When golden point was introduced at the start of the 2003 season, few knew what to expect from the revolutionary rule change, but 100 games later, it's now become a celebrated rugby league tradition.
The Sea Eagles and Eels were the first teams thrust into sudden death on a dazzling Sunday afternoon in May, and 13 years later, Manly was there again, this time in Perth, to record their first extra-time win since the inaugural golden-point game all those years ago.
There have been some incredible games over the years with the 2008 under 20s grand final decided by an 88th-minute try to Canberra Raiders backrower Jarrad Kennedy, while it took 104 minutes for Wentworthville to win the NSW Cup decider earlier that day courtesy of a try to winger Iwi Hauraki.
Five NRL finals matches have gone to golden point, with the 2015 grand final decided by a Johnathan Thurston field goal, while the 2010 meeting between the Wests Tigers and Roosters remains the longest contest in history.
The Bulldogs have been the best-performed side over the years with eight wins from 11 attempts, while the Knights have managed just two victories from 12 matches.
Breaking it down, 57 of the 100 matches have been decided by a field goal, 21 by a try, nine by a penalty goal, and 13 have ended in draws – including three straight in 2009.
Wayne Bennett has featured in a record 18 golden points, but Matthew Elliott has the best record as coach with eight wins from 11 matches.
From a playing perspective, Chris Heighington and Frank Pritchard top the list with 16 appearances, with the latter joined by Luke Lewis on a record 10 wins.
To celebrate 100 golden-point thrillers, here's a look back at 10 of the best over the past 13 years.
Sea Eagles v Eels (2003)
It didn't take long for the golden point concept to be put to the test, with the Sea Eagles and Eels going to extra time in Round 10 of the 2003 season. There was no shortage of points at Brookvale Oval that day, with the teams scoring six tries apiece to eventually finish all square at 34-all. As the pioneers of golden point, the teams set the tone for what was to come with the previously all-out attack replaced by a territorial battle between the kickers.
It would take a moment of controversy in the 87th minute to separate the sides, with referee Steve Lyons awarding the Sea Eagles a penalty after it was ruled Eels winger Matt Petersen had recovered the ball in an offside position. Manly five-eighth Ben Walker stepped up with time ticking down to slot the first 'golden points' to become the original 'extra-time hero'.
Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers (2010)
2010 wasn't a great year for the Wests Tigers in golden point, with the joint-venture club losing both of its extra-time matches. Exactly four weeks before their finals demise to the Roosters, the Tigers were handed a heartbreaking loss with an enthralling 34-30 defeat at hands of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Tigers looked home and hosed with a 30-18 lead with 15 minutes to go, but two late tries to the Bunnies sent the game into golden point.
Both teams traded field goal attempts, with a combined seven misses forcing the game to the 90th minute. Having already scored a double on debut, Souths centre Dylan Farrell capped off his already unforgettable night with his third after Rhys Wesser and Shaune Corrigan combined to send him over as the siren sounded.
Broncos v Roosters (2015)
Was this the changing of the guard? The Roosters came into the game as competition favourites and were expected to make light work of a Broncos side brimming with potential. On a night that had the feel of something special in the air, Broncos halfback Ben Hunt scored a try but watched on as the Roosters raced out to an 18-12 lead late in the game. With time ticking down, the No.7 set up Alex Glenn for a late try before veteran Corey Parker added the extras to level the scores.
With the clock about to expire, the game looked destined for golden point, until James Maloney – who had earlier crossed for a try – struck a drop goal that looked the goods until it cannoned into the crossbar and back into the field of play. It was fitting, then, that the two playmakers would feature in the game-winning play, with Hunt ducking under the Roosters pivot before dummying past Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score a magical 85th-minute try to confirm many people's suspicions that the Broncos were genuine premiership threats.
Broncos v Storm (2003)
Brisbane's first foray into golden point was always going to be fun to watch. No one had been as against the concept of golden point as Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, and it took less than a season for his side to find itself in extra-time. A try at the death to winger Stuart Kelly sent the game into golden point, much to the chagrin of the master coach.
