These Giant-Killings Are The Single Greatest Upsets In NRL History
Everyone loves an underdog story, right?
By Danielle Smith
Everyone loves an underdog victory - unless of course you were going for the favourite.
There have been many classic upsets over the years, and we have complied a list of what we believe are of 10 of the greatest upsets in rugby league history.
1991 - Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders Grand Final
Even though the Panthers were coming into this match as the minor premiers, The Raiders were expected to take the title, giving them their 3rd straight premierships in a row. The Panthers were still seeking their first.
While Penrith opened the scoring with a try from retiring captain Royce Simmons, Canberra seemed the stronger of the two sides, and went to the half time break leading 12-6.
The second half was a tough defensive battle, with no more points scores until Brad Izzard crossed for the Panthers with 11 minutes to go. With the conversion successful, the scores were locked at 12-12.
Greg Alexander kicked a field goal to see the Panthers lead by one, but it was a late try to first half hero Simmonds after Mark Geyer stormed onto to the ball from a short drop out from the Raiders, that secured their maiden premiership and a huge upset.
1995 - State of Origin Series
With many Queenslanders stars ineligible for selection due to the Super League ban, the team was made up with many youngsters who hardly had any club games under their belt.
The Maroons were given no chance to beat NSW, a team with the likes of the Johns brothers, Rod Wishart and Brad Fittler. And with legendary coach Phil Gould at the helm, Queensland had rookie coach and Footy Show joker Paul 'Fatty' Vautin to run the show.
The Blues were unbackable, and thought they had the Maroons covered in all departments. But they missed one - heart. With Billy Moore screaming that now infamous "Queenslander!" down the tunnel to psych up his teammates, the Maroons ran out there and gave it everything they had.
They played like they belonged - and won the series 3-0.
1997 - Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Grand Final
This was Manly's third grand final appearance in a row. Losing in 1995, they came back to take the title in 1996, and were expected to do the same in 1997 against a team who had never made a grand final before.
Everyone assumed you must lose a grand final to win one - I guess no one told the Knights that.
In still one of the most exciting grand finals to date, the Knights matched it with the Sea Eagles until the 79th minute - where Darren Albert crossed for that now legendary try while the siren rang, clinching the historic win for Newcastle 16-12.
1998 - Canterbury Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels Preliminary Final
It's always a classic match when these two archrivals meet, but this one was extra special.
With the Eels beating the minor premiers the Brisbane Broncos 15-10 in the previous week's semi-final, they became the clear favourites to take out the title.
And during this match against the Bulldogs, leading 18-2 in the 69th minute, it seemed they were well on their way to booking their spot in the following week's grand final.
But then - Kaboom!
Three quick tries from Canterbury, along with Darryl Halligan's golden boot, saw the scores tied 18 all at the end of the game.
Parramatta couldn't believe what had just happened and were forced into extra time. The Bulldogs kept the momentum going, winning the match 26-20 and stopping the Eels yet again from potential premiership glory.
1999 - St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks Preliminary Final
The Sharks were the minor premiers that year and were expected to book their spot in the big dance the following week.
Having won their previous five matches, they were tipped to easily beat the Dragons to guarantee a grand finals berth.
After taking an 8-0 lead at half time, it seemed a Cronulla win was inevitable.
But whatever was said in the Dragons sheds during the break must have worked, with the Red V scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half. Anthony Mundine scored 3 tries and helped guide his team to victory, breaking the hearts of the Sharks and their fans.
2001 - Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels Grand Final
The 2001 season belonged to Parramatta. They had scored the most points and the most tires during the regular season, taken out the minor premiership, and were once again favourites to go all the way.
But the Knights had other ideas, and after stomping all over the Eels to take the first half 24-0, the blue and gold army were in disbelief.
It was a valiant fight back by Parramatta, outscoring Newcastle 24-6 in the second half. But it was too late, the damage had already been done. The Knights won the premiership 30-24, and Eels were left shattered on the field trying to work out what the hell had just happened.
2008 - New Zealand Warriors vs Melbourne Storm 2008 Semi final
Many league fans have voted this as one of the greatest upsets ever.
In one of many games over the years that the Storm were supposed to easily win, the Warriors put on a show that surprised everyone, and became the first team in the NRL Era to finish 8th and beat the team that came 1st in the first week of the finals.
It was an even contest in the first half, with the teams going to the break 8-8.
With 12 minutes to go the scores were now locked at 14-14. A Greg Inglis field goal out the Storm in front, and that's where everyone thought that would stay.
In the 78th minute, big Manu Vatuvei made a storming run down the sideline, linked up with Michael Witt who sprinted over the line. He had a slight brain fart, taking longer than required to put the ball down, with Melbourne's Cameron Smith almost knocking the ball out of his hands.
Witt grounded it just in time, his coach Ivan Cleary put his heart back into his chest, the Warriors won the match and caused one of the greatest ever upsets.
2015 - North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos Grand Final
In the first ever all Queensland grand final, the Broncos were meant to topple their younger brother with ease.
Brisbane had won all six grand finals they had ever played in, while the Cowboys had lost in their only grand final appearance a decade earlier.
It was a real arm wrestle of a game, the Broncos only slightly in front 14-12 at half time.
With another tough half of footy, Brisbane was all but holding the trophy with the score 16-12 and 4 seconds left, when Kyle Feldt scores a miracle try in the corner to level the scores.
Despite missing the conversion to give the Cowboys the win, it would only be minutes later that Johnathan Thurston would kick the winning field goal in Golden Point, cementing their place in the history books and shattering the Broncos unbeaten record.
2016 - Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm Grand Final
The Storm were one of the most elite and successful clubs of the NRL era, they had won 4 premierships since their inception into the competition in 1999, (later the club would have two stripped away) and were now looking for their next title. The Sharks had been around for 50 years, still had an empty trophy cabinet, and it was expected to remain that way.
But this was finally Cronulla's time. In a hard-fought match, the Shark were leading 16-12 with only minutes on the clock. The Storm had an opportunity to score in the dying seconds, but desperate defence from the Sharks held them out, and the premiership was finally theirs.
Porch lights off.
2017 - Nth Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters Preliminary Final
With no Johnathan Thurston or Matt Scott, many expected the Roosters to steamroll straight over the Cowboys and book their spot in the following week's grand final against the Storm.
Nth Qld had other ideas.
With the Roosters leading 16-14 with 15 minutes left on the clock, it looked like the tri-colours would carry on with the win. That was until Cowboys flyer Kyle Feldt did what he does best - score a miraculous acrobatic try in the corner to give Nth Qld the lead.
In a very un-Roosters like manner, the chooks kicked the ball out on the full from the kick off (their second time in the match) and then momentum began to swing with the Cowboys.
Michael Morgan kicked a field goal in the final minutes of the game, and Scott Bolton crossed in the dying seconds, with Cowboys winning the game 29-16.
Featured Image Credit: NRL.comTopics: Upsets, Analysis, Rugby League, nrl, Australia
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