Bring back John Fifita
First Grade
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Prompted to put this thread up by mention of the 1996 Season in the Rev V Jersey Thread, which some couldn’t really recall that well. I'm back on LU after a long time away so apologies in advance if something similar has been put up..
For me, 1996 was the most impressive, astonishing, and my favourite ever season for the Dragons I’ve witnessed. Many know we made the GF and lost to Manly 20-8, but it’s the season-backstory that still makes me well with Dragon pride. The fact we even got to the Grand Final was extraordinary.
What’s your favourite and why? Keen to hear your stories…
Here’s my rundown as to why 1996 is mine. Happy for my memory to be corrected on any of the below by history buffs out there.
I remember the '96GF well, watching it at Saints Leagues. The place was heaving. We were always going to be up against it facing that Manly side but we battled really hard in the first half and were right in the contest..
However then “that call” was made by Referee David Manson just before half-time. Rather than called held by the ref, Matthew Ridge gets up after being brought down by Nathan Brown and carries on up the field another 20 or so metres to a backpedalling Dragons defence who thought it a blatant tackle.. Manly then Score in the next tackle or two which then gave them momentum into half-time, leading 14-2. The Dragons fans in the club let out a mushroom cloud of anger at that call – me included.
While I’m not at all saying we’d have won the game if the call had gone the other way, it definitely took the opportunity away from us. No-one would have beaten that Manly side from 12 points down.
Who scored our try that day? None other than Nick Zisti! Wayne Bartrim two goals.
The other two things I remember about the 1996 GF..
When the Dragons ran out on the field at the start and during the Anthems, I spotted Anthony Mundine with tears running down his cheeks – so welled-up with pride and emotion, it meant so much to him to play for the Dragons in the decider (anyone remember him grabbing the emblem after his try against the bears in the semi..). I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I always remember him for that moment and will always be a Mundine fan for it.
Secondly is actually through the eyes of one of my mates, a huge Dragons fan who was at the game.. He’ll always claim…
“on a quiet day at the SFS, if you head to the southern-end seats and listen closely, you can hear the faint cry of “HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLDDD!!!!!!!” still echoing from my lungs in the 38th minute of that game..”
Yes we’ve won comps in different years which will always be well regarded (I was a pup in 77 & 79 and don't remember much, and of course 2010 stands right out), but for the sheer feat of 1996 – it’s my favourite.
For me, 1996 was the most impressive, astonishing, and my favourite ever season for the Dragons I’ve witnessed. Many know we made the GF and lost to Manly 20-8, but it’s the season-backstory that still makes me well with Dragon pride. The fact we even got to the Grand Final was extraordinary.
What’s your favourite and why? Keen to hear your stories…
Here’s my rundown as to why 1996 is mine. Happy for my memory to be corrected on any of the below by history buffs out there.
- 1995 and the beginning of 1996 was the "start" of the Superleague Schism.
- We lost our Coach - Rod Reddy – who abandoned the Dragons for Superleague (the Rams-to-be franchise)
- We lost our Major Sponsor - Akubra from memory?
- David Waite stepped in to coach us.
- Many Dragons SL signees stood down from playing in the early season games, Waite literally had to scramble whatever side together he could..
- Newmans Stepped in to Sponsor us (Newmans of Kogarah down Rocky Point Road! - who remembers hearing that song booming around Jubilee Oval at half-time as a bunch of Magnas & Colts drove slowly around the perimeter)
- We eventually got some SL Players back – but minus Gorden Tallis who stood down all season.
- After Round 12 we'd won 4, lost 7 (including 5 in a row between Rounds 6-10), and had a bye.
- At that stage we were 13th on the ladder.
- From our final 10 games we had 8 wins, a draw and 1 loss
- We finish 7th on the ladder
- In the semi finals we beat the Raiders, then the Roosters, then the Bears
- We face Manly in the Grand Final – who finished first in the regular season with only 4 losses all year.
- We lost 20-8 in the decider..
I remember the '96GF well, watching it at Saints Leagues. The place was heaving. We were always going to be up against it facing that Manly side but we battled really hard in the first half and were right in the contest..
However then “that call” was made by Referee David Manson just before half-time. Rather than called held by the ref, Matthew Ridge gets up after being brought down by Nathan Brown and carries on up the field another 20 or so metres to a backpedalling Dragons defence who thought it a blatant tackle.. Manly then Score in the next tackle or two which then gave them momentum into half-time, leading 14-2. The Dragons fans in the club let out a mushroom cloud of anger at that call – me included.
While I’m not at all saying we’d have won the game if the call had gone the other way, it definitely took the opportunity away from us. No-one would have beaten that Manly side from 12 points down.
Who scored our try that day? None other than Nick Zisti! Wayne Bartrim two goals.
The other two things I remember about the 1996 GF..
When the Dragons ran out on the field at the start and during the Anthems, I spotted Anthony Mundine with tears running down his cheeks – so welled-up with pride and emotion, it meant so much to him to play for the Dragons in the decider (anyone remember him grabbing the emblem after his try against the bears in the semi..). I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I always remember him for that moment and will always be a Mundine fan for it.
Secondly is actually through the eyes of one of my mates, a huge Dragons fan who was at the game.. He’ll always claim…
“on a quiet day at the SFS, if you head to the southern-end seats and listen closely, you can hear the faint cry of “HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLDDD!!!!!!!” still echoing from my lungs in the 38th minute of that game..”
Yes we’ve won comps in different years which will always be well regarded (I was a pup in 77 & 79 and don't remember much, and of course 2010 stands right out), but for the sheer feat of 1996 – it’s my favourite.
