document_title: National Rugby League

question_text: which nrl teams have never won a premiership

question_tokens: which nrl teams have never won a premiership

text: National Rugby League

text: History[edit]

text: Origin and establishment[edit]

text: The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) ran the major rugby league competition of New South Wales from its inception in 1908 until 1994. Following the introduction of a new format for interstate rugby league, the State of Origin series in 1980, the decade of the 1980s brought about expansion of the NSWRL premiership, with the introduction of commercial sponsorship, the Winfield Cup, and the addition of non-Sydney-based teams, Canberra and Illawarra in 1982.[6][7] Although this move brought more interest in the competition statewide in New South Wales, it would spell the beginning of the demise of some of the traditional Sydney-based clubs as well as having a negative effect on the Brisbane Rugby League premiership. Following the 1983 season, Sydney foundation club Newtown Jets were ultimately forced to withdraw from the competition because of financial difficulties.[8]

text: Further expansion of the league followed in 1988, with another three teams based outside Sydney introduced to the competition; the Newcastle Knights and the first two Queensland teams, the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast-Tweed Giants.[9] The Brisbane and Newcastle sides proved to be successful and popular and paved the way towards a push for a truly national competition. This was attempted in 1995 with control of the premiership passing from the NSWRFL to the Australian Rugby League (ARL), who invited four more teams from outside NSW to participate in 1995. Ultimately this competition failed, but in its demise the National Rugby League was born, incorporating the traditional Sydney clubs, successfully coercing the Sydney market to follow the newly created national competition.

text: The prospect of a truly national rugby league competition in addition to the introduction of pay television in Australia attracted the attention of global media organisation, News Corporation, and it followed that professional rugby league was shaken to its very foundations in the mid-1990s with the advent of the Super League war. Initially a conflict over broadcasting rights, it became a dispute as to who controlled the sport and which traditional clubs would survive into the new national era, as News Limited formed their own Super League and admitted some former ARL clubs, poaching players from the original ARL league with high salaries. With twenty-two teams of highly varying quality playing in two competitions that year, crowd attendances and corporate sponsorships were spread very thinly,[10] and many teams found themselves in financial difficulty. The ARL undertook moves to invite the traditional clubs that had moved to the Super League competition back into a re-unified competition. Following a period of negotiation with News Corporation, on 23 September 1997 the ARL announced that it was forming a new company to conduct the competition in 1998. On 7 October News' Manaaki Ranginui announced that he was confident that there would be a single competition in 1998. On 19 December, representatives of clubs affiliated with the Australian Rugby League gathered at the Sydney Football Stadium to decide whether to accept News Limited's offer of a settlement – eventually voting in favour by 36 votes to 4.[11] As a result, in the following months the National Rugby League, jointly owned by the ARL and News Limited, was formed.

text: It was announced that the inaugural National Rugby League (NRL) season of 1998 would have 20 teams competing, 19 remaining Super League and ARL teams plus the Melbourne Storm, who were created by Super League for their 1998 season. Clubs on both sides of the war were shut down. Super League decided to close the Hunter Mariners and the financially ruined Perth Reds, who were $10 million in debt at the end of 1997[citation needed], while the ARL decided to close down the South Queensland Crushers, who were also in severe financial trouble[citation needed]. Additionally, at the end of 1998 the NRL decided to close down former Super League club, the Adelaide Rams and former ARL club, the Gold Coast Chargers, despite the Gold Coast franchise being one of the few clubs to make a profit during the Super League war[citation needed].

text: 1998–2002: Rationalisation[edit]

text: One condition of the peace agreement between the ARL and News Limited was that there would be a 14 team competition in 2000. The 20 clubs that played in 1998 would be assessed on various items such as sponsorship, crowds, on-field success and the like. It was also announced that clubs that merged would receive a large sum of money, as well as a guaranteed position in the 2000 NRL Competition. The St. George Dragons and the Illawarra Steelers were the first clubs to take up the offer, forming the joint-venture St. George Illawarra Dragons at the end of the 1998 season.

text: The 1999 NRL Grand Final brought about a new official world record attendance for a game of rugby league. 107,999 spectators saw the Melbourne Storm defeat the newly created St. George Illawarra Dragons in the decider at Stadium Australia.

text: Balmain and Western Suburbs formed the joint-venture club, the Wests Tigers at the end of 1999, while North Sydney and Manly Warringah created the ill-fated Northern Eagles. As part of another image makeover, a number of teams also released new club logos. The most notable of these was the Sydney Roosters, dropping the City section of their name for the 2000 season and beyond. Souths were controversially axed from the competition at the end of 1999 for failing to meet the criteria.

text: This move was highly controversial and on 12 November 2000 about 80,000 marched in protest at their continued exclusion. South Sydney challenged the decision in the Federal Court claiming that the NRL agreement was exclusionary, intended to unfairly exclude South Sydney, and breached the Trade Practices Act. Justice Paul Finn ruled that the agreement did not specifically exclude any club and dismissed the Rabbitohs' claims for re-instatement into the national competition. Souths appealed this decision and were re-admitted into the competition in 2002.

