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So far I’ve taken you through the 1980’s, 90’s, 2000’s and the 2010’s to rank the best grand finals in each respective decade. Now, I’m ranking the best grand finals from the past forty years in one definitive list!
Here are your old mate bigJ’s top eight grand finals since 1980.
8. 1988, Bulldogs v Balmain
The Bulldogs were a dominant force in the eighties, collecting four premierships during the decade. Their final 80’s triumph over the Tigers was their best. The Bulldogs were calculated and brutal in this contest. Claiming a 24-12 victory, the match is memorable for Terry Lamb’s controversial tackle on Tigers star Ellery Hanley.
7. 1992, Brisbane Broncos v St. George Dragons
The Broncos secured their maiden premiership in brilliant fashion by hammering the Dragons 28-8. This one-sided affair featured one of the best grand final tries in living memory as Steve Renouf raced 90m to score his second of the afternoon.
6. 2005, West Tigers v Cowboys
A grand final full of young guns, this match, made the careers of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, and Johnathan Thurston. This game featured the famous Benji flick pass to Pat Richards try, which broke the spirits of the Cowboys. The Tigers ended up being comfortable winners, but it was intense viewing for the majority of the match.
5. 2014, South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Glory Glory to South Sydney! 43 years is a long time to wait, but South Sydney finally got there. It was one of the most hyped finals of all time, and it didn’t disappoint. Sam Burgess etched his name in history as Souths claimed their 21st title to cement their place as one of the most dominant teams ever.
4. 1997, Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles
Like a thief in the night, this match was stolen from Manly in the final seven seconds. Andrew John’s probing of a short side led to a gap opening for winger Darren Albert who scored perhaps the most famous grand final try of all time, winning the match for the Knights in the process.
3. 1999, Melbourne Storm v St. George Illawarra Dragons
The Storm reached the grand final in their second year in existence and the newly merged St. George Illawarra featured in their first grand final as a joint club, and boy what a cracker!
The Dragons raced to a 14-0 half time scoreline on the back of a scintillating sixty-metre effort from Nathan Blacklock. But in the second half, the storm rolled in as Melbourne piled on 20 points.
The famous penalty try to Craig Hall, following Jamie Ainscough’s in goal high tackle, allowed the Storm to claim an unlikely victory in front of a record crowd.
2. 2015, North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
A Queensland derby that did not disappoint. The sunshine state declared civil war as this one turned into a surprise belter for neutral fans. It was drama galore as the best grand final in 25 years featured twists and turns on it’s way to a golden point victory for the Cowboys.
1. 1989, Canberra Raiders v Balmain Tigers
The absolute best grand final of all time.
Incredible teams, featuring fantastic players with more memorable moments than you can poke a stick at. This match featured three of the best tries you’ll ever see and included an epic comeback by the Raiders who trailed 12-2 at halftime. From Benny Elias hitting the crossbar with a field goal to Steve Jackson beating five to win the match in extra time, there can be no debate that this is the greatest grand final to date.
Make sure to check out the individual decade rankings for a deeper look at some of these matches. Do you agree with my list? What is your favourite grand final of the last four decades?
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