NSWRL Finals - 1989 Trivia Quiz

Answer: South Sydney

South Sydney finished on top of the competition ladder on 37 points, 5 clear of Penrith in second. Balmain finished third, Canberra fourth while Brisbane and Cronulla-Sutherland finished equal fifth. Cronulla beat Brisbane 38-14 in a mid-week play-off to secure the fifth and final spot in the finals.

Answer: True

The Sydney Football Stadium had become the new home for New South Wales rugby league in 1988 after playing for over 50 years at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In 1989, all finals games were once again played at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Answer: Andrew Ettingshausen

After three high-pressure games in seven days, the Cronulla outfit fell apart against a rampaging 'Green Machine'. Cronulla looked good during the first half, and ET scored the lone try in the second half, but three tries in eleven minutes by Canberra ended the game as a contest.

Answer: 6

An import from England, Currier was usually the difference for the Balmain Tigers. Balmain scored 3 tries (Grant, Brasher and Freeman) and Currier added six goals in their 24 points.

Answer: 27-18

In a see-sawing encounter, Canberra raced out to an early 10-2 lead with tries to Daley and 'Chicka' Ferguson. But Penrith replied with two tries of their own, to Brad Izzard and Van der Voort to lead 12-10. But Penrith then ran out of steam, and Canberra put on 17 points to put the game out of reach.

Answer: Balmain 10-6 Souths

With a week's rest, Souths were eager to crush the Tigers early on, and when winger Mavin crossed the line in only the 6th minute, Souths were confident. But Balmain were also eager for a second consecutive Grand Final appearance, with Grand and Sironen scoring tries to lead 10-6 at half-time. Balmain went on to win 20-10 in what was a brilliant semi-final.

Answer: Gary Belcher

Canberra beat Souths 32-16 in the Preliminary Final, ending Souths hopes for a re-match with Balmain, and putting Canberra into their second Grand Final.

Answer: True

Bill Harrigan was awarded with the toughest job in rugby league after excellent form during the regular season and semi-finals, beating out veteran Mick Stone for the job.

Answer: 40,500

Originally built with only 40,000 seats (capacity was reached for the 1988 Grand Final) another 500 seats were added for the 1989 Grand Final. Even more were added for 1990 and 1991 Grand Finals.

Answer: James Grant

The first try was scored in the 13th minute, with Grant intercepting a sloppy ball from Brent Todd. At ankle-height, Grant managed to latch onto the ball and sprint the 20 or so metres to put Balmain into the lead.

Answer: Second Row

'Big Siro' played most of career in the second row. During the grand final, his partners in the forward pack were:
Lock - Wayne Pearce
Second Row - Bruce McGuire, Paul Sironen
Props - Steve Edmed, Steve Roach
Hooker - Ben Elias

Answer: Fullback

Belcher spent his entire career in the no. 1 jumper. The backs that day were:
Fullback - Gary Belcher
Wings - Matthew Wood, John Ferguson
Centres - Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley
Five-eighth - Chris O'Sullivan
Half-back - Ricky Stuart

Answer: John Ferguson

Well past 35 years old by the time of the grand final, Ferguson was playing some of the best football of his career and this try broke the hearts of the Tigers supporters.

Answer: 19-14

Elias missed a vital field-goal before full time while Michael Neil and Wayne Pearce were both grassed short of the line, tries that would have wrapped up the grand final. Instead, O'Sullivan popped an easy field-goal in the first half of extra-time, while Jackson smashed through defender after defender to wrap up the game.

Answer: True

Although two teams had previously come from fourth or fifth spot - Souths in 1965 and Balmain in 1988 - neither had managed victory in the Grand Final. Canberra were the first to achieve victory from fourth spot, after a steamrolling September.