On this day, Balmain stun Souths in a classic grand final, Brisbane win the Super League decider and Daryl Halligan produces some magic.
1952
Western Suburbs beat Souths 22-12 in a controversial grand final. Referee George Bishop makes two contentious decisions against hot favourites South Sydney and penalises them 15-4. Years later, Souths captain Jack Rayner says of the match: "We weren't allowed to win".
1969
Sid Williams secures Balmain upset
Balmain score arguably the greatest upset in grand final history by beating South Sydney 11-2 in the decider. The Tigers come under fire for their delaying tactics in the second half, but that mattered little to their delighted fans. The South Sydney side included the likes of Eric Simms, Bob McCarthy, John Sattler, Elwyn Walters, John O'Neill and John Sattler.
1975
Eastern Suburbs thrash St George 38-0 in the greatest whitewash in grand final history. Wearing a pair of new white football boots, St George fullback Graeme Langlands cuts a despairing figure after a pain-killing needle for a groin injury goes “wrong”.
1986
St George Illawarra club favourite Jason Nightingale was born. A premiership player in 2010, Nightingale played 266 matches for the Dragons before retiring in 2018. He also played 33 Test matches for New Zealand.
1997
Brisbane scores a 26-8 win over Cronulla in the first, and only, Super League grand final. Steve Renouf scores a hat-trick as the Broncos score a comfortable win.
1998
Canterbury qualify for the first grand final of the NRL era by beating Parramatta 32-20 in a thrilling spectacle decided in extra-time. Daryl Halligan kicks the greatest pressure goal of his career to send the match into extra time.
2008
A last-minute try to five-eighth Greg Inglis carries the Storm to a thrilling 16-14 win over Brisbane in a thrilling finals. The loss closes the door on Wayne Bennett's 21-year with the Broncos, the first of his two stints at the club.
2014
A golden point field goal to Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson puts an end to Manly’s season in a second semi-final thriller at Allianz Stadium. The Bulldogs benefit from an antiquated ruling that allows a scrum to be fed by the attacking team if the ball strikes the referee.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
