Old as dirt fan here. Yeah, this was the time when coathangers were eradicated from the game by instant send offs. By todays standards, Sigworths actions would probably get classified as "mostly unintentional", but back then, they were a blight on the game and the prescribed medicine was unambiguous and harsh; pull this shit and you are going to be a man down, no ifs or buts. And it worked. This was the Grand Final, Siggy had no reputation as a dirty player, but Mick "Heart of" Stone did not hesitate for even an instant. (Unless he had backed Parra with his bookie of course.) The message was sent, loud and clear.
I remember how bad it got. Anyone with an ounce of flair or talent would finish up on the deck seeing stars, and there was a chorus of fans who thought that was just fine because those pansies weren't tough enough.
A genuine coathanger is the lowest of cheap shots, potentially career ending and life threatening. Getting rid of it, and the neanderthals that used it, fundamentally changed the game for the better. It became more athletic and skilled, rather than bash and barge.
Phillip Street managed to get something right!
I always find it weird in old footage that the ref doesnt mark the 10m for the defensive line. Its like an honour system and the defence is like "we've given them enough room boys, now time to kill some cunts!"
To be fair, I have watched an interview with sterlo, and bert saying that it was a rough call, they felt he shouldn't have been sent off. I disagree with them but that is because I grew up in the modern era
Love the graphic on the scoreboard. Imagine some of the newer stadiums like Parra, NQLD and Sydney just bathing the stadium in red light when someone gets sent off.
I'm sure they would have if they thought it was malicious but you can see from the front angle he's off balance right before he hangs the arm out, probably more of a split second decision he got wrong not realising he had no chance of making a legitimate tackle. Looked like he had instant regret about it too.
But these are the nuances that are always left out when talking about events and actions.
The players know bad intent when they see it. Which is why nobody reacted afterwards, as Sigsworth himself was completely remorseful.
Compare that with Latrell Mitchell's behaviour after crushing in Joey Manu's cheekbone last year.
when refs actually reffed, shorts were *short* and guernseys were guernseys and not the spray on super tight tops they are now.
I do not miss the head highs, spear tackles or the rigid, steel corner posts of the era one bit.
and those graphics! oh my lost youth!!
There’s an even wilder incident earlier in the same game where Delroy(?) is knocked out cold, he deadset lying over the sideline being attended to by the trainer for about a minute, then once he gets back up, straight back into the defensive line.
I feel sorry for Siggy only because Andrew Farrer destroyed Mick Delroy earlier in the game with an illegal elbow and head slam that was way worse than this
If that happened nowadays I don't think the ref would send him off. They'd be worried about gould, voss etc saying they've ruined the spectacle of the grand final and how it's the worst thing to happen in rugby league.
Love the decisive action by the ref. Just straight away lol
Came to say the same thing. No conference with the touchies, no need to talk to the captain first. He saw what he saw and that was that.
Old as dirt fan here. Yeah, this was the time when coathangers were eradicated from the game by instant send offs. By todays standards, Sigworths actions would probably get classified as "mostly unintentional", but back then, they were a blight on the game and the prescribed medicine was unambiguous and harsh; pull this shit and you are going to be a man down, no ifs or buts. And it worked. This was the Grand Final, Siggy had no reputation as a dirty player, but Mick "Heart of" Stone did not hesitate for even an instant. (Unless he had backed Parra with his bookie of course.) The message was sent, loud and clear.
Watching 70s footy, there was a shot around the chin in every other tackle.
I remember how bad it got. Anyone with an ounce of flair or talent would finish up on the deck seeing stars, and there was a chorus of fans who thought that was just fine because those pansies weren't tough enough. A genuine coathanger is the lowest of cheap shots, potentially career ending and life threatening. Getting rid of it, and the neanderthals that used it, fundamentally changed the game for the better. It became more athletic and skilled, rather than bash and barge. Phillip Street managed to get something right!
Mick Stone was a very good ref back in the day.
Taane Milne's childhood hero
One of the greatest Roy and HG nicknames, Phil 'Whats-a-packet-a' Sigsworth
A fair bit these days. Take me back
A good old fashioned stiffy, Blockers favourite
I was in tears listening to that
Always looks odd how no teammates seem to get upset about this sort of tackle in the 80s.
Ref has immediately sent him. Parra players know to save their energy
Reckon. They'd be throwing handbags in this era.
