North Sydney Bears legend and CEO Greg Florimo shared the pains of failing to convert contending seasons into premiership glory on The Rush Hour’s Hero, Highlight & Hardship podcast.
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Speaking with Gus, Jude & Wendell, the most-capped Bear spoke about all the close calls throughout the 90s of falling at the last hurdle before the ultimate decider, bowing out in four preliminary finals.
“I think in the end we caused more people heartache than what we were able to deliver,” said Florimo.
“It’s been a question of what could’ve been, what should’ve been.
“We had a great team, something just didn’t go right.”
The most harrowing memory for old Bears fans is the 1991 semi final against the eventual premiers Penrith Panthers.
The old format gave a direct Grand Final spot to the winner, whilst the loser would get another chance the week later.
One of the game’s greatest kickers Daryl Halligan uncharacteristically went 1/5 with his conversions.
The Bears would lose 16-14 and then cop a heavy defeat to Canberra Raiders the following week.
1994 saw another preliminary final defeat.
1996 they fell at the same hurdle.
1997 the trend continued…
We all know what happened next.