 Author: mitch_006
Timestamp:- 3/10/2009 10:08:42 PM
Subject: 10-1 Grand Final Howlers
Message:
On GF eve, some of the less mentioned GF moments that still haunt the individuals and teams invloved. Many will disagree but here is my take, only from 1980 onwards. feel free to add from any era...
10. Parramatta 1st half 2001. The Eels produce the worst half of their entire year to trail 24-0 at the break. After going into the match unbackable favourites. Eventually losing 30-24, incidently 24 remains the highest score by a losing side.
9. Nathan Brown & David Manson 1996. After kicking a penalty to make the score 8-2. Matthew Ridge tries an audacious short kick just 40 seconds short of the break. He catches Brown unaware and regathers the ball. Brown makes the 'tackle' or so many thought but Manson lets Ridge run a further 30 m. The combination of errors leads to a try and puts the game out of the Dragons reach before the break.
8. Anthony Mundine 1999. The "Man" hogs the ball in a 4 on 1 situation and spills it over the line. A simple pass to any one of the outside men and the Dragons would have been out of reach.
7. Jamie Ainscough 1999. As Craig Smith is scoring a try of a bomb in the corner of the field, Ainscough clobbers Smith and a penalty try is rightfully awarded inside the last 10 minutes. The kick instead of being from the corner is taken from right in front. Smith who was the goal kicker would have taken the shot from his bad side right on touch, but instead Geyer takes over and slots the easy attempt to make it 20-18. Melbourne hang on.
6. Terry Lamb 1986. In the first tryless grand final, Baa Baa misses a regulation kick with 2 minutes remaining that would have seen the scores tied at 4. He misses and the Eels hang on to win 4-2, Price and Cronin go out winners.
5. Mark Bugden 1986. After Lamb's missed kick, the Dogs make a long range break and are pulled up inches short. With 1 play left Mark Bugden runs from acting half and is met by the defence just yards out. Standing to his left was Turvey Mortimer and about 7 unmarked teammates all who were waiting to score the games only and winning try.
4. Mick Cronin 1984. Cronin misses an absolute sitter in the dying stages to level the scores. The Dogs of War regather ball, run back into the field of play and cling on 6-4.
AND THE TOP 3 ALL FROM THE BEST GRAND FINAL EVER SEEN 1989.
3. Warren Ryan. Wok replaces Balmain's two strike forwards in the 2nd half, Roach and Sironen. The game goes into extra time and the two sit helplessly on bench through it all.
2. Dave Courier. In extra time trailing 15-14 with over 5 minutes to go, Courier tries an outrageous grubber inside his own quarter. Canberra pick it up and score to seal match in ET.
1. Junior Pearce. The biggest howler since 1980 without doubt. Leading 14-8 in the dying stages Balmain are on the attack. The ball is spread wide and with a 4 on 1 overlap and a sure match winning try on offer, Junior takes a massive look and decks the pass. Pearce looks saved when Elias snaps a field goal, but the ball clatters into the cross bar and Canberra escape. The game eventually goes into extra time and the Tigers are beaten. The error ensures Pearce a legend of the game retires with a total of zero premiership medalllions.
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