Top 10 iconic NRL Grand Final photos

AN INSIDE man has lifted the lid on one of the most heartbreaking NRL grand final photos in recent memory.

GRAND Finals are always smorgasbord of emotional delights.

Every year, two teams pit themselves against each other after a gruelling season in an effort to bring home the cup, flag or pennant. It seems almost unfair to see thousands of hours of dedication ruined by a minuscule 80 minutes on the field, but the tense theatre football provides is what drags tens of thousands of fans through the turnstiles.

This weekend will see the North Queensland Cowboys attempt to defy the odds and pull off an underdog’s win over the Melbourne Storm after narrowly scraping their way into eighth place. The Cowboys edged their way into the finals after the Dragons bowed out of the race in a massive Round 26 upset against the Bulldogs.

If they win, it will go down as one of the greatest comebacks seen in recent memory.

We’ve had our fair share of emotional footy moments this year already. Johnathan Thurston’s retirement from Queensland in front of thousands of fans at Suncorp Stadium will go down as one of the most tear-jerking moments in State of Origin history.

Thurston was unable to play the game with a shoulder injury and had to watch his side win the series from the sidelines.

Arguably one of the most heart-wrenching snaps from years gone by was taken by Getty Images photographer Adam Pretty in the Sydney Roosters’ changerooms after their 16-13 loss to the Bulldogs in 2004.

Chris Walker and Craig Wing of the Roosters looking dejected after losing the NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and the Bulldogs. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Getty Images Director of Photography Stuart Hannagan says the distraught feeling after the game was shared by every single person in the Roosters’ dressing room.

“It’s all pretty heartbreaking on the ground,” he told news.com.au. “But I think when you get into the rooms, where the players are sitting there on their own, you find out what it’s really about.

“That picture in the Roosters’ room, I remember talking to Adam (photographer) about that.

“He said it was such a solemn experience and he’d never want to go there again. It’s probably the best picture that captures the dejection after a (lost) game.

“The coaches and families are normally in the rooms and are dejected as well so it can be a really horrible experience.”

Take a look at some of the most emotional moments (good and bad) from NRL grand finals of years past.

Brad Fittler of the Roosters with his wife and child after losing the 2004 NRL Grand Final against the Bulldogs. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Scott Hill of the Storm reacts after the Storm lost the 2006 NRL Grand Final to the Brisbane Broncos. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm players sing their team song and celebrate in their changeroom after winning the 2009 NRL Grand Final against the Parramatta Eels. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Outgoing Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello celebrates with teammates at full-time after winning the 2013 NRL Grand Final against the Manly Sea Eagles. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs celebrate victory during the 2014 NRL Grand Final against the Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final against the Brisbane Broncos. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has Gatorade poured over him after the 2009 NRL Grand Final match between the Parramatta Eels and the Melbourne Storm. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sharks captain Paul Gallen celebrates with his son Cody Gallen after victory in the 2016 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Terry Lamb, former captain of the Bulldogs kisses the Winfield Cup after winning the ARL Grand Final against the Manly Sea Eagles. (Photo by Getty Images)

Laurie Daley of the Raiders celebrates and thanks the crowd after winning the 1994 ARL Grand Final against the Bulldogs. (Photo by Getty Images)