Ben Hunt wants to atone for his grand final howler. Others haven’t been so lucky

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But after “flushing” those memories, he gets a long-overdue shot at redemption in Sunday’s grand final against Melbourne at Accor Stadium.

“It means the world, it really does,” Hunt says. “Ten years on, it’s quite a long time in rugby league, but I’m really happy to be here now, and back with this great club.

“I’m just going to try to enjoy this week as much as possible and go out and give it everything on Sunday.”

Ben Hunt’s only grand final appearance ended in heartache in 2015.

A premiership triumph is the one box the 35-year-old has yet to tick during a remarkable 17-season career. After 354 first-grade games, nobody has waited longer.

“I’m getting pretty late on in my career and I haven’t won one yet, so that’s definitely on my mind,” he says.

Hunt is far from the first player to have come unstuck on grand final day, and he won’t be the last. There have been some howlers over the years that linger long in the memory.

Graeme Langlands, 1975

Arthur Beetson consoles Graeme Langlands after the 1975 grand final.

The late, great Graeme Langlands was in the twilight of an illustrious career when he captain-coached St George in the 1975 decider against Eastern Suburbs.

The future Immortal had been battling a groin injury and was advised that a painkilling injection would help him get through the game. The pre-game needle, however, infamously hit a nerve and left “Changa” with a leg that felt numb.

He proceeded to produce perhaps the worst game of his life in a 38-0 hammering and played only four more games in 1976 before retiring.

Neville Glover, 1976

Neville Glover played for NSW and Australia.

He represented NSW and Australia, played in 134 first-grade games and was named in Parramatta’s team of the century, yet Neville Glover’s career is unfortunately synonymous with one dropped ball.

With 12 minutes left in the 1976 grand final, and Manly leading the Eels 11-10, Parramatta created an overlap and centre John Moran passed to an unmarked Glover.

It wasn’t a perfect pass, and it went to ground. Manly proceeded to win 13-10 and Parra had to wait another five years for their first premiership.

Phil Sigsworth, 1986

Phil Sigsworth is sent off in the 1986 grand final.

Phil Sigsworth was one of the elite utility backs of the 1980s, representing NSW and Australia, but his luck in grand finals was cruel.

He lost in 1981 with Newtown against Parramatta, and two years later suffered another defeat against the same opponent, this time playing for Manly.

In 1986, he returned to the SCG with Canterbury, hoping it would be a case of third time lucky against the Eels. Instead, Sigsworth was sent off for a high tackle on Brett Kenny, and the Bulldogs lost 4-2 in the only tryless decider.

Ellery Hanley, 1988

Ellery Hanley after being knocked senseless by Terry Lamb in the 1988 grand final. He was unable to return.

Ellery Hanley was an inspired signing by Balmain late in the 1988 season, adding class and strike power to an already formidable side.

The Great Britain Test skipper played only eight games, but scored tries in each of Balmain’s play-off wins to help them reach the grand final, against Canterbury.

Unfortunately, a swinging arm from Bulldogs legend Terry Lamb early in the decider left the English import in Disneyland. He was carried from the field, unable to return, and Lamb was not even penalised, let alone suspended.

In Hanley’s absence, Canterbury proceeded to win 24-12.

Jason Stevens, 1993

Jason Stevens in his days with St George.

Young St George firebrand Jason Stevens was left in disbelief when he suffered a compound fracture of his thumb trying to tackle Glenn Lazarus in the opening seconds of the 1993 grand final.

Game over.

Stevens was rushed to hospital and, when he woke up after surgery, he learnt the Saints had lost 14-6.

Martin Bella, 1994

A dejected Martin Bella after being benched during the 1994 grand final.

The Test and Origin veteran had to wait until the age of 30 to play in his first grand final.

Unfortunately for the Canterbury front-rower, the biggest game of his career turned pear-shaped from the start when he knocked on from the kick-off.

Canberra front-rower Paul Osborne then slipped an offload in a Bella tackle and David Furner crashed over to score. It was all downhill thereafter and the Bulldogs were thrashed 36-12.

Jamie Ainscough, 1999

The tackle by Jamie Ainscough that left Craig Smith unconscious and led to a decisive penalty try in the 1999 grand final.

It was a split-second incident that has been replayed countless times during the past quarter of a century.

With Melbourne trailing St George Illawarra 18-14 and only five minutes left in the 1999 grand final, Storm halfback Brett Kimmorley launched a cross-field kick that winger Craig Smith caught cleanly, only to be knocked senseless by a high shot from opposite number Jamie Ainscough.

After conferring with the video officials, referee Bill Harrigan awarded a penalty try. Melbourne defended their 20-18 lead to claim the premiership.

Cameron Munster, 2018

Cameron Munster on his way to the sin bin in the 2018 grand final.

One of the NRL’s proven big-game performers had a night to forget in Melbourne’s 21-6 loss to Sydney Roosters in the 2018 grand final.

Munster became the first player to be sin binned twice in a decider, firstly for a professional foul, then late in the game for lashing out at Joey Manu with his knee in a play-the-ball.

In typically candid fashion, Munster later described the Manu incident as “a brain fart”.

Ben Cummins, 2019

Referee Ben Cummins waves six again in the 2019 grand final, before quickly changing his decision.

Ben Cummins was arguably the best referee in the NRL at his peak, officiating in five grand finals.

Four of them were largely free of drama, but in 2019 he found himself right in the spotlight after the Roosters beat Canberra 14-8 in the decider.

The game was in the balance at 8-all when Cummins ruled six again, before controversially reversing his call to deny the Raiders another attacking set.

Very son after, the Roosters scored the match-winning try, leaving the ref to face the wrath of furious Raiders fans.

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