BIG LEAGUE moments...1895-2001

[G@v]

Rugby League is 106 years old, it has gone through many trials and tribulations, but has always managed to survive and thrill hundreds of thousands of fans each year for most of that period. What are the greatest things to have happened to this game, the greatest games,those single moment of magic, thoseevents onand off the field which changed the game forever. What are the defining momentsfor our sport?
My first choices all happened long before my time -

The famous meeting at the George Hotel in Huddersfield in August 1895.

The Third "Rorke's Drift" Test in 1914.....Great Pommie win!

1954, Challenge Cup Final replay at Odsal, witnessed by a world record crowd of over 102,000

 

[ozbash]

gav, is that 102k still a record?
i seen a picture of that game and what a crowd.!!

 

[G@v]

Tony, the Aussie's snatched the official record when they staged that first double header at SA. But the Odsal crowd was much more than the official 102,000. Thousands more gained entry without paying, I think they broke down fences to get in. My Dad was at the match and reckons it was probably at least 120k, I've even seen some comment that it was as high as 150k.

 

[legend]

My favourite moments in no particular order are:

Second test at Old Trafford in 1990.
S.O.O I in 1994
1989 Grand final
1998 semi between Parra and Canterbury

 

[Willow]

I think it was 107,000 at the 1999 G-Final at StadiumAustralia.Was the double header more than this? Anyway, I doubt very much if these crowds were larger than the official attendance.
It funny that official crowd figures used to be lower because of legal reasons once while nowadays , there is a tendancy to push up the crowd figures.
For example, the 1967 G-Final at the SCG was listed as being 78,000 but every one knew all sorts of laws were being broken with probably 90,000 being there.
I should imagine the same goes for Odsal. Awesome crowd.

Big League moments:
The1974 Test match when Graeme Langlands was recalled and he was chaired from the field after inspiring Australia to an Ashes victory.
And the 1979 Grand Final Replay won by St George over Parra, 22-0.

 

[Willow]

Oops. Got my dates wrong. the GFReplay was 1977 ofcourse. The first of many typos, I expect.

 

[legend]

Willow, the doubleheader had approx 104,000 so the 99 GF was bigger and is still the biggest league crowd in Australia and will stand unless they leave Stadium Oz at capacity(which they wont).

 

[imported_Rasputin]

the GFReplay was 1977 ofcourse
Bugger!!! Wish you hadn't mentioned that Willow,most heartbreaking game I've endured, at least that twit ref Cook never got another game after.

Best moments for me
3rd test 1962 (?) Aust v England at SCG when Irvine kicked a goal in dying moments to save us from a three nil mauling. That was the best England team I have seen. all class.

1981 GF Parra v Newtown winning ist premiership and burning down the old stand at Cumberland, never recovered for a week)

1970Aus v England test inBrisbane. Never seen a performance like Beetson put on that day.One of the toughest.

 

[Willow]

Rasputin: It's great to have you on board, mate.

All these years later and still blaming the ref??
It is still one of my greatest RL moments and it'll be hard to top. I feel very lucky to have been there.
22-0.... say it slowly...twenty-two-to-nil.

 

[imported_Rasputin]

All these years later and still blaming the ref??
It is what I do )

I still have a hard time talking to Rocketwithout getting the shakes, and no, I won't say it slowly, nor will Isay it quickly,in my mind it just didn't happen )Bloody thugs!!!!

 

[Willow]

That's interesting. When was the last time you talked to Rod Reddy?

 

[imported_Bigbopper]

The 1965 Grand Final between Saints and Souths was a great moment with that great crowd. The fans on the grandstand roof standing to attention for the national anthem was a highlight. A pretty good game as well.
Cheers
Bigbopper

 

[Willow]

Bip Bopper were you there?
Which one is you? )

 

[imported_Rasputin]

Willow, actually this morning, I see him quite often as you are aware he is now working with the eels. He is still reminding all of usof his brave feats that day, they get bigger and more horifficwith every dissertation )

 

[Willow]

Well I only ever saw him on the footy field. As a player, I can't hold him in high enough regard. Always seemed to be a fairly decent bloke as well but you know him, I don't.

 

[imported_Rasputin]

He is indeed a very decent and honourable, alsoone of the zaniest characters I have ever met, great sense of mishevious humour, but very serious and knowledgable about his footy. It's just that I'd like him a lot more if he hadn't beat the crap out of us in 77 )

 

[Hass]

How ironic is it now that Rod Reddy is on the Parramatta coaching staff. Some would say that it's almost blasphomous!

Cheers.

 

[imported_Rasputin]

Maybe so Hass, but hopefully he will pass on some of his renowned agression to one N Hindmarsh who really seems to have lost his way of late.

 

[imported_Mailman]

Favourite memories for me include:

1990 Second Test Old Trafford - Australia14 defGreat Britain 10
1995 World Cup - Australia against the odds
1988 GF - Canterbury 24 defBalmain 12
1991 GF - Penrith19 defCanberra 12
1994 Major Semi Final - Canterbury 19def Canberra 18
1995 GF - Canterbury19 defManly 4 (Baa's farewell, one of the happiest months of my life that finals series)
1995 Semi - Canterbury 12 defSt George 8
1995 Semi - Canterbury def Brisbane
1995 Semi - Canterbury25 defCanberra 6
1995 State of Origin Series - "Queenslander"
1997 GF - Newcastle 22 def Manly 16
1990 BRL GF - Valleys 17 def Norths 16
2000 QRL GF - Redcliffe 14 def Toowoomba 6
2001 State of Origin Series
And every Kangaroo Tour that I have seen and enjoyed - 1982, 1986 (T.Lamb sets tour record for 20 consecutive games), 1990, 1994