Monday Milestone: Witt’s End
In the spirit of the finals, during September the Monday Milestone will examine some of the great moments in NRL finals history.
This Week in History:
2008, NRL Finals Week 1
For the first time in NRL Finals history, the eighth placed team defeats the minor premier as the New Zealand Warriors defeat the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park.
It had never been done before.
In the tenth season of the controversial McIntyre System, eighth had never beaten the minor premier, as the New Zealand Warriors travelled down to Olympic Park to take on the Melbourne Storm. As defending premiers, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Israel Folau and Billy Slater had been unstoppable and the ground in Melbourne had become something of a graveyard in Season 2008. Only Cronulla had returned from the trip south with the two points in round two, by a field goal.
So this was supposed to be a cakewalk for the Storm. I remember listening to this game on the radio, driving through country New South Wales where the reception was patchy at best. But the footy gods smiled on me when the crackle of the dodgy wireless sharpened and, I found uninterrupted reception with about twelve minutes to go. Greg Inglis had just potted a field goal to give Melbourne the lead, 15-14. Commentators were calling it a brave showing by this plucky Warriors side, but it was becoming evident they were about to succumb to the inevitable. The Storm were simply masters at just grinding these games out.
But then it happened.
As my radio crackled to life so did the game. 77 minutes gone. The Storm leading 15-14, eyeing off a home preliminary final. The Warriors worked it out from their own end. Second tackle, they spun it wide, chancing their fortunes. Why not? What was there to lose? Then Jerome Ropati got outside his man down the flank, offloading to Manu Vatuvei. The intensity lifted. The Beast found space, screaming down the left touchline. In my car I held my breath. Surely not? Over the halfway line. Over the forty. The Storm were scrambling. They were panicked, desperate to pull down the Vat. Unbelievable stuff. Ryan Hoffman and Billy Slater came across in cover defence while the Vat drew them both in and threw a one-armed ball back inside to Michael Witt with open paddock in front of him. Twenty metres out. Witt was in. He ran through and scored. Suddenly the Warriors were in front. 18-15.
As Michael Witt and Lance Hohaia embraced, Olympic Park was stunned. What a remarkable end to this match. How could this have happened? I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. In just a few brief moments, rugby league history was made. Witt’s try completed what still rates among the biggest upsets in finals history.
That year New Zealand would go on to the preliminary final losing onto to the eventual premiers, whilst the Storm despite their ascendancy all season, needed to make the grand final on the road, with knockout encounters in Brisbane and Sydney.
I remember this game well. But do you remember where you were that Sunday afternoon, when the Michael Witt try secured the Warriors place in NRL Finals history and showed that eighth was capable of beating first?
What a way to start the finals.
The Milestone Five: Upsets under the McIntyre System in NRL history.
5. 2000 – Parramatta Eels (7th) defeat Sydney Roosters (2nd) – 32-8
The Parramatta Eels provide the first big shock of the McIntyre System in the NRL when they defeat the highly fancied Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.
4. 2010 – Canberra Raiders (7th) defeat Penrith Panthers (2nd) – 24-22
The Canberra Raiders defy their low ranking by winning their sixth game in a row over the Panthers, who would be eliminated in straight sets the following week.
3. 2004 – North Queensland Cowboys (7th) defeat Canterbury Bulldogs (2nd) – 30-22
The fairytale Cowboys in their first finals series surprised everyone with this win against the second placed Bulldogs, then qualifying for the preliminary finals with a win over Brisbane.
2. 2008 – New Zealand Warriors (8th) defeat Melbourne Storm (1st) – 18-15
For the first time in NRL McIntyre System history, eighth placed beats first. They would go on to make the preliminary final.
1. 2009 Parramatta Eels (8th) defeat St George Illawarra Dragons (1st) – 25-12
The Eels go one better, and go on to make it all the way through to the Grand Final
With thanks to Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac for the picture.