He needn't have worried, however, as a fresh-faced Corey Parker delivered what is now considered a customary offload to send Scott Minto on his way to the try line. Having outpaced Marcus Bai, the Broncos winger – and Bennett lookalike – leapt like a gazelle to evade rookie Storm fullback Billy Slater to leave Melbourne's Olympic Park with a rare victory. What was rarer still was Bennett's smile as he jokingly said "I love the golden point," after the match.
Raiders v Tigers (2006)
For the first time in golden point history, the same two teams went into extra time twice in the same season. It has happened once since (Raiders and Knights this year) but the trendsetters were Canberra and the Wests Tigers a decade ago. Played on Sundays separated by just four weeks, the sides produced some great footy in both games but simply couldn't be separated after 80 minutes. Incredibly, both games were locked at 12-all at half-time, with the scores finishing 18-all on both occasions.
Their first meeting in Round 19 was decided by a Clinton Schifcofske penalty goal after Todd Payten was ruled to have stripped the ball in a two-man tackle despite a defender appearing to fall off. Their second meeting – played at Campbelltown Oval – looked destined to finish all-square after 90 minutes, until Todd Carney stepped up in the final few seconds to drill a 40-metre field goal that barely got off the ground.
Rabbitohs v Roosters (2011)
On the surface, this game probably doesn't make the top 10. But when you throw in what had happened only two hours later, this 'Super Saturday' clash deserves a mention. Rugby league celebrated Rivalry Round in the 19th week of the season with a clash between the game's oldest foes, and the Rabbitohs and Roosters delivered a classic at ANZ Stadium. Down 20-14 in the final 10 minutes, Souths turned to their marquee signing Greg Inglis for inspiration, with the new recruit forcing his way over late in the game to level the scores. Having converted the try to send the game into overtime, Souths halfback Chris Sandow then turned hero in the 87th minute, slotting a booming field goal from halfway that barely scraped over the crossbar to seal a famous win.
What made the game extra special was the fact the Panthers and Eels went to golden point later that night in what was Nathan Hindmarsh's 300th game in the NRL. Down 22-16 with the siren about to sound, the Panthers were given one last chance to salvage a draw, and they didn't disappoint. The ball sailed through seven sets of hands before ending up with Michael Jennings who stopped, propped and grubbered for Lachlan Coote to dive over. With momentum on their side, it was a matter of when, not if they would win, and in the first minute of the second period of golden point, Luke Walsh knocked over a close-range one-pointer to steal the 23-22 win.
Storm v Sea Eagles (2014)
By this stage of his career, Storm skipper Cameron Smith had achieved everything there was to do in the game. He'd won premierships, State of Origin series and a World Cup. He'd been named Dally M Medallist, he'd skippered his club, state and country, and was widely regarded as the best player in the world. But in his 262nd NRL game, Smith could finally say that he'd kicked a field goal, and what a field goal it was. With Cooper Cronk out through injury, the Storm headed into their 2014 season opener with Ben Roberts and Ben Hampton in the halves.
In atrocious conditions away to their fiercest rivals, Melbourne found themselves down 20-0 late in the first half. But an incredible momentum swing saw them score 22 unanswered points to take the lead, before a Jamie Lyon penalty goal sent the game into sudden death. Having seen his halfback do it for the previous eight years, Smith stepped up into the unfamiliar role of first receiver from 22 metres out and knocked over the game-winner in the 85th minute to steal an unlikely win at Brookvale Oval to preserve Melbourne's remarkable Round One record.
Broncos v Dragons (2011)
There's a reason why Darren Lockyer is regarded as the game's next Immortal. Few can rival his poise and vision at the clutch, but it's his courage that stands him apart from most halves. The Broncos five-eighth ran onto Suncorp Stadium for the final time against the Dragons in Week Two of the 2011 finals series, and left the Cauldron a hero, albeit a hero with a fractured cheekbone after collecting a stray knee from teammate Gerard Beale.
