THE 1983 Americas Cup, Michael Bevan’s heroics at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1996, Newcastle’s win over Manly in the ‘97 grand final and, on a broader scale, Reggie Miller the Knicks Killer.
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They’re all part of sporting folklore as producing some of the greatest comebacks sport has ever seen.
And while last Sunday’s 39-34 Bulldogs win over Orange City in the elimination semi-final of the 2016 Blowes Clothing Cup was played out on a far smaller stage, the drama of the script was just as captivating.
There’s little love lost between the Lions and the Dogs – that’s a fact. And while the old Hamson-Hooper rivalry is a thing of the past, neither side gives the other an inch. In any department.
Remarkably, the Bulldogs hadn’t beaten Orange City at Anna Ashwood Park since the 2010 finals series.
After a dominant opening 15 minutes to Sunday’s game from the hosts, Orange City skipped away to a 27-0 lead, scoring 19 of those points in a four-minute period that defied belief.
It was simply scintillating.
A period that everyone at the ground was pretty confident was going to propel the Lions into week two of the finals.
But the Bulldogs, and Izaak Breen, had other ideas.
On the back of a game Breen will likely remember for the rest of his days, the Bulldogs stormed home to draw level with a Kurt Weekes penalty in the 80th minutes, and incredibly the long-haired halfback-come-winger had a shot at nailing what would have been a game-wining penalty in injury time – he pushed it to the right of the uprights.
At 34-all in extra-time, Breen then set up Adam Plummer for the match-winner.
Scenes of pure jubilation, on-field and in the crowd, erupted all over Anne Ashwood Park.
I’m not sure how anyone else felt at the ground, but such was the momentum the Bulldogs had behind them, there was a sense of inevitability that the hosts would run down City.
Thirty-four second half points and another five in extra time to win, it was incredible to witness.
It’s the sort of stuff you’re only ever likely to see once at this level as a fan of club rugby, and for it happen in week one of the finals means the next three weeks has plenty to live up to.
I’ve not been witness to a side coming back from 27 points down to win anything before, so initially I thought my excitement was a little over the top.
There’s no harm in that though. Is there?
But as the ensuing days rolled on, the plaudits for the efforts of both teams continued to come, think and fast.
Orange City mentor Steve Hamson has been involved in rugby union for probably as long as I’ve been alive.
He’s been involved with the British and Irish Lions. He’s helped coach NSW Country sides. He’s won two premierships – back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 – at a Blowes Clothing Cup level.
He said he’s never seen anything like Sunday’s semi-final epic.
Bulldogs co-coach Brian Roberson boasts a vastly impressive knowledge of the game too. This is what he said after the win:
"It was not only one of the special moments in my coaching career, but also for the club - it was extra special.”
It’s a fair rap for a game of country rugby.
It’s a more than deserved one though.
Much like Newcastle against Manly after the Sea Eagles had thrashed the Knights in the opening week of the finals, or like Michael Bevan with the phenomenal batting talents of Glenn McGrath at the other end, when the Dogs were down by such a hefty margin, few gave them a chance at walking away victorious.
I can’t wait for the next three weeks of sport in the central west – but particularly the Blowes Clothing Cup.
Most predicted defending premiers Orange Emus would record back-to-back titles without breaking a sweat in 2016.
They’re the minor premiers with the best attack in the competition by a long way, so there’s not likely to be too many people waiver from the above train of thought.
But last Sunday’s pulsating semi-final should have at least planted a seed in a few people’s minds: anything can happen come September – that’s what makes sport such a great thing to be part of.