IT was a #YearofSportingDreams at Stadium Australia.
During a footy season of extraordinary drama and entertainment, more than 1.4 million fans passed through the Stadium turnstiles to witness a series of unforgettable contests and “where were you” sporting moments.
Five footy games across four codes stand out as the ultimate highlights in a year that will long be remembered. They were:
The NSW Blues’ record a drought-breaking State of Origin series win over the mighty Queensland Maroons after eight long years.
A capacity home crowd of 83,421 inspires the Blues to a narrow 6-4 Game II win that erupts with wild scenes on and off the field. Man-of-the-Match Jarryd Hayne jumps into the Blatchy’s Blues supporters’ area to embrace diehard Blues fans.
The NSW Waratahs claim their first ever Super Rugby title with a last-minute 33-32 victory over the Crusaders in front of a Super Rugby record crowd of 61,823.
In a moment for the ages, Bernard Foley nails a 43m penalty in the final minute to clinch a heart-stopping one-point victory for the ‘Tahs.
Superstar Alessandro Del Piero makes an emotional Aussie farewell in front of 55,364 fans who see the great man almost lift the A-League All Stars to a shock result against Italian superclub Juventus – the club where Del Piero became a football legend.
In a moving scene reserved for sports royalty, Del Piero is replaced in the 65th minute and receives an emotional standing ovation that lasts for more than three minutes before Juve snatch a 3-2 victory in injury time.
Buddy Franklin blasts the Sydney Swans into the AFL Grand Final with a five-goal haul and best-on-ground display.
The Swans take their Finals Fortress record to eight wins from nine games at Stadium Australia. In an impressive 136-65 victory against North Melbourne, 48,029 fans cheer the red and white to their second Grand Final in three years.
Who will ever forget the emotion of South Sydney Rabbitohs’ first premiership in 43 years in front of 83,833 fans – a new ground record for Stadium Australia in its current configuration – and with a TV audience of 4.6 million.
Stadium Australia’s two long-term home clubs, the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs, fight out one of the most intense NRL Grand Finals, before the Rabbitohs run away late with the game, winning 30-6 and sparking a wild week of celebrations by the red and green faithful.
Your chance to win!
As we look back at this extraordinary year of sporting highlights, we want to know what your favourite moments was, and see your best photos from these experiences at the Stadium.
To win two Stadium Australia Memberships for 2015, head to our Facebook page here and tell us which of these five magical moments was your favourite. Then head to our Twitter page here and tweet us your best photos from any one of these events, with the hashtag #YearofSportingDreams for your chance to win four tickets to any regular season sporting event at Stadium Australia next year.
Where will you be for the big sporting moments of 2015? You can guarantee you’ll see all the big plays by becoming an Stadium Australia Member.
Click here for details.
