Sport Australia Hall of Fame: Vote for your favourite Hall of Fame sporting moment to win
How do you fancy having lunch with a Sport Australia Hall of Fame member? Vote for your favourite sporting moment to win an incredible prize.
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They’re the sporting moments that made us gasp, scream and jump up and down in ecstasy.
Sport Australia’s Hall of Fame committee have chosen 20 iconic events to compete for News Corp’s Hall of Fame Moment prize.
A reader poll will determine the ultimate winner from this impressive field.
Selection committee chairman Robert de Castella said these are not to be considered the “greatest moments” in Australian sporting history, but they deserve to be in the conversation and cover a diverse range of sports, athletes and situations.
SCROLL DOWN TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE GREATEST MOMENT IN AUSTRALIAN SPORT
This year the public can get involved in the celebrations by voting for the News Corp Hall of Fame Moment that will be announced at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame awards on December 2. 2021.
One lucky reader, selected randomly, will win a magical moment featuring a money-can’t-buy experience.
You and a guest will win lunch with a Sport Australia Hall of Fame member and their guest. The prize will include a three-course lunch and beverages for two hours.
Here are the 20 moments in no particular order:
The News Corp Hall of Fame Moment will be revealed in a television special on the Seven Network on December 2, Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – a Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Kurt Fearnley’s gold in the marathon at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games
Kurt Fearnley had already claimed a gold medal for the 5000 metre race at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, but what he accomplished in his next race defied belief and would later earn him a Medal for the Order of Australia.
In the top class T54 marathon, Fearnley stayed with the leading pack for the first 30km which is largely uphill, before making his move in the final 10km.
He pulled away and looked to be powering home before disaster struck; his tyre went flat.
For the final 5km of the race, Fearnley pushed relentlessly towards the line and claimed an inspirational gold.
“I crossed that finish line with absolutely nothing left,” an exhausted Fearnley said after his victory.
Matthew Mitcham’s perfect 10 to win the 10m diving gold medal at 2008 Beijing Olympics
Matthew Mitcham became Australia’s first Olympic diving gold medallist since Dick Eve in 1924 when he won what had seemed an unlikely gold at the 2008 Games.
Competing at the iconic “water cube”, Mitcham was a rank outsider for gold and even he believed bronze was his best option, with his dominant rivals looking to complete a clean sweep of diving gold for China in Beijing.
But both Zhou Luxin (silver) and Huo Liang (fourth) buckled under pressure on their final dives while Mitcham nailed his effort, recording three perfect 10s and notching the then-highest score in diving history to seal the gold medal.
Anna Meares comeback from broken neck in 2008 to win cycling gold at the London 2012 Olympics
When Anna Meares broke her neck in a horrific race crash seven months before the Beijing Games in 2008, most doubted whether she’d return to a normal life, let alone the Olympics.
Already a gold medallist after becoming the first Aussie woman to win an Olympic track cycling event in 2004, Meares overcame the odds to return to competition in Beijing and won an unlikely silver medal in the sprint after going down to great rival Victoria Pendleton. Four years later, the pair would face off again in front of Pendleton’s home crowd at the London Olympics, with Meares winning an emotional gold and sealing her place as arguably the greatest female track cyclist in history.
Ian Thorpe’s 400m freestyle world record at Sydney 2000 Olympics
As dates with destiny go, it was a crowded one when Ian Thorpe delivered on the hopes of a nation and won his first gold medal of the Sydney Olympics.
Prime Minister John Howard was among the screaming stadium throng of 17,500 people who seemed to chant the teenager’s nickname ‘Thorpie’ as one, in awe at his calm determination in his pet event, the men’s 400 metre freestyle.
The expectation on the world champion was immense, having come back from a broken ankle 11 months earlier to make the blocks at his first home Games.
But by the first 50 metre turn, there was little doubt who would win, with Thorpe taking a commanding body-length lead and never looking back; securing the win and setting a new world record of 3.40:59.
The Diamonds netball World Cup win with Sharelle McMahon’s goal in the final seconds to defeat Silver Ferns
In one of the great matches between world netball’s fiercest rivals, the Diamonds staged an incredible final-quarter comeback to steal the World Cup from the Silver Ferns in front of a home crowd in Christchurch.
