1989 Grand Final

[shiretiger]

I was at the 88 and 89 grand finals

Have never watched a replay of either

I didn't manage to get to either.

1988, had a huge BBQ at my house, 21 year old me cried when we lost.

1989, had my best mate (a fellow Tigers tragic), his GF (eventually his wife) and a girlfriend of hers over to watch the game.

Deep into the second half, the GF of the GF says "I hope the black man scores a try". The words had just left her mouth when Chicka Ferguson did what he did.

Was too stunned and numb to cry that time.

 

[tiger05premier]

I didn't manage to get to either.

1988, had a huge BBQ at my house, 21 year old me cried when we lost.

1989, had my best mate (a fellow Tigers tragic), his GF (eventually his wife) and a girlfriend of hers over to watch the game.

Deep into the second half, the GF of the GF says "I hope the black man scores a try". The words had just left her mouth when Chicka Ferguson did what he did.

Was too stunned and numb to cry that time.

Devastating mate

 

[Tiger_heart]

Did we (arguably) have the best pack ever?

 

[Buttface]

1989 was a great grand final.

I remember raucously cheering Canberra home (my Maggie’s unluckily missed the finals by just a dozen or so competition points that year).

Chika Ferguson stepping back inside a thousand defenders and then big Steve Jackson corkscrewing his way to the line - magic grand final moments

PS. Shouldnt this thread be moved to the designated Balmain folder 🤷‍♂️

One of mums assholes used to go for Balmain, I took great pleasure from this game.
Let’s just say I’ve mellowed since the merger.
Fek Canberra Faiders, I now hate them in solidarity with my Balmain Bros and Sisters. Fek you Faiders!!!!

Surely Harrigan was on the take, and the Wok has taken a bribe mid game to throw the fight.

There needs to be an investigation (thanks Toovs), and the trophy handed back to the Mighty Tigers!!!!

T4L. 😎

 

[Buttface]

I know its '88 but whoever thought parading a dead stuffed tiger was a good idea......

44K views · 338 reactions | 🐅 When Balmain's Tigerettes brought out a 'genuine proper stuffed tiger' onto the SFS before the '88 Grand Final v Canterbury-Bankstown. 📺 Canterbury v Balmain 🗓 Grand Final, 1988 #WinfieldCup | The Winfield Cup

🐅 When Balmain's Tigerettes brought out a 'genuine proper stuffed tiger' onto the SFS before the '88 Grand Final v Canterbury-Bankstown. 📺 Canterbury v Balmain 🗓 Grand Final, 1988 #WinfieldCup.

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That 80’s entertainment was hyper-colour black and gold.

So they were obviously talking about having a mascot and someone has gone “Let’s get a real Tiger! Ha ha” and someone else has gone “I have this weird uncle Kieth and he has a life size stuffed Tiger” and we all go “yeah kool, let’s do it”

I wish I was there for that convo.

We should get him back and stuff a magpie too. We need something to scare the opposition.

 

[shiretiger]

Devastating mate

A day in the life of being a Tiger's fan

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

One of mums assholes used to go for Balmain, I took great pleasure from this game.
Let’s just say I’ve mellowed since the merger.
Fek Canberra Faiders, I now hate them in solidarity with my Balmain Bros and Sisters. Fek you Faiders!!!!

Surely Harrigan was on the take, and the Wok has taken a bribe mid game to throw the fight.

There needs to be an investigation (thanks Toovs), and the trophy handed back to the Mighty Tigers!!!!

T4L. 😎

Get in the queue.
Harrigan’s effort was 100% kosher in
comparison to Darcy Lawler’s
1963 Grand Final Rort

 

[jirskyr]

1988 I was 8 years old and there at the new SFS. I could cop the loss as Doggies were the best team all year, Balmain came from nowhere to reach that GF. It would have been interesting if Ellery was not taken out, because he was a constant threat all finals series and Balmain were becoming specialists at broken play as the match wore on.

But 1989 was supposed to be "the year", under the old adage that you first need to lose a GF to understand how to win one. We couldn't get tickets for '89.

Raiders had a slick team that actually got better after 1989, but Balmain had established rep players and old heads, a few young gems and comfortably moved through the Finals after beating Penrith then dismantling the minor premiers Souths.

As others have said, definitely one of those GFs where if Balmain had taken just one more of several opportunities, the match would have been won. By contrast, Raiders had few opportunities but they all came late and they were all taken - the spilt bomb, Daley's handoff to Chicka who cuts multiple times against tired defenders, the basic dominance of extra time via early field goal then that famous Steve Jackson try.

I was only 9 years old, I couldn't bring myself to watch extra time live and I never have since. I have seen footage but never sat through the whole thing. Heart-breaking at the time and ultimately even worse looking back, knowing that Balmain faded dramatically afterwards. Made the finals in 1990 but knocked out by Manly, then didn't play finals again until 2005 (and never again as Balmain).

Balmain were highly competitive in the 1980s but once those most famous players started to retire, Balmain dropped to the bottom of the pile, out of favour during the Super League war and leading to the merger.

