The 2000s were a great decade for me. I spent that time keeping fit, travelling the country, meeting my wife in 2004, having children and inexplicably joining the military to close out the decade in 2009. It was also a great decade for NRL grand finals.
As the Storm was stripped of titles in 2007 and 2009, I will not be considering them for my list. Unfortunately both of those finals would have ranked highly on my list, but, nonetheless, I present my top four naughties grand finals.
4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters, 2004
Despite being a good match, it’s one that leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. The Bulldogs were after some redemption after finishing with the 2002 wooden spoon due to the game’s first major salary cap scandal. The Roosters were searching for two grand final wins from three consecutive appearances. The Roosters took a 13-6 lead into the break on the back of tries to Chris Walker and Anthony Minichiello and a strange 31st-minute field goal from Brett Finch.
A resurgent second half performance by the Bulldogs saw them collect two early tries through Matt Utai and Hazem El Masri to lead 16-13 by the 53rd minute. The remaining 27 minutes would be heart attack material as both sides threatened to score but couldn’t quite get there.
The Bulldogs prevailed 16-13 to collect their eighth premiership.
3. Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys, 2005
For the first time since the 1999 decider, the grand final featured two sides looking for a maiden title. Underlying fan tension had plagued the joint venture since the Balmain Tigers, and Western Suburbs Magpies merged in 2000, and with good reason given the demise of the Northern Eagles, but by full-time supporters were as one.
Featuring what many believed to be a squad of ‘money-ball’ players that no one else wanted, the Tigers were written off by bookmakers early in the season. But, the guidance of master coach Tim Sheens and rising stars Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah mixed in with the brilliance of Scott Prince they had something going for them.
Their opponents, the North Queensland Cowboy, were also looking to make history with their first title. Halfback Johnathan Thurston was also looking for some personal history by winning consecutive titles with two different teams.
This match is best remembered for the famous Marshall flick pass that occurred just before half-time. After beating several players through pace and footwork, Marshall appeared to be headed into touch but produced a miracle flick pass to Pat Richards who would score a pivotal try.
Ultimately the Tigers would prevail 30-16 and celebrate with a million post-match interview curses.
2. Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters, 2003
This was the first all-Sydney grand final since Manly and St. George clashed in 1996.
Penrith were chasing their second title in their history, and the Roosters were looking to go back-to-back, a feat which had not been achieved since the Broncos’ 1992-93 consecutive premierships.
Ricky Stuart was looking to collect his second premiership as a coach in just the second year of his career. Veteran Panthers coach John Lang was aiming for his first ever top grade title, having worked as a first-grade coach since 1994.
Craig Gower’s Panthers were able to get out to an early led in the first half but shortly after the break the Roosters, led by Brad Fittler, tied things up and appeared to be getting on top. But when Roosters winger Todd Byrne began to streak away, a hero was born. Departing second rower Scott Sattler somehow managed to catch the winger and produce one of the best around-the-legs tackles ever seen to drag Byrne into touch.
That set about a vicious momentum swing and allowed the Panthers to collect two further tries to claim an 18-6 victory.
1. Brisbane v Melbourne
For the first time a Sydney team would not feature in the grand final not only that no NSW team would feature. It was Queensland against Victoria, and New South Welshmen hated it. This match also pitted master against apprentice, with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett facing off against his former assistant Craig Bellamy.
Both teams had taken turns in winning in the late 90s with the Broncos champs in 98 and Storm winning in 99. The Broncos had plenty of motivation in the form of attempting to keep their 100% grand final winning record intact and to send legendary prop Shane Webcke out as a winner. The Storm had a similar motivation in trying to send out Matt Geyer, the only remaining member of the premiership winning 1999 side, a winner.
The Broncos took the lead into half-time and on the back of a Darren Lockyer field goal and some favourable calls created and then kept a solid buffer to secure their first premiership since 2000 with a 15-8 win.
Do you agree with my list? What is your favourite grand final of the 2000s? For my next list, I’ll be doing a list of the best grand finals of all time.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I think that is pretty fair list, However I would have 2005 alot higher that was a better game then 2004 and 2008. 2008 was a once sided blow out and if any of the Storm grand finals hd to be erased from the record book it is this one, salary breaches or not suspending Camerson Smith was the biggest injustice of 2008.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I would have to agree with that statement as most of the GF since 04 to 09 always had some sort of controversy behind them, 04 the bulldogs off season dramas, 08 Storm not having a full strength team due to Cameron Smith's suspension and 06 and the grand final that Sydney never wanted to happen. This was a really hard list to acheive as most of the games where middle standard at best of the two stand out ones 07 and 09 did not count, but I stand by the list and thank you for reading.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
I had no stake in the 2009 GF at all and understand why it was removed but gee it was a cracking game to watch!