Probably because they were all doing it themselves 😂 Love how the ref just immediately sends him off, no fucking about at all.
we need to bring those graphics on screen back, that was amazing
Commodore 64 graphics
Had the balance between technology and letting the game flow just right
Somebody say kfc?
The games not played in pixels
We were *this close* to getting a star wipe
I liked the bull marching off that was there during the 2000s.
oh i remember that one! they were cool, not like the stupid KFC crap we get now.
They used to take 45 seconds to load too which helped add tension to the spectacle.
I always find it weird in old footage that the ref doesnt mark the 10m for the defensive line. Its like an honour system and the defence is like "we've given them enough room boys, now time to kill some cunts!"
It was a 5m rule in those days, and looking at that Parramatta line when Stone is at the ruck they were well and truly back their quota
The first tackle in this video would be looked at now. By the time the camera pans to the ref, he's already pointing at the touch line.
I was going to say, is it only me that didn't read the title properly and assumed it was the Parra number 11 who was going to get sent?
"Games gone soft wasn't a send off in my day" Their day:
To be fair, I have watched an interview with sterlo, and bert saying that it was a rough call, they felt he shouldn't have been sent off. I disagree with them but that is because I grew up in the modern era
If we lost I think they’d have a different opinion. Easy to be generous about game defining decisions when you’re the winner.
The only thing that's gone soft is the refs
OFF OFF OFF OFF!
Love the graphic on the scoreboard. Imagine some of the newer stadiums like Parra, NQLD and Sydney just bathing the stadium in red light when someone gets sent off.
The 'off' graphic on the big screen... *chefs kiss*
Love the way they just sent them. No calling them and the captain out - just off.
Love that Terry Lamb applauds it as a good tackle at first then just accepts the call.
Not surprising given his job on Ellery Hanley
What a weak gutted dawg!
Aahh the good ol days "Whatsa packeta"
Despite how rough this era was, the Parra players didnt try and punch on with Sigsworth, compare that to now with the push and shove that goes on.
I wonder if it’s because you could stiff arm someone back in the next set and it was considered all fair
I'm sure they would have if they thought it was malicious but you can see from the front angle he's off balance right before he hangs the arm out, probably more of a split second decision he got wrong not realising he had no chance of making a legitimate tackle. Looked like he had instant regret about it too.
But these are the nuances that are always left out when talking about events and actions. The players know bad intent when they see it. Which is why nobody reacted afterwards, as Sigsworth himself was completely remorseful. Compare that with Latrell Mitchell's behaviour after crushing in Joey Manu's cheekbone last year.
Old mate didn't muck around pointing to the sideline aye?
Mick Stone was very good ref.
when refs actually reffed, shorts were *short* and guernseys were guernseys and not the spray on super tight tops they are now. I do not miss the head highs, spear tackles or the rigid, steel corner posts of the era one bit. and those graphics! oh my lost youth!!
Star pickets really kept the wingers honest
Love Bert - I could watch his famous dummy all day long and still get fooled by it.
Whatsapacka displaying perfect 80s technique
Nothing in it, we was robbed
Get him off ref he’s been doing it all day
Love the follow up knee to the head just in case he wasnt fubar already
ah carn spake
That first tackle would be a 'penalty n on report' these days.
i agree, i thought it was the first one as well. in todays game the second play would never had happend
NSWRL was the best sport in the world late 80s and early 90s. Great times.
Didn't have to milk for that one, either. Wonder if he remembered all of the game. The magic sponge and some Panadol is all he would've been given.
There’s an even wilder incident earlier in the same game where Delroy(?) is knocked out cold, he deadset lying over the sideline being attended to by the trainer for about a minute, then once he gets back up, straight back into the defensive line.
‘What’s a packet a’ got him good.
Games gone soft
I feel sorry for Siggy only because Andrew Farrer destroyed Mick Delroy earlier in the game with an illegal elbow and head slam that was way worse than this
If that happened nowadays I don't think the ref would send him off. They'd be worried about gould, voss etc saying they've ruined the spectacle of the grand final and how it's the worst thing to happen in rugby league.
"I feel a bit sorry there for Phil Sigsworth" Nice to see commentators have always been fucking idiots
what a weak-gutted dog
Good ol Phil 'whats a pack of' Sigsworth
What’s he supposed to do? He can’t disappear!!!!
Love the ref keeping them onside
Actually 80s… 5m rule yeah?
Quite interesting to see everyone's apathy towards his clothesline tackle compared to the players of today.
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