With the NRL season wrapping up this weekend, it’s about time for a definitive ranking of the great rugby league grand final contests – that I’ve been to, at least.
Balmain versus Canberra in 1989? I’ve heard it’s good, but I can’t say I was there – or that I was even alive.
A penalty try to decide the 1999 season? Exciting, sure, but was I in the grandstand? No.
The 2015 grand final? I have no memory of any NRL grand final taking place that year, but I must assume the Broncos didn’t waste a whole season and derail the club’s next several years by missing one last tackle.
You can’t really experience the rush and atmosphere of a grand final if you’re not there yourself. So here it is, the final, conclusive and irrefutable ranking of rugby league’s big dances (for which I was in the crowd)!
6. 2017 Toowoomba Rugby League: Dalby Diehards 48 defeated Pittsworth Danes 4
Pittsworth were the defending premiers and put in a valiant effort to make it the season’s concluding encounter. However, on the day they were blown away by Dalby. You’d always rather a tight contest in a grand final, but you can’t dispute a team sealing their premiership with a demolition.
5. 2016 Queensland Cup: Burleigh Bears 26 defeated Redcliffe Dolphins 16
This was my first time at the Queensland Cup decider! It was back when they were held at the strangely desolate Lang Park with the crowd all on the western side of the stands. I don’t particularly have strong feelings about these teams, but I Burleigh well enough and it was good to see them get the win.
4. 2018 Toowoomba Rugby League: Valleys Roosters 24 defeated Wattles Warriors 22
This game was held at the Toowoomba Brothers ground, not Toowoomba’s main stadium, so the country appeal of local footy was even greater than usual. Valleys ran away with a lead, but Wattles clawed their way back in a real seesawing match. A golden reminder that some of the best footy you’ll see isn’t on TV but rather out there in your community.
3. 2019 Toowoomba Rugby League: Valleys Roosters 24 defeated Warwick Cowboys 16
A lot of Toowoomba content in this list, I’ll admit that. But in the Toowoomba Rugby League’s centenary year it was fitting that a foundation club came out on top. This match was also fitting of a grand final with exciting tries, solid defence and moments of magic. Valleys always felt on top and the final score reflected proceedings well.
2. 2016 Toowoomba Rugby League: Pittsworth Danes 18 defeated Warwick Cowboys 12
Not only was I present, but I was also lucky enough to film this game. Sometimes when filming footy you can’t really focus on what’s happening; you just follow the ball. But this match was edge-of-your-seat stuff, with the result still in doubt until the very final moments. Warwick put one last attacking raid down Pittsworth’s right edge but were bravely held out. Holding on for one last tackle with the grand final in the balance – what an idea!
1. 2007 NRL: Melbourne Storm 34 defeated Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8
My first and as yet only NRL grand final experience! What better way to start than with a Manly loss and a Melbourne win (even if it is part of the asterisk years). Greg Inglis, briefly a five-eighth but always a god, was in full flight this night. He glided across the field among mere mortals and the stadium hummed with electricity.
Bernie Vinson
Guest
2 of the greatest GFs were frauds. The 1989 GF with the ref getting Raiders back into game with bizarre penalty and the 2001 Newcastle v parramatta game the Knights led by heaps but ref (the Big H) gave all decisions to Parra in second half.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
I got stuck with tickets to Roosters v Manly 2013 GF. My worst nightmare as I took a gamble on the Rabbitohs making it (was one year to early). Anyway, as a neutral I really enjoyed this GF, discovered the Roosters have this hidden support (don't know where they disappear to?) but overall game, atmosphere etc was great.
Stormer
Guest
Get over it Tom G. We make the NRL better! Moreover, his article is basically a joke, all those TRL grand finals hes been to.
Lonnie Gilroy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Simon, appreciate it!
Lonnie Gilroy
Roar Rookie
Well said Nat! Very often the best footy is local footy. Thanks for reading.
Lonnie Gilroy
Roar Rookie
Yeah for sure mate. The part of the article was written jest, but you really can't take anything away from the Cowboys that night.
Lonnie Gilroy
Roar Rookie
I'm afraid it's the only NRL grand final I've been to, as my tongue-in-cheek rules decreed!
Simon
Guest
Hahaha i absolutely love this article. Thankyou
Nat
Roar Guru
If we are talking local footy Lonnie, I went to the PNG v Falcons GF at Suncorp. Earlier that year I went to Dolphin oval for my first Hunters game which was a cracker and ended in a draw. That game was essentially a baby Broncos team (featuring in the '16 GF team you highlighted) who came with the intent to belt the Hunters into submission. But as hard as they got hit, they bounced up and played on. No niggle, no agro just playing tough footy and the decent amount Hunters supporters gave the atmosphere plenty. I knew then this was a team I wanted to see more of. I mentioned the Redcliffe team was baby Broncos, the Falcons were baby Storm. How's this for a QRL team featuring Jerome Hughes, Ryley Jacks, Justin Olam (1st year away from the Hunters and has to play against them in the GF!!) Brandon Smith, Joe Stimpson, Tui Kamikamica and Scott Drinkwater. This team was very good. As expected the Falcons burst out of the blocks with 2 quick tries and the result looked inevitable. Then the Hunters started to play or defend more like it as the the Falcons kept coming but for no result. I think Boas (how he didn't make the QRL TOTY still blows my mind) scored their first. Then with a minute to go Boas with the grubber for Meninga (I think) under the sticks and the 12k (?) crowd lifted the roof of the joint. Grown PNG men and women in tears. Even the big fellas on the field were crying. It was pretty special. I really wished they showed up for the State Champs but I feel that was their GF and anything more was that important. Not saying they could've won, that Panthers team was pretty stacked as well but the amount of emotion on that day was hard not to get caught up. I could write another on the mighty Valleys Diehards 1st BRL premiership since readmission in '17, it's a bit more personal for me and, you know, it's always a good day when you can dust Redcliffe.
Nick
Roar Guru
Jeez...this is niche...how can anyone seriously engage in spirited debate on games perhaps only 6 people saw? On the topic of NRL grand finals 1. Melbourne v St George 1999. That had everything. Everything. 2. Cronulla v Melbourne 2016. That was tight, tough and physical. 3. Newcastle v Parramatta 2001. A game of two halves. 4. NQ v Brisbane 2015. Great game..but ruined by the fact golden point decided it. That wasn't fair. 5. Canterbury v Easts 2004. The two powerhouse clubs that should have met in 2002, and played a tight and tough match. The last 20 minutes was intense.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I guess you just had to be there , Lonnie ?
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
"I must assume the Broncos didn’t waste a whole season and derail the club’s next several years by missing one last tackle." That's certainly a brutal way of looking at things, but not entirely inaccurate. When you consider just how impeccable their defence had been during the game; especially during the last 20 minutes, the fact that the Cowboys managed to score a try on the last play of the game from 20 metres out, on the back of a shocking pass from dummy half no less, was pretty mind blowing. I count 6 missed tackles on that play alone.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
There’s only one I would consider -2016 ,the rest were average
Tom G
Roar Rookie
So the only NRL final you’ve nominated was illegitimate? Personally I much preferred 2008 when cheats didn’t win and the record book got a work out