Great Aussie Meltdowns

Australia awoke this morning to the news that Adam Scott had failed in his attempt to win the British Open, despite holding a four shot lead going into the last round. "The worst meltdown in history" or words to that effect were plastered across many news websites in reaction to Scott's four bogey's over the last four holes to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. But while it was undoubtedly an impressive example of the "choke", the Australian sporting landscape is littered with moments of madness that those involved would rather forget. Here are some other great Aussie meltdowns:
AFL
Collingwood 1970 Grand Final: Depending on which side you are on, one of the greatest Grand Finals of all time or one of the darkest days of the 20th century. Collingwood gunning for its first since 1958, were up by 42 points at half time and seemingly unstoppable. But what happened next scarred many Magpie fans for life, and was used to strike the fear of God into young Pie supporters for years to come. Carlton kicked 13 goals to four to win by 10 points, with Alex Jesaulenko taking that mark. It also gave birth to the "Colliwobbles" which haunted Collingwood until 1990.
Port Adelaide 2001 - 2003: The AFL's youngest team made a huge splash when it played off in a Qualifying Final against the Brisbane Lions in just its fifth season. Their loss in that game, and the follow up loss the the Hawks a week later (despite leading by 17 points into the last quarter) was no disgrace. Just a young team finding their way they said. But subsequent losses in '02 and '03 where they failed t:o make the Grand Final despite finishing on top of the ladder warranted the public labelling them the Port Adelaide Chokers.  This branding led their coach to make this gesture after winning the flag, ironically just a year after they were named chokers.
Richmond 2012: It just wouldn't be a list of meltdowns without the Tigers, who have been the providers of equal amounts of mirth and despair since they last tasted premiership success in 1980. But their effort against the winless Gold Coast was one right out of the box. Less than thirty seconds to play, 10 points up only Richmond could find a way to lose that.
Special Mention - Michael Rischitelli: As commentator Anthony Hudson once said, "I see it but I don't believe it."

CRICKET
Australia vs Sri Lanka 2010: This one was like a collision between two super tankers - slow moving and with a sense of inevitability - no one can do anything about it. Chasing a modest total of 239, Sri Lanka were reeling at 8/102 and the game appeared over. So much so that a large majority of the spectators packed up and left. The unlikely pairing of Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews then put on 137 for the ninth wicket in such untroubled fashion that the demoralised Australian team subsequently rolled over and lost the series two nights later at the SCG. The inability of the Australian bowlers to put put two tail-enders under any pressure whatsoever is a mystery even to this day.
Don Bradman: Now this might be a bit tough on the great man, but when you average 100 runs an innings, surely four runs would not be such a tough ask. Going into his last test match Bradman had a batting average of 101.39, however he was deceived by delivery from spinner Eric Hollies and clean bowled second ball, reducing his average to 99.94. A second innings collapse by England (conspiracy maybe?) led to an innings win for Australia meaning Bradman would not bat again in Test matches. The wash up? A measly four runs would have meant the Don finished his career with a 100 average. I know everyone says 99.94 is a better average as it shows that no one is perfect etc etc, but really 100 would have been nice.
FOOTBALL
Australia 1998 WC qualifier: Perhaps this was brushed over as football was still a niche market in '98 but the Socceroos spurning a World Cup place is a worthy addition to this list. After an admirable 1-1 draw in Tehran, Australia entered the second leg at the MCG with a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup for just the second time. And with a 2-nil lead late in the second half it seemed almost guaranteed, but two Irani goals in the last 15 minutes shattered the hope of Australia in front of the largest crowd ever assembled in Australia to watch a game of football.
Perth Glory 1999/2000: The old National Soccer League may have had many problems but producing cracking games was not one of them, and the '99/00 final was perhaps the best of them all. Perth were hot favourites playing at home against a Wollongong side they had beaten just a few weeks earlier. After being 3-nil up at half time coach Bernd Strange subbed off a number of his key players. The result? The Wolves surged back to tie the game and then went on to win 7-6 on penalties. A great meltdown by all involved.
OTHER NOTABLE MELTDOWNS
Sally Robbins: One of the most bizarre performances ever seen in Australian sport. In the Olympic final of the women's eight, rower Sally Robbins apparently at the point of exhaustion dropped her oar in the last 400 metres and laid back against her teammate, condemning Australia to last place in the race, and earning her the nickname 'Lay down Sally'. As this was allegedly not the first time this had occurred, Robbins then tried her luck at professional cycling which, unfortunately for her, led to similar success as she had in the boat.
Womens 4x200 Freestyle 2001: One thing all swimmers know is that you don't leave the pool before everyone else had finished. Therefore it should be a no-brainer that you don't jump into the pool to celebrate before the race is over. Obviously not for the Australian team who were disqualified for exactly that at the 2001 World championships in Japan. Funnily, the second pace getters, the USA, were also disqualified enabling Great Britain to win their first gold of the championships, Steve Bradbury-style.
But the grand-daddy of them all...
Greg Norman: Australia's greatest golfer and, ironically, Adam Scott's idol, has perhaps the most unfortunate history of meltdowns of all. For a player who spent a massive 331 weeks as the world best golfer it is shocking that he won only two majors, although a closer look at his career show an amazing seven-times runner up in major championships and many of those from losing leads in the final round. Of course his meltdown tour de force was the at the 1996 Masters where he took a six shot lead into the final round only to lose be five shots to Nick Faldo. 

I think its fair to say Scotty has a way to go to top his boyhood hero, the Shark.