The saving grace is for the 2005 Grand Final, Tigers instead took all the main chances and that's what broke the back of the Cowboys - the Gibbs try off a loose pass, the Marshall flick, the Laffranchi and Fitzhenry tries to keep the lead beyond a converted try.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I remember Big League back in around 04, sat some of the Balmain players down and watched this game with them for the GF addition. Some, if not most were watching it for the first time, and even 15 years later it was a tough watch. I’d imagine it still is today. Losing a GF is one thing, but how you lose is another. The Broncos giving up a 16 point lead is probably the best modern example on terrible ways to lose a GF,

 

[shiretiger]

1988 I was 8 years old and there at the new SFS. I could cop the loss as Doggies were the best team all year, Balmain came from nowhere to reach that GF. It would have been interesting if Ellery was not taken out, because he was a constant threat all finals series and Balmain were becoming specialists at broken play as the match wore on.

The crazy thing for me that year was that I was at my mums place for dinner for my sisters birthday early in August.

At the time my Sharkies mad step father was all cock a hoop about how well that they were going etc etc and that it was going to be glorious when they would win the GF.

I then boldly predicted the final five - correctly - and then told him and the rest of the gathering of how the finals would play out. I was correct about his Minor Premier Sharkies would bow out in straight sets and that the Tigers would be playing the Doggies in the GF.

The only prediction that I got wrong was the outcome of the GF.

 

[Halbrowne61]

But cheer up fellas - remember 1969 instead:


The 1969 Grand Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground is remembered as one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history.
South Sydney were the raging hot favourites. They’d won the last two premierships and were stacked with stars like Ron Coote, Bob McCarthy, John Sattler, and Eric Simms. Most expected the Rabbitohs to simply roll over Balmain.
But the Tigers had other ideas. Coached by Leo Nosworthy and captained by rugged forward Peter Provan, Balmain came with a plan: frustrate Souths, slow the play down, and take every chance on offer. They even perfected the old art of the “injury stoppage” — players going down to disrupt Souths’ momentum and reset the defensive line. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.
On the scoreboard, Balmain took their chances. Len Killeen, the big South African winger, booted crucial goals. Tries were scarce, defence was everything, and the Tigers clung to their lead as the clock ticked down.
At full time the scoreboard told the story: Balmain 11 – South Sydney 2. The Tigers had shocked the rugby league world, denying the might of the Rabbitohs their third straight premiership.
For Balmain fans it was sweet glory, their first title since 1947. For Souths, it was a bitter reminder that no matter how good you look on paper, Grand Finals are won on the day



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I was on the Paddington Hill right where Siddie Williams scored the try. ‘‘Twas a joyous day ! Now that is a memory .

 

[Merlot]

life was easy n free. No 2morrow,80 % of us were Balmain supporters .

 

[Red88_Tiger]

The crazy thing for me that year was that I was at my mums place for dinner for my sisters birthday early in August.

At the time my Sharkies mad step father was all cock a hoop about how well that they were going etc etc and that it was going to be glorious when they would win the GF.

I then boldly predicted the final five - correctly - and then told him and the rest of the gathering of how the finals would play out. I was correct about his Minor Premier Sharkies would bow out in straight sets and that the Tigers would be playing the Doggies in the GF.

Cash out man
Gamble responsibly
😂😂😂

The only prediction that I got wrong was the outcome of the GF.

 

[innsaneink]

I remember Big League back in around 04, sat some of the Balmain players down and watched this game with them for the GF addition. Some, if not most were watching it for the first time, and even 15 years later it was a tough watch. I’d imagine it still is today. Losing a GF is one thing, but how you lose is another. The Broncos giving up a 16 point lead is probably the best modern example on terrible ways to lose a GF,

Just at the pub tonite and 99 melb saints gf highlites was on...saints led 14-0 at one stage

 

[innsaneink]

Has Lamb ever said anything about this?
Pretty shitty go

14K views · 248 reactions | 📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's chances in the Grand Fina

📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's...

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[Merlot]

Has Lamb ever said anything about this?
Pretty shitty go

14K views · 248 reactions | 📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's chances in the Grand Fina

📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's...

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smart, that dog team wore nfl shoulder pads, that pushed all the pressure points of pain

 

[Halbrowne61]

Has Lamb ever said anything about this?
Pretty shitty go

14K views · 248 reactions | 📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's chances in the Grand Fina

📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's...

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Probably numerous times at subsequent reunions. The little Cheso gorilla would talk it up after his usual 15 schooners.
Great player but high tackle with one intent, some may say target the good players but he certainly ruined us that day.
Anyway it’s history now.

 

[bptiger 0]

Well watching the women’s game , it’s pretty boring , it’s worst than watching our team , just running one out .
The nrl , have given the girls the worst ref , Belinda sharp , and butler in the BOX , they are both useless

 

[Droppy05]

Has Lamb ever said anything about this?
Pretty shitty go

14K views · 248 reactions | 📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's chances in the Grand Fina

📺 Terry Lamb erases Ellery Hanley from the '88 Grand Final. Judge for yourself. Here's the vision from multiple angles. You've heard plenty of recollections of the high shot that ended Balmain's...

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Yesterday on 2 GB he acknowledged he knocked Ellery out. He apologised to him 20 years later. Ellery said it happened on the field and had no issues with it.

 

[Yossarian]

Went to the 89 GF, never watched the game again. Still haunts me to this day. 88 I was happy to make it to the GF. I’m a bit bitter all three officials missed the hit on Hanley. If Lamb got sent off it’s a much different game. Also no Blocker was a factor.