Jason Maher
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Fairly simple, what are your 5 favourite Grand Final matches and why?
For me (first Grand Final I watched was 1989):
1) 2010 - St. George Illawarra 32 d Sydney Roosters 8
This is to date the only time I've seen my team win (I grew up an Illawarra Steelers fan), so it's a bit of a no-brainer as #1. I loved the way we ran right over the top of them in the second half after being down 8-6 at half time. I loved Ben Hornby's amazing take when the Roosters looked likely to turn a stack of pressure into a bigger half time lead, a real captain's effort. I loved Dean Young pointing to the badge on his jersey after scoring (it was a dud call against the Roosters, but I'll take it). I loved Sowards two sideline conversions. I loved Nightingale getting clattered late by Minichello and not even caring. I loved Nathan Fien's dummy play for the last try. I loved the fact Morris was in. And I especially loved the flood of tears from Roosters fans afterwards. Perhaps tonight some of them might finally get over it.
2) 1991 - Penrith 19 d Canberra 12
Prior to Super League, I had a big soft spot for the Panthers. I'm also a distant relative of Royce Simmons and was a big fan of him as a player, so I thoroughly enjoyed his fairy tale two-try exit and a fairy tale first Premiership for the Panthers. Loved Roycie's "I'll have a beer with every one of youse" victory speech as well. Was a great game, and Penrith had to beat a very good team to finally win the big dance. And they earned it, with Canberra holding out wave after wave of Penrith attacks, before Brad Izzard finally cracked through. Then Scott Gale produced one of the great boneheaded Grand Final plays with a short dropout that went straight to Mark Geyer, who attracted a couple of defenders and put Simmons over for try #2. Then Alexander converted from the sideline to ice the cake.
3) 1989 - Canberra 19 d Balmain 14
I don't much like the green slime these days, but back then I liked them. Arguably the greatest Grand Final ever. Had everything - great tries, dodgy refereeing, fantastic defence, a great comeback, weird coaching decisions, and Benny Elias hitting the crossbar with what would have been the match winning field goal. And then extra time.
4) 1997 - Newcastle 22 d Manly 16
Another classic. A dominant Manly team that should have won 3 straight but only managed 1 of 3. A Newcastle team that was easy to like when their opponents were Manly. The real Grand Final, not that pretend touch footy one that the donkeys won (after rigging the comp to favour themselves). Possibly the greatest Grand Final play ever from Johns to Albert. Possibly the second greatest by MacDougall on Toovey (still hate the whiney little shit).
5) 2003 - Penrith 18 d Easts 6
For some reason, Minor Premiers Penrith were major underdogs against an admittedly impressive Roosters team. I couldn't understand it at the time. You don't win a Minor Premiership by being crap. The media ran a full silvertails vs fibros campaign in the week leading up, and I suspect most neutrals were on the Panthers bandwagon. A pretty decent game, and I think Luke Priddis and Craig Gower both played the best games of their careers. Of course, no-one will ever forget the chase and tackle by Scott Sattler on Todd Byrne.
For me (first Grand Final I watched was 1989):
1) 2010 - St. George Illawarra 32 d Sydney Roosters 8
This is to date the only time I've seen my team win (I grew up an Illawarra Steelers fan), so it's a bit of a no-brainer as #1. I loved the way we ran right over the top of them in the second half after being down 8-6 at half time. I loved Ben Hornby's amazing take when the Roosters looked likely to turn a stack of pressure into a bigger half time lead, a real captain's effort. I loved Dean Young pointing to the badge on his jersey after scoring (it was a dud call against the Roosters, but I'll take it). I loved Sowards two sideline conversions. I loved Nightingale getting clattered late by Minichello and not even caring. I loved Nathan Fien's dummy play for the last try. I loved the fact Morris was in. And I especially loved the flood of tears from Roosters fans afterwards. Perhaps tonight some of them might finally get over it.
2) 1991 - Penrith 19 d Canberra 12
Prior to Super League, I had a big soft spot for the Panthers. I'm also a distant relative of Royce Simmons and was a big fan of him as a player, so I thoroughly enjoyed his fairy tale two-try exit and a fairy tale first Premiership for the Panthers. Loved Roycie's "I'll have a beer with every one of youse" victory speech as well. Was a great game, and Penrith had to beat a very good team to finally win the big dance. And they earned it, with Canberra holding out wave after wave of Penrith attacks, before Brad Izzard finally cracked through. Then Scott Gale produced one of the great boneheaded Grand Final plays with a short dropout that went straight to Mark Geyer, who attracted a couple of defenders and put Simmons over for try #2. Then Alexander converted from the sideline to ice the cake.
3) 1989 - Canberra 19 d Balmain 14
I don't much like the green slime these days, but back then I liked them. Arguably the greatest Grand Final ever. Had everything - great tries, dodgy refereeing, fantastic defence, a great comeback, weird coaching decisions, and Benny Elias hitting the crossbar with what would have been the match winning field goal. And then extra time.
4) 1997 - Newcastle 22 d Manly 16
Another classic. A dominant Manly team that should have won 3 straight but only managed 1 of 3. A Newcastle team that was easy to like when their opponents were Manly. The real Grand Final, not that pretend touch footy one that the donkeys won (after rigging the comp to favour themselves). Possibly the greatest Grand Final play ever from Johns to Albert. Possibly the second greatest by MacDougall on Toovey (still hate the whiney little shit).
5) 2003 - Penrith 18 d Easts 6
For some reason, Minor Premiers Penrith were major underdogs against an admittedly impressive Roosters team. I couldn't understand it at the time. You don't win a Minor Premiership by being crap. The media ran a full silvertails vs fibros campaign in the week leading up, and I suspect most neutrals were on the Panthers bandwagon. A pretty decent game, and I think Luke Priddis and Craig Gower both played the best games of their careers. Of course, no-one will ever forget the chase and tackle by Scott Sattler on Todd Byrne.
