They say we should use this time to learn something new – so we thought we’d offer up a history lesson free of charge!
We’re going to be recapping all the important sporting moments each and every day on the Ladbrokes Blog.
So if it’s AFL, NRL, Basketball, Cricket, Golf or even Wrestling, be sure to return each morning as we take a trip back through the history books to relive some of the great and important sporting moments in This Day In Sport!
1989 – Raiders v Tigers All-Time Classic
The Canberra Raiders and Balmain Tigers fought out one of the greatest and most dramatic Grand Final’s in Rugby League history on this day 31 years ago.
Both clubs were led by their all-time greats with Mel Meniga leading the Raiders and Wayne Pearce the Tigers skipper, while both men had achieved plenty they were still in search for the ultimate prize – a premiership.
The likes of Steve “Blocker” Roach and Paul Sironen dominated for Balmain and the Tigers found themselves 12-2 at half-time, despite the Raiders best efforts.
In the second half, a try to John Ferguson for the Raiders narrows the score to 12-8 but a penalty awared to the Tigers extends their lead.
Balmain had their chance to put the game away via Nick Neill, ankle tapped from a desperate Mal Meninga and Wayne Pearce dropped the ball with the line wide open.
With the Tigers infront 14-8, Benny Elias attempted a field goal but it hits the crossbar.
With minutes just remaining in the game, John Fergson scrambles over the corner for a try and Mel Meninga converts, the scores are level and the game goes into extra time.
A drop goal from Chris Sullivan, early into extra time gives the Raiders the lead for the first time before prop Steve Jackson scores one of the greatest Grand Final tries to secure victory for the Canberra Raiders – the clubs very first premiership.
1977 – Pies & North Draw in Grand Final!
108,224 patrons at the MCG along with a live television audience into Melbourne for the very first time witnessed Collngwood and North Melbourne fight out a draw in the 1977 VFL Grand Final.
At three-quarter-time, Collingwood were 27 points up mostly due to North Melbourne’s innacurate kicking which saw them kick 13 successive behinds from the 24 minutes mark of the first quarter.
Somehow, the Kangaroos didn’t kick a goal in the second and third quarters yet were still in the amtch.
North Melbourne charged home in the final quarter, kicking five unanswered goals.
In the dying minutes of the game, two goals to North’s Phil Baker gave the Kangaroos the lead but they couldn’t hold on as Collingwood’s Ross “Twiggy” Dunne marked directly infront, kicked the goal and leveled the scores for Collingwood with just 40 seconds remaining.
The scores were tied at the final siren: North Melbourne 9-22 (76) – Collingwood 10-16 (76), they would have to face eachother the following week in a Grand Final replay.
Coincidentally, on the same day, the NSWRL Grand Final replay was held between St George and Parramatta – making 1977 the only year in which both codes of football in Australia had drawn Grand Finals.