Trailing by six goals heading into the final quarter after New Zealand dominated the opening stages of the match, the Aussies clawed their way back into the game and headed into the dying seconds with the scores locked. A missed shot from the Ferns with 20 seconds remaining allowed the Diamonds one final attack and Sharelle McMahon sank a pressure attempt to give the Aussies a 42-41 victory and an eighth world championship.
Michelle Payne wins the Melbourne Cup on Prince of Penzance
Not only had a female jockey never won the Melbourne Cup in 155 years, but Michelle Payne was riding the 100-1 outsider Prince of Penzance.
The six-year-old gelding wasn’t even among talk for a place in a hot field featuring race favourite Fame Game from Japan and Britain’s Trip To Paris.
Payne is as tough as they come. She suffered a fractured skull during a race fall in 2004, but continued her career after recovery.
In 2015, as only the fourth female jockey to race in the Cup, Payne pushed Prince of Penance all the way with the leading group, took the lead with 100 metres to go and orchestrated an astonishing victory.
The magnitude of her achievement resulted in a 2019 movie, Ride Like A Girl, documenting Payne’s life and defining triumph.
Oarsome Foursome gold in Coxless Fours rowing at 1992 Barcelona Olympics
After winning gold at the world championships at Tasmania’s Lake Barrington in 1990, the men’s coxless four were dubbed the “Oarsome Foursome” in a newspaper headline that gave birth to one of Australia’s great sporting outfits. With a new three-seat in place, the crew won a second world championship in 1991 and headed to the Barcelona Olympics as gold medal favourites despite their dominance being challenge at lead-in regattas.
On the Lake of Banyoles, the crew of Andrew Cooper, Mike McKay, Nick Green and James Tomkins controlled the race perfectly to win gold and become household names, going on to be crowned Kings of Moomba and appearing in television advertisements.
Norm Provan and Arthur Summons embracing after the 1963 rugby league grand final
Wearing the muddy war paint of a hard-fought 1963 grand final played in torrential rain at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Norm Provan and Arthur Summons’ post-match embrace would embody the spirit and sportsmanship of rugby league in Australia.
Big man versus small man, rich club versus poor, an iconic image capturing the two ‘gladiators’ by photographer John Gready would cement their place in the history of the game - later immortalised in the statuesque trophy all teams play for in the NRL competition.
St George captain and a towering second row forward, Provan would go down as one of the game’s greatest players, sharing the record for playing in 10 grand finals; while Summons, a dual union-league international fly half, appeared in three GFs for Western Suburbs, as well as nine Tests for Australia.
The News Corp Hall of Fame Moment will be revealed in a television special on the Seven Network on December 2, Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – a Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Debbie Flintoff-King’s narrow victory in 400m hurdles at Seoul 1988 Olympic Games
Debbie Flintoff-King had an entire nation holding its breath after she charged home in the final of the 400m hurdles in Seoul to win gold.
Running through grief after the death of her sister Noeline just two weeks earlier, the two-time Commonwealth Games champion was fourth heading into the straight and looked no chance of victory. But with her trademark withering finish, she reeled in the leaders to be third heading into the final hurdle, second coming off it and gaining on leader Tatyana Ledovskaya with every stride.
A brilliantly timed dip at the line handed her the gold in a photo finish, with the official margin just one-hundredth of a second.
Herb Elliott’s gold medal in the 1500m at Rome Olympics in 1960
Herb Elliott made just one appearance at the Olympics but wrote himself into the history books with one of the greatest performances in the history of the Games.
The greatest middle distance runner of his time, Elliott was never beaten over a mile or 1500m and his time to win gold in the 1500m in Rome would have claimed the title at seven of the next nine Olympics. Already world record-holder in the 1500m when he headed into the final in Rome, Elliott’s blistering finish sliced another half-second from the mark and meant he crossed the line 20m ahead of his nearest rival.
Wayne Gardner wins the first MotoGP world championship race at Phillip Island
With rock anthem ‘Eye of the Tiger’ revving him up en route to Phillip Island for Australia’s first ever MotoGP, there was little doubt homegrown hero Wayne Gardner was ready to attack the local course and etch his name in sporting history.
