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The BJ Show
Australia’s Fiercest Sporting Rivalries
Rivalries don’t just fill stadiums—they shape who we are as fans. We dive into the contests that split families, fuel pub debates from Perth to Penrith, and turn ordinary fixtures into folklore. From the A-League’s “Original Rivalry” to the bruising Western Derby, the century-deep fire of Carlton vs Collingwood, the Ashes’ transcontinental theatre, and the tribal madness of State of Origin, we sift through the flashpoints, heartbreaks and heroics that made these clashes unforgettable.
We relive Adelaide vs Melbourne Victory’s biggest moments, including the sideline bust-up and grand final scars that still sting in red. We revisit the Demolition Derby and the swings of WA dominance that forged identity on both sides of the river. We unpack the social and class roots of Carlton–Collingwood and spotlight the 1970 grand final, a coaching gamble that rewrote the sport’s tempo and left Collingwood haunted for years.
Then we travel across eras with the Ashes: the birth of the urn in 1882, Bodyline’s brutality, Warne’s Ball of the Century, and modern controversies that keep the fire stoked. We finish with State of Origin—mate vs mate, state vs state—where pride outmuscles form and legends are made in three nights a year. Along the way, we explain our criteria: cultural weight, national relevance, flashpoint legacy, and longevity. The result is a definitive ranking that prizes meaning over mere scorelines and argues for why some rivalries outlive their eras.
Loved the list or ready to argue it? Follow the show, tap the bell, and tell us your top rivalry and why it belongs at No.1. Your stories might feature next time—subscribe, share with a mate, and leave a review to join the debate.
Hello, we are back. Welcome to another episode. Bonus episodes. We're here on the BJ Show. So we are going to be sharing the best Aussie rival of all time. Let's get on with the show. So wow, what a show we got here today about the Australian Aussie rival of all time. And you knew if make sure you subscribe and like as well. Make sure you hit that notification. Let's get on with it. So what is the greatest rival in Australia? Well, it's a dividing of torrent families apart, ended friendships, and in going through every pub from Perth to Panayana. It is the unmated Aussie Garden Match. Well, today we are finally setting it. We are ranking the Australian most icon sports showdowns covering each and every single code from the Burning Theatre of State Origin. I may share this a couple of times in the rugby, but I'm gonna share a bit maybe a bit more detail on that. I'm only going to crown the unburghard champions. This isn't just about the final score, it's about passion-pilled, unsustainable with bad blood. So let's get into it now. This is not just rugby now. We are talking about the football of A-League, the original rival of Adelaide United versus Melbourne Victory. What an absolute classic. Kicking off our list at number five. So we're gonna do a top five here. We had or have two, the world game for a rival that might be younger than the others, but this is just a match. Vinchton. The original rival between the LA United and Melon Victory is born in the field early days of the A-League. This clash is more than a game, it's a battle of the state's culture and football. Philippines let to be honest. Victorians and South Australians have always shared a healthy dislike for one and the other. And when it's a the A-League stand was started, it was only natural. Their flagship clubs would bring their tall scene to the pinch. And it was inspired experience. This rival give us one of the most infamous sidelines memories in the Aussie fort when LA coach John Cosmine and Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat get into it over a saddleball. The image of Kosmire grabbing their mascot by the throat and perfecting captain the flowers' nature of the contest from day one. But this real sulk in the worm from Adelaide fans have always been the biggest stage. Melbourne victory have a habit of dominating the game that matters, that including the two grand finals win over the Reds. The first was the Bluting Stick 0 flashing to 2007. He's a scare or scar that has never really chilled from the LA Faithful. In this match victory strike, Armin Thomas wrote his name in the history by scoring the incredible five goals record that still hunted LA supported to this day. Two years later, Melbourne try the ninth. And with a 1-0 grand final victory, where Alai has had his moment like breaking a 10-game losing string with a stunning 4-1 in the Melbourne 2011, the biggest moment have so often bagging Star Navy Blue. It's this history of high strike, heartbreaking the commons of ride, regional rivals as one of the radians, firecast. We come to number four, the Western Derby between the West Coast Eagles and Freed and Tall Dockers. What an absolute shame, Mumber. Why were we number four? We're heading to West for the Western built a city, a state, it's ever fan leads right down the middle. The Western Derby it's ever seen. Friends will join the A4 in 1995. It's the clashes where Emboy's West Coast Eagles have been the biggest event of the WA football T Crow calendar. It's a classic big brother versus little brother. Story dominate from the future from the very beginning. In the early days, it was Pearl Domine West Coast who's the powerhouse club. One the first nine derbies in Bruins, the painful scent of Thunderbury. A new kit on the block. That just made Field to ever won in 1999. All the sweat and massive breakthrough from the club, and it's been a long suffering fans, but the rival true itself in round 21 2000. It's a match now in fire, known as the Devantin Derby, after a humiliating 117 points loss to West Coast early that season. 