BEST PRELIMINARY FINALS OF THE NRL ERA
1998: Bulldogs 32 bt Parramatta 20
Perhaps the most famous preliminary final of all. Parramatta looked destined to head to their first grand final in 14 years when they led Canterbury 18-2 with 11 minutes to go. Then madness kicked in. The Bulldogs scored three quick tries to level the scores with three minutes to go, and had a field goal just go under the crossbar that would have won the match on the siren. Eels winger Paul Carriage had the worst game of his life as the Bulldogs snuck in two more tries in extra time to win it by 12.
2000: Sydney Roosters 26 bt Newcastle 20
One of the greatest battles between Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler in their playing careers. Johns dominated the first half for Newcastle, scoring once and having a hand in two other tries to set up a 16-2 lead. But the Roosters scored three tries in five minutes – including a Fittler intercept off Johns – to take the lead in the second half and put them through to their first decider in 20 years.
2004: Sydney Roosters 19 bt North Queensland 16
Playing in their first ever finals series, perennial battlers North Queensland looked poised to pull off a massive boilover when they drew level at 10-10 with the Roosters midway through the second half. Both teams then exchanged tries – including a Cowboys one from a perfect Josh Hannay flick pass – to make it 16-16 with five minutes to play. But the Roosters scraped home on the back of a Brett Finch field goal and late penalty shot to qualify for their third straight grand final.
2006: Brisbane 37 bt Canterbury 20
Arguably Canterbury’s biggest ever collapse. Such was the dominance of the Bulldogs in the first half, forward Willie Mason is said to have chanted “we’re going to the grand final” as he walked up the tunnel at halftime with the score 20-6. That only served to motivate the Broncos after the break. By the hour mark Brisbane were in the lead, with three of their six second-half tries coming from long range to stun the Bulldogs.
2010: St George Illawarra 13 bt Wests Tigers 12
The Dragons only led for five minutes in the grand final qualifier but that was all that mattered. The Tigers led twice at 6-0 and 12-6, before scores remained level from the 50th minute to the 75th. Both teams had their chances to cross, but Jamie Soward proved the ice man as he slotted the match-winning field goal in front of more than 71,000 fans to keep the Dragons on course for the premiership.
