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Australian Sport's Top 5 Biggest Controversies

Rower Sally Robbins received widespread condemnation for "giving up" during the 2004 Olympics.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

(1) Trevor Chappell and that underarm

In 1981, Kiwi No.11 Brian McKechnie needed a six from the last ball of the match to tie a memorable one-day final. Under-pressure captain Greg Chappell ordered his brother Trevor to bowl the ball underarm along the ground, sparking a lasting controversy that escalated all the way to the Kiwi PM.

(2) 'Laydown' Sally Robbins drops her oar

The Australian women's eight rowing team may have been fading from medal contention, but that didn't stop the universal condemnation and public ridicule that came Robbins' way after she dropped her oar and collapsed into a team-mate, 400m short of the finish.

(3) Dawn steals the Olympic flag

Known as much for her larrakin behaviour as for her champion feats in the pool, Dawn Fraser first found notoriety when she was arrested at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for stealing an Olympic flag from Emperor Hirohito's palace.

(4) South Sydney 'steals' the 1909 title

Balmain's fierce rivalry with neighbour Souths was sparked when the Rabbitohs allegedly broke an agreed boycott of the 1909 decider, kicked off to no one and 'stole' the title from the Tigers.

(5) Nicky Winmar is black and proud

In 1993 Saints' gun Nicky Winmar responded to racist heckling from Pies fans by lifting his shirt, pointing at his skin and declaring, "I'm black and I'm proud". For the first time racism in Australian sport had entered the public domain.

What was the most controversial moment? Vote in our poll below


 
All Time Aussie Top 5 Lists

Top 5 Most Memorable Moments

The biggest wins in Australian sporting history.

Top 5 Controversies

The shocks that stopped the nation.


Top 5 Quotes

The greatest wisecracks and worst blunders.


Top 5 Greatest Finishes

The classic sporting thrillers.


 
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