Finals live long in memory
EACH SATURDAY The Chronicle team talks about the big issues in sport locally, nationally and internationally.
Glen, Jason and Sean share some of their views in the hope it will generate some discussion among The Chronicle’s readership.
Tell us what you think about today’s topic by emailing jason.gibbs@thechronicle.com .au or send an SMS to 0437 875 203.
Today The Chronicle sports team is talking about their favourite grand finals.
JASON GIBBS: Nothing beats the 2010/11 A-League grand final for me.
If you are looking for an epic grand final template – this is your starting point in my book.
Brisbane and Central Coast fought tooth-and-nail in regulation time but the scorers were untroubled after 90 minutes. And then in extra time, all hope seemed lost for the Roar faithful.
Adam Kwasnik and Oliver Bozanic struck early, and the Mariners had established clear dominance.
The Roar would not be silenced, though, and with the clock ticking ever closer toward the end, the 50,000 strong crowd erupted.
With three minutes remaining, Henrique and Erik Paartalu drew the Roar level before the home side went on claim the title on penalties.
Watching the game after
work as I didn’t have Foxtel at home then, I remember dancing like a man possessed. My dad (a long-time Mariners fan) will probably remember this game differently though. GLEN McCULLOUGH:
This is an easy one. The 1996 Queensland Cup grand final between the mighty Toowoomba Clydesdales and Redcliffe Dolphins at Lang Park.
Who amongst the throng of Toowoombaites there that day could forget it.
We turned up in coach loads for what turned out to be an unbelievable day.
The Clydesdales had enjoyed a good season under coach Gary Lawrence, but we weren’t really expected to first roll Wests in the semi-final let along topple the silver-tale Redcliffe side — a powerful State League identity.
But our team of local players, boosted by the addition of imports (later to become honorary locals) Mick Jenkins (Newcastle) and Paul Sutton (South Sydney) pulled off a stunning upset.
The game had everything you’d hope for in a grand final, including a narrow nail-biting scoreline which made the victory when it finally fell our way all the sweeter.
What a win, what a day and what a memory which sadly will likely never be repeated.
I must make a special mention as well of the TRL grand final which I covered during the 1990s and early 2000s.
There was just something extra special about rugby league grand final day at Athletic Oval in September.
SEAN TEUMA: From a local level, last year’s TRL grand final between Wattles and Valleys is a standout.
It had everything, from a breakaway leader, through to a comeback, and finally a matchwinning try in the dying stages just to top it all off.
Usually deciders can have a bit of a reputation of not living up to the hype and turning out to be fizzers, but this was truly a classic.
Looking at more of a national level, two immediately spring to mind in the NRL, 2014 and 2015.
The former is from a Rabbitohs’ fans perspective.
No longer did I have to put up with digs from mates about Souths’ last premiership coming when Jesus was a kid.
I was confident the whole week leading up to it that they would towel the Bulldogs up, and while it took them about 50 or so minutes to get on top, that last half hour was some of the most satisfying football I’ve ever watched in my life.
Moving on to 2015, you couldn’t ask for a game with more drama.
I found myself cheering on the Broncos, and may have even had a multi or three riding on them.
It looked like they were home until that last try in the corner, then they were gone for all money when JT’s kick came curling back.
I can assure you I was the only one cheering when it hit the post.
Then the rest is history from the kick-off.
A tough result, but surely it goes down as one of the best ever NRL deciders.