Known normally as the home to plodding penguins, the tiny island was transformed in 1989 heaving with motor racing fans who were treated to one of the most exciting grand prix.
The lead changed 19 times over the 30-lap race, before Gardner claimed victory over US favourite Wayne Rainey, who dubbed the rider from Wollongong “a bulldog on a bike.”
The celebrations were utter pandemonium, with fans and Gardner’s fiance Donna flooding the track to hug her husband-to-be, who waved an Aussie flag as he revelled in the greatest victory of his career.
Emma Snowsill wins Olympic gold medal in triathlon
In a sport Australia had dominated for years prior to its introduction to the Games in 2000, Emma Snowsill became the country’s first - and to date only - Olympic champion in triathlon when she won in Beijing.
Australian women had claimed silver in the first two editions of the Games, through Michellie Jones in 2000 and Loretta Harrop in 2004 and Snowsill took them to the top of the mountain in 2008 on the back of a withering final run leg, sharing the podium with countrywoman Emma Moffatt, who took bronze.
The victory capped a tumultuous six years, which included the death of boyfriend Luke Harrop while he was out on a training ride in 2002, missing the Athens Games in 2004 through injury as well as the highs of three world championship victories.
Hockeyroos win their third Olympic gold medal in four cycles at their home Sydney Olympics in 2000
The Hockeyroos’ “golden generation” peaked at the Sydney Olympics after a decade of dominance that included two World Cups and five consecutive Champions Trophy titles.
After finishing fourth at their first Olympic Games appearance in 1984, the Hockeyroos embarked on an incredible run, winning gold at three of the next four Games, including in Sydney in 2000.
In a tournament that led to many of the team - from coach Ric Charlsworth, to captain Rechelle Hawkes and star striker Alyson Annan - becoming household names, the Hockeyroos embarked on an unbeaten run to the gold medal match in Sydney before defeating Argentina 3-1 in the final to be named best Australian team at the 2000 Olympics.
Makybe Diva wins third successive Melbourne Cup in 2005
Having claimed the 2003 and 2004 Melbourne Cups, one of the greatest racehorses of all time was set to be withdrawn from the 2005 race because the Flemington track was deemed too firm.
However, the VRC decided to water the track and Makybe Diva was a confirmed starter, looking to create history as the only horse to win the Cup three times.
Jockey Glen Boss came from back in the field and Makybe Diva hit the lead with 300 metres to go and could not be denied history.
She won her third Cup carrying 58kg, a record for a mare.
Three horses have won the Melbourne Cup back-to-back; Archer (1861-62), Rain Lover (1968-69) and Think Big (1974-75) but few believe Maykbe Diva’s three-peat will ever be matched.
Adam Scott wins US Masters - the first Australian to claim the coveted green jacket at Augusta
Australia had been so near yet so far when it came to the US Masters, finishing runner-up six times before Adam Scott broke through for the maiden victory in 2013.
Haunted by the near misses of Greg Norman in 1986, 1987 and particularly the capitulation to Nick Faldo in 1996, as well as Scott’s runner-up place alongside countryman Jason Day in 2011, it seemed the day may never come.
And then “The Big Queenslander” found himself in contention for the lead on the final hole. He birdied the 72nd hole, but then so did former champion Angel Cabrera, setting up a tense sudden-death playoff.
Both players parred the first hole. Cabrera missed a birdie putt by inches on the second hole, leaving Scott a 12-foot putt for birdie and the championship.
With nerves of steel and precision timing, Scott sunk the putt and raised his arms to break Australia’s drought and claim the Green Jacket.
Last ball in Australia’s tied Test match with West Indies in Brisbane in 1960
There had never been a tied Test match in the history of cricket until December 14, 1960.
Australia, hosting the West Indies in Brisbane, had surpassed the visitors’ first innings score of 453 with 505, thanks to Norm O’Neill’s brilliant knock of 181.
Alan Davidson then took 6/87 as the Windies were bowled out for 284.
Chasing 233 runs for victory, Australia got to 7-227 with one over remaining, bowled by Wes Hall.
