What the World Was Like Last Time Parramatta Won a Grand Final

What the World Was Like Last Time Parramatta Won a Grand Final

James Caughlin

This Sunday, the Parramatta Eels will attempt to end a 36 year rugby league grand final drought when they take on the Penrith Panthers in the 2022 NRL decider.

On that afternoon at the SCG, the Eels put in a dogged defensive effort to defeat Canterbury by a score of 4-2 thanks to a pair of penalty goals by Mick Cronin.

Quite a lot has changed in the world since then, and we here at Neds are feeling a bit nostalgic so we’re going to jump in the time machine and travel back to Sunday September 28 in 1986.

New South Wales Swept Queensland in Origin

History was made in the NRL’s representative games, with the Blues becoming the first team to record a 3-0 series sweep in State of Origin.

Eels halves duo Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling played in all three games and Eric Grothe Sr featured in the third fixture

On the other side of the equation was up and coming coach Wayne Bennett, he went on to bigger and better things.

Even Aussie Rules was Still Doing Origin

You might not be a fan of the game, but trust us, it was a belter of a game.

Victoria took on Western Australia at Subiaco Oval and the contest peaked with a classic conclusion as WA held off their eastern rivals by a mere three points.

Here’s the final few minutes.

Hawthorn Won the VFL Grand Final

Just like in the NSWRL, the minor premiers completed the double by taking out the Grand Final.

After losing to Carlton a fortnight prior in the Semi Final stage, the Hawks got through their Qualifying Final against Fitzroy and exacted their revenge on the Blues in front of over 100000 people at the MCG.

The Hawks wound up recording a 110-68 win with Gary Ayers claiming the Norm Smith Medal for the best on ground.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke took care of the official presentation on the day.

The Chicago Bears Were Super Bowl Champions

On the back of one of the best defences in NFL history, the Chicago Bears recorded a suffocating 46-10 victory of the New England Patriots earlier in the year.

While it officially came out in 1985, the Super Bowl Shuffle came to fruition in early 1986 and it is… something.

https://youtu.be/8O6GCHz7lMA

Unfortunately their reign would end after one season as the New York Giants won the title the following season.

Argentina “Won” the World Cup With a Helping Hand

Never far away from controversy, Diego Maradona had himself a tournament as he guided Argentina to its second World Cup victory.

They defeated West Germany 3-2 in the final but it was their Quarter Final against England that dominated the headlines.

We saw the best and worst of the little magician as he scored the highly controversial handball goal to go with what would later be voted as the “Goal of the Century” in the same match.

It also saw the popularisation of the Mexican Wave which should have disqualified Mexico from ever hosting a major sporting event again.

Boris Becker Won At Wimbledon

The German conquered London again, defending his title at the All England Club with a straight sets win over Ivan Lendl in the Final.

Becker went into the tournament as the fourth seed and he was in fine form throughout the fortnight, only dropping two sets.

Conversely, Lendl came into the final on the back of a pair of five set marathons and was no match for Becker.

Venus Topped the ARIA Chart

The British duo’s song “Venus” was in the midst of a seven week run on top of the charts down under.

It replaced Pappa Don’t Preach by Madonna and was eventually replaced by John Farnham’s anthem, You’re the Voice.

Crocodile Dundee Had Just Opened In US Cinemas

Nearly six months after it’s Australian release, Paul Hogan’s most famous role was able to reach American audiences.

For better or worse, we’re now permanently branded with some of those stereotypes from the movie.

Some of the better ones came up in this classic Simpsons episode.