Top 10 Most Memorable Grand Finals - Number 9
February 21st 2011 09:31
Top 10 Most Memorable Grand Finals
Number 9
1973: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Newspaper journalists were alight the next day as Rugby League’s image was tarnished in the back pages. Ian Heads wrote in the Sunday Telegraph; ‘It was a Grand Final as tough and dirty as any bar-room brawl’. Meanwhile, former great Johnny Raper described it as ‘the most disgusting game I have seen.’
The violence saw not only the traditional punch-ups, but kneeing and kicking among other things and stemmed from a ‘softening-up’ period which dragged on for the entire first half. ‘When it kept going we were not backing off’ Cronulla second-rower Ken Maddison said after the game.
In only the first minute, Manly’s English import Malcolm Reilly fell victim to the ensuing violence that saw him requiring pain-killers for a badly bruised hip. Seeking revenge, he returned to the field and waged war on the Cronulla players before bowing out again at the 25th minute.
After a number of sickening brawls in only the first 40 minutes, referee Keith Page sort to reassert some law and order by calling in all 26 players for a mass warning. So bad was the animosity between the two teams though, he was forced to do it a second time as well.
Amongst the carnage and brutality though, Manly’s blonde haired destroyer, Bob Fulton stood tall and put on a demonstration of brilliant football, resulting in two spectacular tries. Both tries showcased Fulton’s power and pace and was the resulting difference between the two sides.
Despite crawling their way back in the latter stages of the second-half, Cronulla fell short of claiming their maiden Premiership. A rehearsed move in the final minute of play that was botched by the Sharks saw Manly claim their second title.
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