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Still a tough one that......
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Just honesty aye EJ. Cant evem see why you would mention any bias...
Lachlan Jeffery
Roar Guru
There wasn't a lot of quality grand finals in the 2000s. My list would be: 4. 2001 3. 2009 2. 2002 1. 2005
eagleJack
Roar Guru
2008. Daylight second. 2007 a distant last. No bias at all
Jimmmy
Guest
2005 aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Bigj
Guest
Would of got there if the eels won, nice to hear from you mat
Bigj
Guest
Fair list mate, I ready like the effort the the Tigers but in 2005 but feel panthers due to Scott Sattlers tackle was just that bit better, thanks for reading
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
2001, 2005, 2004, 2008, 2002, 2003, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009 in that order. 2005 is the first one I remember, that was the year I jumped on the Cowboys bandwagon and never got off. 2006 was the first I fully watched. But 2008 just blew me away (was it 8nil at half time) 01 was a real upset that eels team had attack all over the park.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Also, look at the match ups between these two teams. Mouth watering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NRL_Grand_Final
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Surprised not to see any love for the 2001 Grand Final. We almost got to see one of the all time great come backs.
Mike L
Guest
As a Broncos fan I would put forward a nomination for the 2000 GF (Broncos v Roosters) over the 2006 final. Whilst the Broncos won in 2006, it wasn't a very memorable game. 2005 was a great spectacle, as was 2001 If I was ranking them I would go: 5: 2004 4: 2001 3: 2000 2: 2003 1: 2005
bigJ
Guest
sorry that's 2003, not 2005.
bigJ
Guest
Yeah mate, unfortuanetly this list was the best of a bad bunch, 2008 I could not reallly include as its was a 40-0 flogging of the storm and not that great, for sure 07 and 09 were going to be my 1 and 2, but had to work with what i had. 2006 was some shocking calls in the broncos favour but still a good contest, maybe i should of included 2002 instead?? Really did not want to put in 2004 but it had an interesting finish so it made it, 2002 was a last twenty minute blow out, it really comes down to a opinion. Honeslty if i have included 07 and 09 the list would be; 2005 2006 2007 2009
KenW
Guest
re: your Portugal situation, I was in a similar situation for the 2008 game - I was on my honeymoon on a cruise ship off Mexico. No where to watch the game, ended up finding the score printed in the daily 1-sheet Aussie newsletter and thought 40-0 must have been a typo. Had to watch the replay when I got home a few weeks later before I truly believed! Also watched that 2004 game from a pub in Amsterdam, so that possibly is why I don't remember much exciting happening during the game itself...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought 2006 was a pretty dour grand final. From my one-eyed perspective 2004 was great. As KenW said, a lot of subtext to the game. The Roosters won in 2002 when the Dogs were kicked out. The next year the Dogs won the early round game that was billed as the 'grand final that should have been' but the Roosters beat the Dogs in the semis. The rivalry in those years was as intense as any with sniping between the players and unfortunately often trouble between fans. I also backed Mason for the Clive Churchill and had El Masri for last try scorer - although with his try scored 30 mins or so before the end of the game it was several hours before I realised I had got that up too. Putting a neutral fan hat on I'd rate the 2001 and 2003 grand finals 1 and 2. The 2005 grand final was the only GF I've missed as I was in Portugal and couldn't find anywhere to watch. I remember checking the winners of the semi finals in an internet facility for Portugeuse students and being surprised to say the least, as heading into the semis everyone was expecting a Dragons v Eels GF. I yelled out across the room to my wife "the Cowboys and Tigers are in the grand final, the Dragons and Eels lost!!" she had no idea was I was talking about let alone the locals... I've seen it since but I don't really have the magical memories of that game that others do. So I'll go : 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005.
Dutski
Roar Guru
No love for the Roosters, BigJ - naming two GFs they lost! How about the 2002 GF, with Freddie Fittler leading the Roosters to victory despite being opened up with a high shot followed by an "accidental" head clash from Richard Villasanti whilst sitting stunned and the penalty being blown. Stacey Jones had the Warriors in it for a while, but the Roosters weathered the onslaught and turned it on in the last 20 odd minutes, with 4 tries to blow the game open.
KenW
Guest
I would probably have dropped 2004 & 2006 - I get that both had a bit of sub-text, the salary cap & the novelty of no Sydney teams, but neither were particularly great games. With the 07 & 09 wins removed, I suppose picking 4 from the remaining 8 games means they won't all be classics. Still I would have replaced them with Newcastle's ambush of Parra in 2001 and probably Manly's win in 2008. By definition I guess thrashings aren't great games but even if you don't like Manly (count me in), it was memorable - the 'what-if?' situation of Smith's suspension, the record scoreline and Beaver crossing for a NRL retirement try.