The Great Grand Finals: Rugby League's Greatest Contests

The rugby league grand final is regarded as the sport's ultimate contest, with 4.46 million people in Australia tuning in and staying for the entire game during the record-breaking 2025 season, crowning rugby league as the champion of Australian sport.

Grand Final day has been a beloved occasion on the calendar for rugby league fans, traditionally the ideal time to enjoy a barbecue lunch with family and friends before watching the match in the afternoon. Since 1954, when the playing of a grand final became mandatory in the NSWRL, league fans have witnessed some of the most exciting matches in the history of the game.

From the great Souths teams of the 1950s and St George's 11-year reign from 1956 to 1966, to the dominance of Manly and Easts in the 1970s, the emergence of the Brisbane Broncos in the 1990s, and the feats of the Penrith Panthers in the modern era, the grand finals have been nothing short of legendary.

The Great Grand Finals: Rugby League's Greatest Contests covers the foundation years of Rugby League from 1908, tracking every chapter up to the premier winners of 2025, including try scorers, referees, and how the game transpired.

In The Great Grand Finals, experienced writer Liam Hauser delves into more than 70 grand finals, highlighting all the champion teams, the great players, and historic moments. With game summaries, key points, essential statistics, and pages of great photos, this fully updated edition is the ideal book for any rugby league fan.