WE live in a world of opinions, so venturing into “best-ever” lists becomes problematic with so many different views about what really are the “best-ever” moments in a Canberra sporting event.

This rules out monumental events such as the Raiders’ 1989 Grand Final victory, Rob de Castella’s 1983 world championship victory in the marathon, the heroics of Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon, Heather McKay’s 16 British Open squash titles, Ned Zelic’s goal to put Australia into the 1992 Olympics, the Olympic success of Petria Thomas and Simon Fairweather, and so on.

I am looking at the 10 greatest sporting moments that took place in Canberra, prompted by the success of Canberra’s hosting of the Asian Cup and the Cricket World Cup.

Chris Gayle’s 215 off 147 balls for the West Indies against Zimbabwe deserves a place in the top five moments in Canberra. The knock created plenty of records including the first double hundred in the history of the World Cup.

Before this innings, Sir Donald Bradman’s final game of cricket was at Manuka Oval, when he came out of retirement to play for the Prime Minister’s XI against the MCC in 1963. This was regarded by many as the most significant Canberra sporting moment and probably still is to this day.

I would rank Gayle’s 215 ahead of Sir Donald’s last game, but both make the top 10.

The Asian Cup Football quarter final between Iraq and Iran at Canberra Stadium earlier this year is another I have put in the top 10. For outright drama it is hard to go past this game: one all at the end of regular time; three all at the end of extra time; Iraq winning the penalty shootout in a contest littered with yellow cards.

Also in the top 10: Canberra United’s unbelievable season in 2011/2012 in which they took all before them to win the National Women’s Football title.

Nor can the Canberra Capitals’ tense WNBL Grand Final victory in 2003 with the city emotionally fragile after the bushfires in January be overlooked. The Capitals, led by Lauren Jackson, beat archrivals Sydney Flames by two points. I would put this victory ahead of the others and the three title wins by the Cannons because of the timing of the victory and the importance it carried within Canberra at the time.

Mal Meninga’s final game at Canberra Stadium in 1994 will live in my memory; the crowd being allowed to sit on the field during the game and Meninga’s tears when the grandstand bearing his name was unveiled. I would rank this game in the top 10 alongside the Raiders’ victory over the Wests-Tigers in the snow in 2000.

The Brumbies first Super Rugby title in 2001 at Canberra Stadium would have to score a mention. I would rank the 2004 win ahead of 2001 in terms of sheer drama, with the Brumbies leading 33 to nil in the first half against the Crusaders before it became a cliffhanger in the second half.

In 1978, the crowd wasn’t as big but the match between the ACT and Wales was probably more significant, the ACT side was very much local and they came up against the Five Nations Champions. Down 16-6 at halftime, the ACT kicked a late penalty goal to win 21-20. A great game!

To me, the greatest moment in a sporting contest in Canberra was in 1980 when the ACT took on the might of the Victorian VFL team, which included Brownlow Medalists, and some of the greatest players in the history of Australian Rules.

The ACT, led by Kevin “Cowboy” Neale, beat Victoria 95 to 82 in possibly the biggest upset ever in the code.

You might not agree with some of my top 10 selections, but lists like this provide the opportunity to reflect on the history of Canberra sport and revisit these great moments in our sporting history.