text: The Auckland Warriors experienced much financial hardship in the early part of the decade, ultimately collapsing before being resurrected as the New Zealand Warriors for the 2001 season. They made the Grand Final in 2002 and then again in 2011, losing both encounters to the Sydney Roosters and the re-instated Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, respectively.

text: In 2001, Australia's largest telecommunications provider Telstra became naming rights sponsor of the NRL, with the competition's name becoming the NRL Telstra Premiership, while in 2002 David Gallop took over the CEO role from David Moffett, and the competition has become more and more popular each season.

text: In 2001 the NRL Grand Final started to be played on Sunday nights, a shift from the traditional Sunday afternoon slot used for over a decade prior.

text: 2003–2010: Record popularity, expansion and centenary[edit]

text: The 2003 season was widely regarded as the most successful since the beginning of the National Rugby League in 1998. The Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club took over the NRL licence from the Northern Eagles franchise, after the financial bankruptcy of the North Sydney faction made the joint-venture untenable. The Penrith Panthers rose from the bottom of the table to win the Premiership, while the Broncos returned to Suncorp Stadium mid-year. Season 2004 proved even more successful than 2003, with the North Queensland Cowboys going from 11th position in 2003 to 3rd in 2004, narrowly missing out on a maiden Grand Final berth.

text: Crowd average records were broken in 2003, 2004 and 2005.[10] In 2005, the NRL reached record levels of popularity for its competition. Total crowds for the competition season almost reached the figures for the last year of the competition conducted by the ARL competition of 1995, prior to the Super League war. The average attendance record remained until 2010.[10] From 2004 to 2005, there was a 39% increase in sponsorship, a 41% increase in merchandise royalties, and a 12% increase in playing participation.[12] In 2005, Business Review Weekly ranked the NRL 497 in revenue of Australian private companies, with revenue of A$66.1m (+7%) with 35 employees. In 2004, Canterbury-Bankstown put a year of turmoil and disgrace at the aftermath of the alleged rape scandal to hold aloft the NRL trophy and give the Bulldogs their first premiership since 1995. In 2005, a record national audience of 4.1 million tuned in to watch the grand final between the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys.[13]

text: The 2006 NRL Grand Final was won by the Brisbane Broncos over the Melbourne Storm, 15–8. The matchup was a significant milestone in the history of the NRL, as two interstate teams (teams not from New South Wales, the "heartland" of the NRL) contested the grand final for the first time. In the city of Melbourne, whose team was playing in their second grand final, the game's television ratings were higher than in Sydney where the game was played.[14] Crowds were down on 2005, however were better than any other year prior to that.

text: In its tenth season the NRL returned to having a club based on the Gold Coast, Queensland with the inclusion of the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans were the first professional sporting team to occupy the Gold Coast since 1998, when the Gold Coast Chargers were one of the teams removed during the NRL's rationalisation process between the end of the Super League war and the 2000 season.

text: The 2007 season saw the return of Monday Night Football and the inclusion of two Friday night games. Both of which turned out to be ratings successes. Another change from the previous seasons was a reduction in the number of byes per team in the season. With an odd number of teams contesting between 2002 and 2006, the draw meant that at least one team would have to have a bye each weekend. With the inclusion of the 16th team for the 2007 season, the National Rugby League had the option of reverting to back to the system used between 2000 and 2001 where every team played each round. That system was not used however, with teams were given just a single bye during the year, grouped in periods that will assist clubs around representative fixtures.

text: The opening round saw two matches at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, the first featuring reigning champions Brisbane against fellow Queensland side North Queensland, while the second match featured the new club, the Gold Coast playing St. George Illawarra. The weather during the middle of the season was less than ideal, with cyclonic conditions severely affecting many NRL games played in Sydney and Newcastle.

text: The 2007 finals series saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs return to finals football for the first time in decades. The season culminated on 30 September 2007, with the Grand Final contested between Manly and Melbourne. Melbourne won the title 34–8 and the Grand Final achieved the honour of being the most watched television show in Australia in 2007.[15]

text: Throughout 2008, the NRL celebrated 100 years since rugby league was introduced into Australia, with several initiatives to recognise the important milestone, including an extensive marketing campaign called the 'Centenary of Rugby League'. The competition began in March, with a special Heritage round held in mid-April, coinciding with the first round of competition played in 1908.

text: At a Gala event on 17 April 2008 the Team of the Century was announced, being:

text:
Full-back: Clive Churchill
Wingers: Ken Irvine, Brian Bevan
Centres: Reg Gasnier, Mal Meninga
Five-eighth: Wally Lewis
Half-back: Andrew Johns
Lock: John Raper
Second Row: Norm Provan, Ron Coote
Props: Arthur Beetson, Duncan Hall
Hooker: Noel Kelly
Reserves: Graeme Langlands, Dally Messenger, Bob Fulton, Frank Burge
Coach: Jack Gibson.[16]

text: For the second year in a row, the Grand Final was played between the Melbourne Storm and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, in the NRL's first ever twilight decider. The Sea Eagles took out the premiership game 40–0, setting the record for the highest winning margin in a Grand Final match (although the club formerly known as St. George Dragons were beaten 38–0 in 1975 and using the modern point scale of 4-point tries, this would amount to 44–0.) Furthermore, it was the first time a team had been kept scoreless in a Grand Final since 1978.