The injury should have derailed Brisbane's chances of progressing to the preliminary final, and when Darius Boyd strolled over for a 78th-minute try, the Red V looked set to march on with momentum at their backs. But Lockyer wasn't going to farewell the NRL a broken man, instead stepping up to drill a bullet-like field goal in the 82nd minute to send his side into the grand final qualifier.
Cowboys v Broncos (2015)
It was only going to be a matter of time until a grand final went beyond the realms of 80 minutes, and 12 years after it was introduced, golden point came into play in the final game of the 2015 season. It was a night that had it all; long-range tries, props barging over, huge hits in defence, and of course, late drama. Down 16-12 in the dying seconds, the Cowboys turned to Johnathan Thurston for something special, and despite receiving a horrible pass, the star halfback delivered.
After evading the initial rush of defence, JT took time that no one else could have had to survey his options, opting to go long to halves partner Michael Morgan. The rest, as they say, is history, as Kyle Feldt strolled over in the right corner before Thurston's conversion slammed into the upright to send the game into golden point. Any notion of a prolonged extra time were put to bed as Ben Hunt fumbled the kick-off, allowing the game's premier playmaker the chance to win his side their elusive premiership. He didn't disappoint, slotting a 20-metre field goal in the 83rd minute to end the most dramatic grand final in rugby league history. Testament to both teams, their next two meetings were both decided by a point, including a golden-point thriller in Round 4.
Roosters v Tigers (2010)
If you were to have a snap poll across the office searching for the best game of rugby league ever played, this one would certainly get a mention. From Simon Dwyer's monster shot on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to Braith Anasta's miracle 80th-minute field goal, this game had everything.
Leading 15-2 after an hour, the Tigers looked poised to coast into Week Two of the finals until the Roosters stormed back to send the game into golden point for the first time in NRL finals history with a freakish final-minute play. From there, the teams traded missed opportunities, until Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall intercepted a Liam Fulton pass in the 100th minute before running 65 metres to end what many will say was one of the all-time great contests.
Golden Point records
|
Games |
Wins |
Losses |
Draws |
Win% |
Canterbury |
11 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
72.7 |
Canberra |
12 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
58.3 |
Brisbane |
14 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
57.1 |
Penrith |
14 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
57.1 |
Melbourne |
9 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
55.6 |
Cronulla |
17 |
9 |
7 |
1 |
52.9 |
North Queensland |
14 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
50.0 |
South Sydney |
15 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
46.7 |
Gold Coast |
11 |
5 |
6 |
- |
45.5 |
Sydney Roosters |
10 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
40.0 |
Warriors |
12 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
33.3 |
St George Illawarra |
13 |
4 |
8 |
1 |
30.8 |
Manly |
7 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
28.6 |
Wests Tigers |
16 |
4 |
12 |
- |
25.0 |
Parramatta |
13 |
3 |
8 |
2 |
23.1 |
Newcastle |
12 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
16.7 |
Most Golden Point Games 2003-16
Chris Heighington 16
Frank Pritchard 16
Luke Lewis 15
Benji Marshall 14
Isaac De Gois 14
Most Golden Point Wins 2003-16
Frank Pritchard 10
Luke Lewis 10
Greg Eastwood 9
Sam Perrett 9
Michael Ennis 9
Most Golden Point Games By Coach
Wayne Bennett 18
Tim Sheens 13
Matthew Elliott 11
Ricky Stuart 11
Craig Bellamy 9
Most Golden Point Wins by Coach
Matthew Elliott 8
Wayne Bennett 6
Des Hasler 6
Ricky Stuart 5
Craig Bellamy 5
John Lang 5
Most winning plays in golden point
Player |
F/Goal |
Pen Goal |
Total |
Cooper Cronk |
3 |
- |
3 |
Trent Hodkinson |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Chris Sandow |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Clinton Schifcofske |
2 |
1 |
3 |
This article first appeared on NRL.com
