GRAND FINAL GREATNESS

BALMAIN TIGERS VS CANBERRA RAIDERS

SYDNEY FOOTBALL STADIUM: SEPTEMBER 24, 1989

Canberra’s quest for its maiden premiership, coupled with Balmain seeking its first title in 20 years and not wanting back-to-back grand final defeats, suggested the 1989 grand final would be eye-catching. Little did anyone know that it would be described as arguably the best ever rugby league grand final. It was intriguing enough that Balmain had come third and Canberra fourth, with minor premier Souths and the second-placed Penrith not managing any victories in the playoffs.

After Cronulla convincingly beat Brisbane in a play-off for fifth, the Tigers and Raiders were the only victorious teams in the remaining five finals before the decider. Balmain required two victories while Canberra needed to win three consecutive do-or-die matches, after winning its last five matches in the round-robin season. Canberra had eight players backing up from the 1987 decider, with Mal Meninga having replaced Dean Lance as captain while Tim Sheens had taken over as coach in 1988. Canberra’s John Ferguson