan in the building. Some of the fans had already started leaving, not interested in watching Utah attempt a game winner. That last minute has always stuck with me, but I wish I had of been older at the time to truly appreciate the moment. Also I’m pretty sure Karl Malone was trying to start a fight after the game as well which I remember. I think a couple teammates had to hold him back. (This is the third time I've posted this. Keeps getting moderated)
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
No offense taken at all, Bondy! I just wanted to hear what iconic sporting event you were lucky enough to be at, and it seems like you were at one of the top 1 or 2 in Australia's history. That's very cool, and I'm jealous I wasn't there myself.
Bondy
Guest
Ryan Nonsense settle down. I've highlighted that the Socceroos when they qualify for a fifa world cup go global with the sport being played in excess of 200 countries. I did not degrade any other or individual sport at all I posed a question for others to think of or at least thats the way I saw it if I've offended you or others any anyway I apologize ..
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Bondy, it was a fantastic event. Probably number 1 or 2 - depending on how you feel about Cathy Freeman's 400m gold medal performance - in Australia's sporting history. No one is talking that down. No one said it wasn't 'nation defining' (and when was that a criteria for iconic sporting moments anyway?). No one said it didn't unite the nation. But unfortunately, I wasn't there. I wish I was; it would have been amazing. But the point of the article was to celebrate what iconic sporting moments people were actually lucky enough to be at, and I wasn't on that occasion, so I couldn't list it. For you to then try and belittle other moments in Australian sport because they weren't as great as that one is just silly. Considering this piece was a celebration of Australian sporting memories, your comments are akin to going down the beach and kicking over sandcastles that kids have had fun making. Meanwhile, the tone and content of your comments also suggests that because other sports aren't football, they aren't worth mentioning, or aren't 'iconic'. That's childish stuff, and misses the point of the article completely. As for your question about what sports Australia contests that have domestic and international appeal, I would suggest that all the examples I listed (bar rugby league, if you want to be harsh) fit that criteria: rugby union, basketball and cricket. And how much international appeal do you seriously think the Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup had? Do you really think anyone else in the world cared?! But I digress. And I'm disappointed at myself. I don't want you to kill my vibe! Have a read of the numerous other comments here. Everyone else 'gets' it, and everyone is happy to just relive a great memory, rather than try to bag other people's memories. Is that really the type of person you are? C'mon, I think not.
Scrubbit
Guest
My only regret was that I was only 10 and didn't recognise just how special the moment was. My mum and dad had split a couple years before and I'd gone to live with my dad for a year in Salt Lake City. He was always a major sports nut, and while he didn't love B-Ball he knew this would be his last chance to see the MJ bulls. I have no idea how he got the tickets (to be honest I'm not sure I want to know what he had to do for them) but we were about 20 rows back near centre court. As a 10 year old I was more interested in annoying home fans rather than watching the game (call it the QLDer in me) so a lot of it is fairly fuzzy in my mind, but I'll always remember the last minute of the game. When MJ made a driving layup the atmosphere changed dramatically, there was still noise in the air, but it had changed from a confident supporting rally to a nervous murmur so to speak. Then when Karl Malone tried to post up, and was then double teamed with the ball taken away by Jordan, people's heads just went straight down. The only noise you could hear were the away fans (of which I'd say there'd have Been around 100-200 max) screaming from the nosebleeds. Then up went that shot, up came the hands to cover the faces of nearly every Utah fan in the building. Some of the fans had already started leaving, not interested in watching Utah attempt a game winner. That last minute has always stuck with me, but I wish I had of been older at the time to truly appreciate the moment. Also I'm pretty sure Karl Malone was trying to start a fight after the game as well which I remember. I think a couple teammates had to hold him back.
kevin dustby
Guest
i was wondering how long it was going to take for one of the football brigade to come and try and pour cold water over other sports.
Bondy
Guest
Ryan It was an event that united the nation some will suggest like no other sport can if thats not nation defining than what is .. How many sports do we contest as Australians that genuinely have both domestic and international appeal ....
Jerry
Guest
Oh, remembered another one but this might only be familiar to one or two others on theroar - I was at Athletic Park on the day they decided it was a good idea to give away a banana to every attendee. Cue thousands of bananas being thrown off the top of the Millard.....
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I'm not sure of the 'international appeal' of Australia qualifying for the World Cup either . . . But I don't want to go there - it would defeat the purpose of this love-in!
Minz
Guest
Not exactly iconic, but my favourites: - Greatest comeback of all time in the AFL - Essendon over North Melbourne in 2001. Happened to be in Melbourne so popped down to the 'G to see whatever was on. As someone who doesn't support either team, it felt like Essendon was an 80-point better team and just gave the 'Roos a 69-point head start. But I can imagine it was pretty exciting for supporters, particularly Essendon supporters! - Australia beats NZ at the 'G (rugby), 2007. I have very fond memories of Adam Ashley-Cooper fending off both Chris Jack and Richie McCaw on his way to the tryline. Especially good since we went with Kiwis and were sitting in a patch of Kiwis.
Minz
Guest
The Violet Crumbles, eh? Those were the good old days of the NBL!
Minz
Guest
Didn't you answer your own question with "...Iconic moments in Australian sport.."? international appeal doesn't matter when Australian sport's the criteria!!