Top five rugby league grand finals

1) 1989: Canberra Raiders 19 def. Balmain Tigers 14

Paul Sironen couldn't hide his disappoinment after the 1989 decider. (Getty Images)

Put simply, this decider was 80 minutes of drama and emotion ... a sense of crushed spirits and a never-say-die attitude.

Club icons Mal Meninga (Raiders) and Wayne Pearce (Tigers) led out their sides, both looking for the one thing that had eluded their illustrious careers, a premiership. One man came ever so close, remaining so far away, while the other sparked his legendary status in the sport.

With Balmain up 14-8 late in the second half, the Tigers managed to blow three golden opportunities to put the game to bed. First, Mick Neill was ankle-tapped by the never giving up Mal Meninga with the line in his sights. Then, of all people, captain Wayne Pearce dropped the ball with the try line begging. Finally, Ben Elias hit the crossbar with an attempted field goal that would've put the game out of reach for the Raiders.

With two minutes remaining, the Tigers' spirits were dampened after the Raiders managed to score a try through John Ferguson, before Captain Calm slotted in the equalising conversion to send the match into extra time. A Chris O’Sullivan drop goal gave the Raiders the lead for the first time in the extra period, which was then iced by Steve Jackson, who crossed over for the game-winning try, crushing the hopes and dreams of Balmain fans who had grown tired of waiting for their premiership-less run to end. After suffering a second-straight loss in the grand final, club legends Wayne Pearce, Peter Sironen, Steve Roach and Ben Elias never got to reach the promised land with their beloved club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGpfea1rN6c

2) 1997: Newcastle Knights 22 def. Manly Sea Eagles 16

After a dominate first-half performance by the Sea Eagles, led by Cliff Lyons' brilliance, Manly weren't able to continue the good form that saw them grab the early lead. Instead, an error-riddled Sea Eagles side allowed the Knights to gather momentum. Still ahead by six points with five minutes remaining, Andrew and Matthew Johns combined for Robbie O'Davis' second try. Then with just seven seconds left and hearts in mouths, future Immortal Andrew Johns waved his wand and found Darren Albert, who crossed the line to win the game ... and the Knights' first of two premierships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU2rXPUze4g

3) 1963: St George Dragons 8 def. Western Suburbs Magpies 3

The famous "Gladiators" image of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons. (Getty Images)

A then-record 69,806 people turned out for what would become the most iconic and controversial grand final of all time. Heavy rain turned the pitch into a mud cake; players becoming unrecognisable. St George five-eighth Bruce Pollard was that blinded by the mud, he couldn't pass or catch the ball, so he swapped places with Johnny Raper and played the second half at lock.

As iconic as the game remains in modern day rugby league circles, the match was ruined by controversy due to the performance of referee Darcy Lawler.

Lawler, the game's No.1 referee, had a reputation for gambling. Many players, journalists and fans believed the match was fixed after the questionable decisions that decided the game's fate. Lawler denied Wests a clear try, but awarded the Dragons a controversial one ... which ended up being the match-winner. The game ended with the Saints winning the penalty count 18-7. Darcy Lawler retired after the match.

It was St George's eighth consecutive title during their legendary 11-year haul. The win was their third-straight over Western Suburbs in the big dance.

What made the 63' decider so iconic was that photo taken after the match of rival captains Norm Provan and Arthur Summons, who congratulated their respective sides' efforts after an epic struggle in the mud. The theme of the little man being able to stand toe-to-toe with the big entity and the celebration of mutual respect etched its way into rugby league folklore. The photo came to be known as "The Gladiators" image. A bronze replica of that photo has been awarded to the best team in Australian rugby league since 1982.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Vm040qBnY

4) 1946: Balmain Tigers 13 def. St George Dragons 12

The 1946 decider pitted the two best sides of the season against each other. In what is considered another of the most controversial grand finals of all time, a series of dubious decisions by referee George Bishop saw Balmain claim the premiership. With a questionable disallowed try against St George, added to two Balmain tries which came off what appeared to be clear forward passes, Balmain held on to win their ninth title.

The Saints almost managed to steal the victory, but Ray Windwall failed to convert brother Jack's late try. Windwall managed to miss all four conversions that game, where just one would've given the Dragons their second-ever premiership.

The drama continued after the game, with Dragons forward Jim Hale and Balmain hooker Herb Gilbert Jr going toe to toe. Hale was then attacked by a spectator, which ensured an all-in brawl.

5) 2003: Penrith Panthers 18 def. Sydney Roosters 6

Six-all, 54 minutes in ... Roosters winger Todd Byrne sprints down the sideline. Try line beckoning, back to back premierships in sigh t... Oh how the story would've been told if Panthers legend Scott Sattler hadn't crushed the dreams of the men from Bondi.

In one of the most memorable moments in grand final history, Penrith second-rower Sattler managed to heroically sprint, dive, catch and put Roosters winger Byrne out over the line, which turned out to be one of the biggest momentum swings to date, too. Sattler's heroics spurred the men from the mountains to knock off their Eastern Suburbs counterparts and win the match through the performances of team-mates Luke Priddis and Luke Rooney.

Scott Sattler heroically tackling Todd Byrne. (Getty Images)