Adam Scott becomes first Aussie to win the US Masters (2013): The most recent entry on our list. Adam Scott, not to be confused with certain Parks and Recreation actors who would like us to stop making comparisons thank you very much, finally dispelled the curse when he became the first Aussie golfer to win the US Masters. The win, historic though it was, was as much about how he did it as the fact that it actually happened. The clincher, a four metre putt on the second of a sudden death playoff hole was pure class.
John Eales’ Bledisloe Cup Winning Kick (2000): It might lack an ounce of scientific credibility but the gravitational pull of a nation helped steer this one through we’re sure of it. The greatest moment in a career of great moments.
Allan Langer makes game winning comeback in game three of State of Origin series (2001): At the time Langer had pissed off to England to play for the Warrington Wolves and was only peripherally involved in Queensland’s up and down State of Origin campaign. With a deciding game three to take place in Brisbane, Maroons coach Wayne Bennett did the unthinkable and convinced the veteran Maroons champion to return for one last game in Brisbane. What followed will go down as one of the best sporting comebacks ever. The Blues had no answers as The Little Champ scored one try and had a hand in three others to lead a 40-14 rout of NSW and steer Queensland towards its 10th State of Origin series win.
Steven Bradbury wins speed skating gold (2002): See urban dictionary.
Catchy Freeman wins 400m final at Sydney Olympic Games
(2000): Before Jessica Ennis there was Cathy Freeman. Owned her home Olympics with a deadly mix of grace, determination and confidence. A hero forever.
Shane Warne’s ball of the century (1993): A relative unknown yet to make a name for himself, Shane Warne did just that when he bowled Mike Gatting
with his first ball on English soil. It drifted one way, spun the other, and just clipped off-stump in a perfectly confounding what-sorcery-is-this delivery later recognised as The Ball of the Century. Gatting couldn’t believe it. Neither could Warne’s teammates. Instant superstar moment.
Leo Barry mark seals the AFL Grand Final (2005): Goals win games. But so do marks inside defensive 50. Leaping Leo Barry’s – taken from side of the pack in the dying seconds of the 2005 Grand Final between bitter interstate rivals West Coast and Sydney – is still the prototype. Eyes only for the ball, positional awareness, disregard for personal safety, courage. With seconds to go and Sydney up 58-54, Eagles ruckman Dean Cox took an intercept mark just outside 50 and kicked long to the goal square in the hopes of either a mark within striking distance or a quick crumb and goal. Barry made sure it was neither.
Sally Pearson wins 100m hurdles in London (2012): One of only a few Aussies who could handle the hype in London.
Pat Rafter wins US Open (1997): Then-13th seed Pat Rafter took out his first US Open in 1997 – after which four-time US Open champ John McEnroe called him a “one-slam wonder”. McEnroe would be forced to eat his words the very next year. Maybe he should have known better. Rafter’s inaugural Grand Slam victory came at the expense of Andre Agassi in the fourth round and Michael Chang in the semis, before vanquishing Greg Rusedski in the final. Twelve months later he would knock off Sampras on his way to consecutive US Open titles.
Joel Parkinson wins first World title (2012): A fantastic achievement in itself but then tops it off by wining the Pipeline Masters. Class.
Image by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport
