Like sports fans all around the world we’re missing the Monday ‘water cooler’ weekend sports wrap conversations. Who won, who lost, who was robbed, and who’ll make the finals. The commentary, and controversy, is as important as the game itself!

Fortunately, may broadcasters have gone back to the past to give us replays of classic matches across all codes. In many cases with new commentary.

Taking inspiration from those matches, we’ve gone back over all 21 NRL deciders that have taken place and had a crack at our Top 5. In that time there have been many great games with many games and moments etched in all of our memories.

Our Top 5 below, will take you back down memory lane and stir up a bit of old-fashioned controversy!

2001 – Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

Just a few years following on from the Knights 1st premiership win in 1997 under the competition’s predecessor the ARL, the pride of the Steel City were back competing for the premiership title once more. Coming out the gates firing, Newcastle found themselves with a 24-0 half time lead. Written off by all, Parramatta managed to edge their way back in contention with a gutsy 2nd half performance, only to fall short in the dying minutes.

Final Score

Newcastle Knights: 30
Parramatta Eels:24

2015 – North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos

Often considered the greatest NRL Grand Final of all time, it’s hard to argue. From critical drop ball blunders, to a try to tie the match in the 80th minute; gut-wrenching near converted kicks, all the way through to golden point extra time; it is apparent, that the 4th October 2015 will forever be imprinted in the NRL history books.

Final Score

North Queensland Cowboys 17
Brisbane Broncos 16

1999 – Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons

The great storm comeback. Down from a 14-0 deficit, Strom managed to rally in the 2nd half to bring the game within winning contention. This game ultimately came down to a controversial penalty try awarded to the Storm in the dying minutes of the game; securing them with the win, as well as their place within the history books for one of the greatest NRL Grand Final comebacks of all time.

Final Score

Melbourne Storm: 20
St George Illawarra Dragons: 18

2009 – Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels

2009 will forever go down as one of the most controversial grand finals in NRL history. The Parramatta Eels, who were previously in direct contention for the wooden spoon earlier on in the season, had gone on a fairy tale run home greatly influenced by their fullback, Jarryd Hayne, to land themselves in the 2009 NRL big dance. Their opponent, the ever-consistent Melbourne Storm. Although written off early in the game, Parramatta rallied to bring the game back to a single try deficit. All of Parramatta’s hopes were then quickly snuffed out with a Greg Inglis field goal to seal the deal for the Melbourne Storm.
The Storm were latter stripped of this premiership title following investigations into salary cap breaches.

Final Score

Melbourne Storm: 23
Parramatta Eels: 16

2005 – Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys

If fast paced, high scoring contests are more of your style, then this NRL finals matchup between the Tigers and Cowboys is the one for you. At the forefront of this match up was a class passage of play sparked by the razzle dazzle of vintage Benji Marshall. A flick pass behind his own back, placed Pat Richards in space to score a try, but not before Richards could deliver a fend that has since gone on to be one of the most notorious ‘don’t argue’ fends in footy history.

Final Score

West Tigers: 30
North Queensland Cowboys: 16