Every NRL Grand Final always felt like history in the making as we watch greatness go against greatness. However, there are those special moments that make the finals even more historical.
From miraculous tries to last-minute field goals, we went through the NRL history books to come up with a list of unforgettable events that happened in the Grand Finals. Relive the NRL history with the items below.
1999 NRL Grand Final
It was a memorable event alone when the Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons, two of the newest clubs in the league, were the ones to conclude that year’s season. It was the Storm’s second year in the competition while it was the Dragons’ first year as a joint-venture club. The event also drew a world record crowd of 107,999 at Stadium Australia.
At the first half of the match, the Dragons were up 14-0 until an Anthony Mundine knock-on over the try line. It was a major turning point for Melbourne in the second half with the team running tries through Tony Martin and Ben Roarty and winger Craig Smith kicking two penalty goals.
Smith further boosted the Storm within four points of the Dragons at 18-14. In the 77th minute, a high tackle from Dragons centre Jamie Ainscough knocked out Smith. This granted the Storm with a penalty kick, drawing them level with the Dragons.
Subsequently, the Storm finally pulled ahead of the Dragons for the first time at 20-18 which made them win the match.
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2016 NRL Grand Final
It was a match between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks that was going to conclude the 2016 NRL season at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. It was a historic victory for the Sharks at 14-12 after their 49-year history.
However, the Sharks’ performance in the match was also worth noting in NRL history. The unforgettable moment happened quick but was packed with action and excitement. In 28 seconds of madness, there were nine passes and an offload from the ground that happened.
In the final seconds of the game, the Storm had a chance to steal the win from the Sharks with two to three genuine try-scoring opportunities. However, the Sharks managed to hold on to their defence. Ricky Leutele made a desperate tackle which secured the club’s first ever premiership, resulting in 80,000 Cronulla fans to erupt in cheers.
2003 NRL Grand Final
It was a David and Goliath kind of a story for the 2003 NRL Grand Final when minor premiers Penrith Panthers took on Sydney Roosters who were the defending champions as well as the second best side of the season.
With 27 minutes left on the clock, the score was locked at 6-6. What happened next was one of the most famous plays in grand final history. Twenty metres from the try-line, Panthers lock forward Scott Sattler tackled flying winger Todd Byrne who was on his way down the sideline.
In the 66th minute, the Panthers had made their way up in the lead at 12–6. Then, with 6 minutes remaining, the match ended at an 18-6 victory for the Panthers which was their first premiership in over a decade.