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?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Glad you cleared that up 2016 was not that great, for sharks fan im sure but for everybody else it was rather dull.
Breakfast
Guest
Confected finish required to save the game...
Tim Gore
Expert
In regard to Steve Jackson - no Myth. Minutes before a player slices the great Wayne Pearce down in a brutal tackle a Pearce drops the ball (Steve Jackson). Have a look at who contests the bomb before the tying Ferguson try (Steve Jackson). Have a look who is adding his considerable bulk to push Ferguson over the line and past Elias and Sironen (Steve Jackson). No myth, mostly missed though.
Tim Gore
Expert
McGuire took a tap instead of a play the ball as there was no marker. Steve Walters, who was trying to make marker in time but failed, put his arms up, signifying he would play no part. It is arguable that Harrigan could have penalized him. Bill decided that Walters was easy to get around. McGuire then chose to run directly behind Walters with his hand on him. When he got close to the defenders who were ready and waiting - Brad Clyde, Brent Todd, Glenn Lazarus (no slouches at tackling there) - he pushed Walters into their path, deliberately creating an obstruction or shepherd. It was a clear penalty. With 7 minutes to go Harrigan failed to give the Raiders an obvious penalty. Elias second field goal attempt famously hits the crossbar. Gary Freeman - still in front of Elias and in an offside position - then contests the ball illegally. No penalty. Instead the Tigers get the rest of a scrum. Further, go back and look at how Gary Freeman uses constant forearms to the faces of tackled players. He played a filthy game. About three or four should have incurred penalties, field possession and extra possession for the Raiders.. However, it's a matter of coulda shoulda woulda. Both sides got lucky calls/bounces. Both had calls and bounces that went against them. We remember the match because it was excellent from start to finish. It was fast and it was expansive. It was a shame there was a loser. That's what makes it the best. 1988 is stained by Lamb's hit on Hanley 1992 is only remembered because it was the Broncos first. The match was not great. 2014 was a blow out. Only a Souths fan ranks it. 1997 was a split comp. Arguably the Broncos and Sharks were better than both ARL sides. Although it was a great match. 1999 wasn't so much won as not won by St George. They blew it. 2015 had a cracking finish but in reality it was dull for 65 minutes of the game. The result stands The calls went both ways. The Currier bounce was one of the jammiest pieces of luck of all time. It changed the game. There was nothing on. The Grant try came from Brent Todd stupidity. It changed the game.
Lairdy
Guest
Sorry. Number 1 is actually 2015.
Lairdy
Guest
Not a bad list Bigj. Although, Renouf only scored 1 try in the 92' GF, and it was a penalty try in the 99' GF from a high shot on Craig Smith that ko'd him. I can only judge from the last 30 years. My list would read something like this: 1. 2016 2. 1997 (ARL) 3. 1989 4. 2001 5. 1992 6. 2005 7. 1998 8. 2006 9. 1991 10. 2009
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The 2016 was a little lacking in entertainment value the first hour of gameplay imo. Those last 20 or so minutes, especially the final minute, were something to get excited about though. what I wouldn't give to see a video of my sharks and storm supporter friends that went to the game during that last minute of action.
Bigj
Guest
Yeah there is an exception to every rule Barry. Remember emotions are always the enemy of true justice
The Barry
Roar Guru
You've railed against the 2016 grand final that it was boring and a snooze fest - because of the Storm's performance and now you're saying every grand final they're in is a cracker.
Maestro
Guest
Harrigan changed the game with Tigers leading and gave a penalty to Raiders for Elias? legally ducking around Raiders players - a joke and confected finish - Harrigan said it was against the spirit of the game which is laughable for a low penalty ref.
Maestro
Guest
"Strom in GF" ?? not a fan of the "Cheetahs" but a fan of their accountant...
BigJ
Roar Guru
love that fact that Storm is mentioned three times, you sure your not a storm fan?? But your are correct anytime the Strom are in a Grand FInal its going to be a cracker. win or lose.
Maestro
Guest
I and 6 were refereed by Cummins - 2 and 3 refereed by Harrigan. Number 5 (the week before the Howard govt changed the media ownership laws so Nine could sell to foreigners which occurred the next day) refereed by Simpkins that other entertainer and masters of the "big finish"
Albo
Guest
As Panthers fan, 1991 & 2003 are obviously the best Grand Finals for me. Outside of those two years , I would rate as the best Grand Finals : 1. 2015 - Cowboys v Broncos 2. 1989 - Raiders v Tigers 3. 1999 - Storm v Dragons 4. 1981 - Parramatta v Newtown 5. 2006 - Brisbane v Melbourne 6 2016 - Cronulla v Melbourne
Albo
Guest
The Tigers were gone when coach Ryan took the punt trying to close up shop in the 2nd half replacing his two key attacking weapons in Roach & Sirro, with a couple of lightweight tacklers & scrappers in Hardwick & Pobje. Once scores were level at fulltime, it was all over for the Tigers. The momentum had turned to the Raiders and the Tigers had no bullets left to fire to win the game all over again.
Bigj
Guest
Yeah you've never heard of that one before???
The Barry
Roar Guru
Emotions are always the enemy of true justice...?
Bigj
Guest
Well what's your list then??? Please educate me
Renegade
Roar Guru
But you did.... That's why your list is pointless.
BigJ
Roar Guru
sorry my bad just got that Apologies Barry, Azizi, its been a long day. Oingo bingo emotions are always the enemy of true justice, thank you your comments always give me a good laugh, when I can understand what the hell your are crapping on about.