Six runs from the eight-ball over (standard at the time) would give Australia victory, but they lost Richie Benaud with the second delivery and then Wally Grout with the fifth, leaving them with one run for victory from two balls, and one wicket left.
New batsman Lindsay Kline pushed the ball to square leg and took off for a run. His partner Ian Meckiff was sprinting to the wicketkeeper’s end but Windies fielder Joe Solomon picked up the ball and hit the stump from 12 metres out to snatch the tie.
Tony Lockett’s 1300th goal in 1999, breaking Gordon Coventry’s record
The most prolific goal kicker in VFL/AFL history, Tony Lockett snared the record when he kicked his 1300th goal in 1999 to break Gordon Coventry’s 62-year-old mark.
Lockett, one of the greatest full forwards in the game’s history, eventually finished with 1360 goals from 281 games for St Kilda and Sydney and remains the pacesetter almost 20 years after his career finished.
His effort to surpass Coventry’s record though was celebrated by thousands who witnessed it at the SCG, with about 2500 fans streaming on to the ground when he scored his third goal of the match against Collingwood.
Hit on the chest by a pass from Swans captain Paul Kelly, Lockett set the history-making shot through the sticks from 35m out despite what he called a “terrible” kick.
Alex Jesaulenko takes the mark of the century in the 1970 VFL grand final
It’s become one of the iconic images in AFL/VFL history - Carlton star Alex Jesaulenko taking a “speccy” over Collingwood ruckman Graeme Jenkin during the 1970 grand final to snare the mark voted the best of the century.
The spectacular leap, which resulted in Jesaulenko taking the ball with his knees on the shoulders of 193cm Jenkin, was a catalyst for the Blues’ fightback in one of the epic grand finals.
Collingwood led by 44 points at halftime but Carlton would fight back to record a famous win in front of more than 121,000 fans at the MCG, with Jesaulenko sealing the victory with a bouncing goal in the dying stages of the match.
Lionel Rose defeats Japan’s Fighting Harada to win world boxing title
The task in front of Lionel Rose seemed impossible on February 27, 1968.
The Aboriginal fighter was taking on a giant of boxing, Masahiko “Fighting” Harada, who had not lost in five years, had won and retained the bantamweight championship belts for 12 consecutive bouts, and was in his hometown of Tokyo.
However, the slick-skilled Rose produced a pugilism masterclass to outpoint Harada over 15 rounds to claim the WBC, WBA and The Ring bantamweight titles, becoming the first Indigenous boxer to become a world champion.
It was feared Harada would be too strong and busy for Rose – not a noted power puncher – but the Aussie not only outpunched the hometown hero but floored him with a counter right punch in the ninth round on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
More than 10,000 fans lined the streets of Melbourne to celebrate the shock upset win when Rose returned home.
Jeff Horn’s shock defeat of Manny Pacquiao to take WBO welterweight boxing title
Of the 51,052 people crammed into Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 2, 2017, about 10 truly believed that Jeff Horn could defeat boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
Three were in his corner, six were in seats allocated to his family, and the last was Horn himself, facing down the Filipino warrior who had already created history as an eight-division world champion.
The quietly-spoken Horn made a big statement with his fists early on, showing he was not going to be intimidated.
But Pacquiao’s power was bound to cause problems at some stage, and he hurt Horn badly in the ninth round.
It seemed the fight would be called off as Horn stumbled and staggered around the ring, yet he kept fighting, and somehow recovered to finish stronger, claiming a stunning 12-round decision victory to become WBO welterweight champion.
Terms and Conditions – Sport Australia Hall of Fame - Game of Chance (“Promotion”)
PROMOTIONAL COMPETITION
Particulars
Name of promotional competition (Promotion)
Sports Australia Hall of Fame Voting Competition
Promoter
Nationwide News Pty Ltd
ABN: 98 008 438 828
State permits/authorisations
N/A
Eligible entrants must be residents of
Australia
Promotional period starts
Saturday 6 November (9am AEST)
Promotional period ends
Sunday 14 November (11.59pm AEST)
Eligible entrants
Must be residents of Australia
Limit on number of entries which can be made by any one person
Only one entry per person. Maximum of one prize will be awarded per person
Entry process
To enter follow the instructions and complete the voting form set out on dailytelegraph.com.au, heraldsun.com.au, couriermail.com.au, advertiser.com.au, theaustralian.com.au, themercury.com.au, ntnews.com.au, geelongadvertiser.com.au, cairnspost.com.au, goldcoastbulletin.com.au and townsvillebulletin.com.au. Entrants must register their details and vote for the News Corp Magic Moment.
