A week ago America trailed New Zealand 8-1 in the 162nd instalment of the America’s Cup. In incredible fashion, America stormed home, winning eight races in a row to take the cup.
As a tribute to Oracle Team USA, we will look at some great comebacks in sport.
AFL
Essendon versus North Melbourne, Round 16 2001
In arguably one of the greatest matches ever played, the Bombers were able to come back and secure a 12 point victory after conceding an amazing 12 goals in the first quarter.
At one point in the second quarter, the Bombers trailed by 69 points!
Essendon’s win set a new record for the greatest comeback in AFL history, breaking Hawthorn’s record of coming back from a 63-point deficit to beat St Kilda by 13 points in Round 12, 1999.
It was also the highest aggregate score of two teams playing since 1993; Matthew Lloyd finished with nine goals and Corey McKernan booted five for the Kangaroos.
Final score: Essendon 27.9.171 to the Kangaroos’ 25.9.159
Sydney versus Geelong, semi-final 2005
The Swans were down by four goals with eight minutes remaining in their semi-final against Geelong at the SCG.
The Swans had made a habit of being able to win games they shouldn’t have, but they looked dead and buried in this one.
Enter Nick Davis, who had hardly had his name called all night, but what a stunning arrival he made.
First a magical snap, then six minutes later another, and with three minutes to play he goaled again and the Swans were starting to believe they could win it.
But what happened next no one saw coming…
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYw2qGgQRQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlgYw2qGgQRQ
With that the Swans went on to beat St Kilda and then defeat West Coast in the grand final, ending the longest premiership drought in AFL history.
Final score: Sydney 7.14.58 to Geelong’s 7.11.53
Honourable mention: 1971 VFL grand final, where Hawthorn erased a 20-point three quarter time deficit to win the match.
NRL
Cowboys versus Panthers, 29th May 1998
The Panthers looked comfortable, holding a 26 point lead at half time, but not even a Ricky Stuart team could be as diabolical as what happened in the second half.
The Cowboys piled on 36 points to 2 in the second half to run out eight point victors and break the record for the largest comeback in NRL history.
Ironically, the Panthers share the record after they came back and beat the Warriors by the same margin in 2009.
Final score: Cowboys 36, Panthers 28
Honourable mention: St George Illawarra Dragons came from 34–10 down after 57 minutes to win 36–34 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on 29 August, 2004 at Oki Jubilee Stadium.
Rugby union
Leinster versus Northampton, 2011 Heineken Cup final
Northampton managed to dominate the first half and were up 22–6.
In an incredible comeback, Leinster scored 27 points in the second half and managed to keep Northampton scoreless.
Some Leinster fans refer to this as ‘the miracle of Cardiff’, referencing Liverpool’s 2005 UEFA Champions League final win.
Jonathan Sexton was named man of the match.
Final score: Leinster 33 to Northampton’s 22
Football
Brisbane Roar versus Central Coast Mariners, 2010/11 A-League grand final
In arguably one of the best grand finals in Australian sporting history, the Brisbane Roar managed to win on penalties after a heart-stopping second period of extra time.
Both sides had their chances in the first 90 minutes, however neither team was able to break the deadlock. In extra time the Mariners were placed under enormous pressure early and were able to defend expertly.
This led to the opening goal of the match, scored by the Mariner Adam Kwasnik, and just seven minutes later Oliver Bozanic had the Mariners’ second and they appeared home and hosed.
In dramatic circumstances during the second half of extra time, the Roar were the ones pushing forward as they chased a goal that would give them hope.
Their reward came three minutes from full-time.
Roar captain, Matt McKay, lobbed a pass to Jean Carlos Solórzano, whose first time chest control gave him space he needed to find a pass to Thomas Broich, who set up Henrique to side-foot the ball into the Mariners’ goal.
Then in the 120th minute Broich’s corner found the head of Paartalu, which sent the game into extra time.
For those who haven’t seen it, it was a dramatic end to a great game.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SS49ue3vpQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSS49ue3v-pQ
Final score: Brisbane and Central Coast 2 all. Brisbane win 4-2 on penalties
Honourable mention: Liverpool come back from 3-0 down at halftime to draw the game 3-3 and go on to win the 2005 UEFA Champions League final 3-2 on penalties.
Other sports
Indiana Pacers versus New York Knicks, 1995 Eastern Conference semi-finals
Reggie Miller scored eight points in final 18.7 second to beat the Knicks in game one of Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The Pacers would go on to lose in the next round to Orlando.
Boston Red Sox versus New York Yankees, 2004 ALCS
The Red Sox overcame 3-0 series deficit to beat Yankees in the ALCS en route to the World Series.
Indianapolis Colts versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003
The Colts scored 21 points in the final five minutes of this Monday Night Football spectacular to knock off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35.
Losing 28-7 heading into the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning led the Colts back in vintage Manning fashion.
These are just some of the great sporting comebacks throughout history. What’s your favourite sporting comeback Roarers?
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