1980 - 1989

The year will also be remembered for the boxing match between halfback rivals Tommy Raudonikis and Tiger Greg Oliphant. The match raised money for Dennis Bendall who was seriously injured, and unfortunately for Tiger supporters, Tommy Raudonikis won on TKO. Larry Corowa was also awarded the MBE for services to rugby league.

The Tigers bowed out of the 1983 competition in dramatic fashion when they lost to St George in extra time of the semi final 17-14 after leading 14-6.

Balmain ended up in 5th place but would have to contest the Finals without Steve Roach after a tackle that did not raise an eyebrow during the game was used to cite Roach who would later be suspended and have to miss the Grand Final of 1988. Balmain beat Penrith twice, then knocked off Manly 19-6, Canberra 14-6 and Cronulla 9-2 in the preliminary finals to make the Grand Final after winning 6 sudden death matches.

The 1988 Grand Final was also a controversial one. Steve Roach was to be flown to England to serve the last game of his suspension in England before returning to Australia for the Grand Final. The scheme devised by Keith Barnes was based on the precedent of Mario Fenech and South Sydney in 1986. Unfortunately for Blocker, the ARL and NSWRL pressured Balmain to abandon the scheme and the club did so. The controversy did not end here. In the Grand Final, the match was over by half time with Canterbury leading 12-8. Ellery Hanley, the boom English import who had inspired the Tigers throughout the miracle march to the Grand Final was knocked out by Terry Lamb and Andrew Farrar tackle. Without the Pearl and with Blocker on the sidelines watching the Tigers who had fought valiantly for so long could not stop the Bulldogs who eventually won 24-12.

The Tigers lost Ellery Hanley to Wests but gained the classy Englishmen Shaun Edwards and Andy Currier. The Tigers added the Alfa Romeo Challenge to the Nissan Sevens victory in the pre-season but in doing so the side lost Garry Jack for 12 games with a broken arm.

The Tigers would once again make the Grand Final in 1989 but this time the side were raging hot favourites. The forward pack was the best in the league and the form of the side in the semi finals was red hot. To this day the Balmain V Canberra Grand Final of 1989 is regarded as one the best ever. The game began at a great pace and the attacking play was flowing from both sides. The Tigers led 12-2 at half time with tries to James Grant from an intercept and Sironen from an Andy Currier kick. Canberra hit back in the second half with a try to Gary Belcher to make the score 12-8. Balmain then had their chances, a Mal Meninga ankle tap on Mick Neil, a dropped pass by Junior and the infamous field goal attempt by Benny Elias that hit the cross bar.

Trailing 14-8 and with just 1:37 on the clock, the oldest man on the field, the 35 year old John "Chicka" Ferguson stepped his way to the try line. Meninga converted. In extra time Canberra led 15-14 with a field goal before prop Steve Jackson clinched it with a try.

This match would break the hearts of many Tiger supporters around the country but this is nothing compared to the emotions of the Tiger players. Some players believe the difference was the replacing of Blocker and Sirro with time remaining, whilst others are unsure of whether the decision really turned the game. Either way, very few members of that side can watch the video of the match and the sight of Junior Pearce in tears and a weeping Garry Jack laying on the SFS turf inconsolable will never leave the memory bank of those who witnessed the match.