Knights feature in memorable Allianz Stadium moments

It's somewhat incongruous that Michael Buble smooth crooning will be the final act to grace Allianz Stadium next month before the bicentennial project is ripped down, refurbished, and re-opened in 2022.

The venue has been home to a lot of rough and tumble rugby league over the years with plenty of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears spilt on the lush arena.

It is more appropriate that the last football game of any code will be Saturday night's NRL preliminary final between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs, two clubs who have played more matches at the Sydney Football Stadium than any other.

NRL.com takes a look back at some of the magical moments from the Moore Park venue.

1988, 3rd Test - Great Britain 26, Australia 12

This was the third Test in the bicentennial series, and Australia had not only won the first two Tests but were on a 15-match winning streak with their traditional rivals. But the visitors turned the tables, with the match also memorable since it featured entertaining and excellent commentary, from the legendary Darrell Eastlake and Jack Gibson.

1989, Grand final – Canberra Raiders 19, Balmain Tigers 14

This is the match Raiders forward Steve Jackson earned the nickname "GFH" – grand final hero. The Tigers were ahead 12-2 at half-time but the Green Machine fought back. Balmain hooker Ben Elias misses a field goal off the crossbar. A John Ferguson try converted by Mal Meninga sends the match into extra time. Then Jackson, the unheralded replacement prop, does his thing and Canberra win their first premiership.

1991, State of Origin, Game II – NSW 14, Queensland 12

A sublime Ricky Stuart pass puts Blues centre Mark McGaw over in the right corner with a couple of minutes left on the clock to level scores 12-12. In the pouring rain, Michael O'Connor steps up to kick the conversion, having missed two from three so far in the game. He doesn't miss this one to level the series 1-1.

1991, Grand final – Penrith Panthers 19, Canberra Raiders 12

The Panthers had lost the 1990 decider to Canberra, things were looking shaky again with the Green Machine leading 12-6 at half-time. In the second half a Greg Alexander field goal put the Panthers ahead 13-12 with seven minutes to go. Hooker Royce Simmons, who was playing his last game, had scored a first-half try. But his second-half try in the left corner – off a Mark Geyer pass - was the match-winner, sealing Penrith's first premiership.

1992, State of Origin, Game I – NSW 14, QLD 6

Hard to pick who made this the more memorable night, Ben Elias or his mother Barbara. Elias receives a bad gash to his head, which requires 10 stitches. Elias ended up winning the man of the match award, after he took over the Blues captaincy from Laurie Daley, who knocked himself out in the in-goal.  As he did post-match interviews with blood still seeping from his bandaged head, his mum is moving in between reporters & cameramen with a tissue to clean up her son's forehead.

1994, State of Origin, Game I – QLD 16, NSW 12

The famous "miracle try" match. Queensland are trailing 12-10 and there's 60 seconds on the clock. But from their 20-metre line in their own half, comes the move where nine Maroons players touched the ball – halfback Allan Langer twice – before Mark Coyne evades two tackles and scores in the right corner.

1997, Grand final – Newcastle Knights 22, Manly Sea Eagles 16

Manly were the minor premiers in this split ARL-Super League season. It was another drawn game 16-16 with barely 20 seconds on the clock. But halfback Andrew Johns took a run down the blind side and then passed back inside to winger Darren Albert, who scored. It gave the Knights their first premiership and spun Newcastle into a 72-hour celebration.

2005, Anzac Day – St George Illawarra 26, Sydney Roosters 24

The Roosters led 18-6 and 24-20 before Mathew Head chips over the top of the opposition, regathers and puts centre Matt Cooper into score to level matters 24-all. Head isn't finished there and kicks a sideline conversion with less than two minutes on the clock.

2006, Tri-Nations Series final – Australia 16, New Zealand 12

The match is locked up at 12-12 when the full-time siren sounds. The series is being played on NRL rules so golden point begins. During the first five-minute half of extra time, Darren Lockyer and Stacey Jones miss field goals. But then a show-and-go by Johnathan Thurston – who made his Kangaroos debut earlier that year in the Anzac Test – finds Lockyer on his left. He races away to score the winning points in the 87th minute.

2017, Anzac Day – Sydney Roosters 13, St George Illawarra 12

Mitchell Pearce had missed this traditional match the previous year because of an eight-match ban for alcohol-fuelled behaviour with a dog at a private party. But he made up for it this time scoring a 66th minute try to give the Roosters the lead for the first time in the match. Then Dragons winger Nene Macdonald scores and with a Josh Dugan conversion from the sideline, it's 12-12 at fulltime. Pearce steps up in golden point and kicks a field goal in the 84th minute.