3-0 came out baffling fire. That pre-game talk when online Swister Dockers players claim what a house decade blood ward being spilled. What follows wasn't just a game of footy, but it was a serious bruise and running battles that saw four-player suspension for a total of 15 matches. It was a line, the sand and moment that changed a WA football forever. In the years since we had swarmed back and forth with a period of Eagles dominated, including 11 straight wins from 2015 to 2021, and Times Herfria has held its badges right. It's arrival to divine by Ficiately moments and Sewershell Brent Leeds like Mashew Pavlic. Eight goal masterclass and the warding, the Glenny Allen, a medal for the best player on the ground. The Western Derby is way more than the game for four points. It's a battle for the soul for the state. We come to the top three. We come to Calden versus Coningwood. What a game this was. This is always a good old classic. Coming in and at number three is a rival built on more than a century per old-fashioned and haters. The BFL conditional of Calden versus Cingwood. This isn't just a match. It's a cultural war that helped shape the BFL and AFL. It is called the biggest and losers runner rival in the league, both from social, religion, and class divides in the early 20th century. Melbourne Coningwood was the hard working class Irish athlete Kutland. Carlton was seen as the most embarrassed middle class class club from the very beginning. They were the oil and water. The Bad Blood sad to Pied Imani in the 9010. But it was the embarrassed from the massive booze involvement, dozen of players and official buttons. The moment the modern haters was the 1970 grand final in front of a rackle crowd. Over 121 people, Conningwood were the Red Hot favorites and had a massive 44 points at halftime. And what changed the same football forever? Carlton coach Rod Barshan ordered his players to handball with Lessus and play on the cost of a rival talent. And spoken very clear, the greatest comfort in grand final history. Carlton stormed home by 10 points. The victory didn't just won that apprenticeship. It was velocity traded by Conningwood for years, centuries for tension known as the Coningwall Ball. The two clubs have met in six grand finals, Carlton winning five. It is history, culture, drives, and Sean Mumber boosting classic games that makes this rival appeal Australian sport. Even when one team is stopped at the bottom of the ladder, the game is against the old Emini is still most hated. Well, of the year. Here we go, the ashes. We got another classic cricket special. We got Mumma two, the ashes of Australia's England. At Mumba Two, we have a rival that crossed generations over oceans and travel distance. The most bail sport played in the ashes. This is more than just a cricket series. It's Rival Burden War for natural pride between Australia versus England and a true swell strengthening all the way back in 1982. Or 1882. The original story led to see after Australia won the test series on England soil for the first time. A British newspaper printed a skirting for the England cricket study. The body will craned and the ashes taken to Australia when England Captain Ivan Blound voted to regard those ashes on the next tour down under the most famous ever cricket was born. The ashes is divine by its echoed conces and unforgetting memories. You have infamous body line series of the 99 and 30 1932-33 where England Captain Douglas Jagg the dangerous pattern of bowler batsman bodies to try and stop Sir Douglas. Well, Storm and Baton move. Unstoppable, attending, dangerous and regardless between the countries. There was memories prumagric. Shane Warren, Bowl of the Century, then left Mike getting speechless in 1993 and then the 2005 serious whirling scene. Selecting Kevin Pierce and Incredible, who ending up 16 years of radiance dominate and retested cricket around the world. From Dennis Lyre try to use the bat in 1979 to Stuart Bourne, we fly sheen to walk after a massive edge of the 2023-2013 Ashes series. It's packed with memories and that keeps the fire burning for the players on both sides. Winning the Ashes. So, principle for their careers, it's a contest that is 150 years of pride, pain, and passion. Well, but there is Kenmy one more one winner. Before we write our last one, Mumma One, make sure you hit that subscribe button, win, or hit that notification bell so you do not want to miss a moment. But the waiting for coming up with Mumma One, it's the champions of rival estate origin. This is isn't just a rugby league series. And I just shared this so many times, I'm just gonna share this very short term. So it's a great culture. Both teens of New South Wales and Queensland go head to head. It's been around for many generations. Go and check that out. It's a big episode. I can't wait to share that. And those who love their rugby, I know this will be a perfect one to share as well. But I'm going to that is number one, the best old rugby in the world for straight sports between New South Wales and the Queensland. Alright, thank you so much. So there it is. Our Defiant Rankings. What did you get wrong? What number is your favourite one? Comment down below. Let's see the reigns. Don't forget to subscribe and we'll see you all in another episode here on the Beejo Show. Thanks for listening. Cheers, peace out. The Beejo Show is out.
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