Prizes
One lucky winner and their guest will win lunch with a Sport Australia Hall of Fame member and their guest. Prize includes 3 course lunch and beverages for 2 hours.
Venue and Sport
Australia Hall of Fame member to be mutually arranged when winner is announced.
The prize is valued at up to $1,000. There is 1 prize to be won. Total prize pool is valued at $1,000.
Prize draw will take place before the HoF event on Dec 2
Second Round Date
N/A
Publication of each winner’s name and suburb can be found online at after competition closes.
Additional special terms
Please note not all members are available and SAHOF will endeavour to ensure the winner is provided a member of their choice and venue that is suitable for all.
Terms and conditions
1. These terms and conditions are the terms and conditions of the Promotion described above.
2. The above Particulars and information on how to enter and prizes form part of these conditions. These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time in accordance with state regulations.
3. Except where advertised differently, entry is only open to residents as described in the Particulars who are aged 18 or over. Promoter’s employees, associated companies and agencies, and their immediate families are ineligible. Eligibility requirements must be met at the time of entry and at the time of determining prize winners.
4. Entry will only be accepted during the Promotional Period which starts and ends as specified in the Particulars (Promotional Period).
5. All valid entries received during the Promotional Period will be entered into the Promotion. Incomplete or incomprehensible entries will be invalid.
6. Except where stated otherwise in the Particulars, entries are limited to one per person.
7. Promoter accepts no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected entries. All entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt by the Promoter and not at the time of sending by the entrant.
8. Prizes cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash. No responsibility or liability is accepted for any variation in the value of the prize/s. If a prize is unavailable then, subject to state regulation, Promoter may substitute a prize with a different item of equal or greater value. Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the supplier of that prize.
9. To the extent permitted by law, no responsibility is accepted by Promoter for any loss, damage, or injury incurred from entering the Promotion or taking up the prize and Promoter accepts no responsibility for any damage delay or loss of prize in transit.
10.Prize draw will occur as set out in the Particulars.
11.Unclaimed prize draw will take place at midday (AEST) three months after the initial draw at the same address as for the initial prize draw and such further draws will be conducted as is necessary to distribute the prize/s.
12.Winners of the draw or unclaimed prize draw will be notified by phone or email within 2 days of the draw or unclaimed prize draw. Winners will be published in the publication specified in the Particulars within 30 days of prize draw or unclaimed prize draw.
13.Winner/s of prizes valued over $250 will be published in The Australian newspaper within 14 days of the date on which they are determined to be a winner.
14.It is a condition of accepting a prize that the winner must comply with all conditions of use of the prize and the prize supplier requirements.
15.Promoter’s determination of winners is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
16.Promoter reserves the right to request information to verify the validity of entries, including proof of identity and Australian residency status at the nominated prize delivery address.
17.Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process or submitting an invalid entry.
18.If for any reason the Promotion is not capable of running as planned including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures, pandemic, epidemic, government recommendation or public health order or other causes beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupts or affects the administration security or fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Promotion, and including where a prize is unavailable for any of those reasons, the Promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion subject to any approval of state/ territory regulators where required. Tampering includes a ‘repeated entry device’ which enables an entrant to automatically enter repeatedly. Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process.
19.Promoter is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of computer online or wireless systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, or technical problems resulting from participation or sending or receiving any communication or materials in this Promotion.
20.The information entrants provide will be used by the Promoter for the purpose of conducting this Promotion. Promoter may disclose entrant’s personal information to its contractors and agents to assist in conducting this Promotion or communicating with entrants and state/territory regulators. Winners’ names may be published as required by relevant legislation or in accordance with these terms. Further information about how we handle personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, how we will deal with a complaint of that nature, how you can access or seek correction of your personal information and our contact details can be found in our Privacy Policy (https://preferences.news.com.au/privacy).
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