text: The 2009 season marked the beginning of the second century of rugby league in Australia. The Grand Final that year was played between the Parramatta Eels and once again Melbourne Storm. Melbourne defeated Parramatta 23 – 16 to win the premiership to make it two premierships out of the last four grand finals for the Storm.

text: In 2010 the Inaugural All Stars Match was held on 13 February, in conjunction with the Sorry Day reconciliation anniversary to promote rugby league's long association and involvement with the Aboriginal community. The first match saw the Indigenous All Stars beat the NRL All Stars 16–12. The success of this event has seen it become a recurring fixture on the rugby league calendar with Queensland awarded the hosting rights for the next three years.[17]

text: The 29th State of Origin series was also played featuring the world's first live free-to-air 3D TV broadcast.[18] Queensland later made further history by winning an unprecedented fifth series in a row, and winning the 2010 series by a scoreline of 3–0, their first Origin whitewash since 1995.[19]

text: In 2010 the NRL set a record total season average attendance of 17,367 per game and a record total season aggregate attendance of 3,490,778.[20][21]

text: During the 2010 finals series, the second qualifying match between the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters became the first McIntyre System final to go into extra time, with the One Hundred Minute Epic described in media circles as one of the greatest of the modern era.[22]

text: The 2010 Grand Final was played between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. The Dragons won 32–8. This was the first premiership won by the club in its eleven-year existence.

text: 2010–present: Establishment of the ARLC[edit]

text: After several years of preparation and build up, on 14 December 2010 the Australian Rugby League and News Corporation agreed upon a constitutional framework paving the way for the establishment of a new and independent commission to govern the sport in Australia. The negotiations of such a framework became drawn out over establishing details, primarily of sponsorship, media rights, funding of state bodies, funding of the Melbourne Storm, debate over News Ltd private ownership of clubs, and also of individual appointments to the new body. The 2011 Grand Final was contested between the Manly Sea Eagles and the New Zealand Warriors. This was the second grand final involving the New Zealand Warriors. Manly recorded a 24-10 win claiming their second premiership under head coach Des Hasler.

text: On 10 February 2012, the independent commission, known as the Australian Rugby League Commission assumed control of all levels of the game, replacing former state based boards and assuming full control of the NRL from the NRL partnership (comprising the previous ARL board and News Limited).[23] The 2012 Grand Final involved the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm, this was the first time since 2008 that the first and second placed teams contested the Grand Final. The Melbourne Storm recorded a 14-4 victory thus achieving their second premiership and claiming some vengeance for the stripped premierships.

text: The 2013 season saw the resurgence of foundation clubs the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs with both clubs finishing first and second place respectively. The NRL was also left with a black eye after the Cronulla Sharks were caught using performance-enhancing substances by ASADA dating back to 2011. The 2013 Grand Final was played between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles with the Roosters recording a 26-18 victory, the match is most remembered for a spectacular try by Roosters centre Michael Jennings which sealed the win for the Bondi club.

text: The 2014 season started with the introduction of the Auckland Nines and was marred by the handing down of a million dollar fine to the Cronulla Sharks for their role in the ASADA scandal while head coach Shane Flanagan was suspended for the entirety of the 2014 season. The 2014 Grand Final was contested by the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. This was the Rabbitohs first grand final appearance since 1971. The Rabbitohs would break their 43-year premiership drought with a 30-6 victory.

text: The 2015 season saw the return of the Queensland juggernauts, The North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos who would finish inside the top four and contest the 2015 Grand Final. The 2015 Grand Final is considered by many to be the greatest grand final of all time as a high intensity match ended in dramatic circumstances when the Cowboys scored as the full-time siren sounded. Johnathan Thurston would miss the conversion from the sideline as the ball hit the post thus sending the match into golden point, the first golden point grand final. Ben Hunt would drop the ball on the kick-off and hand the Cowboys the chance to win which was converted as Johnathan Thurston successfully kicked a field goal to win the match 17-16.

text: The 2016 season saw the Melbourne Storm return to the minor premiership position while the Canberra Raiders returned to the top four for the first time since the 2003. The Cronulla Sharks and reigning premiers North Queensland would fill out the top four. The season continued a trend of the minor premiership not being decided to the final round, the fourth consecutive year. The 2016 Grand Final was contested between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks, it was the Cronulla Sharks fourth grand final appearance while it was the seventh for the Storm. The match was a tight affair and was not settled until after the siren had sounded. The Cronulla Sharks claimed their first premiership ending a famous 49-year drought by a score of 14-12.

text: It was announced in December 2017 that, on the back of the success generated by the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup, a national women's league would commence in September 2018 and comprise four clubs aligned to existing NRL clubs.[24]

text: Teams[edit]

text: The NRL consists of sixteen clubs: eight clubs based within Greater Sydney, two in regional New South Wales, three in Queensland and one each in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand. The league operates on a single group system, with no divisions or conferences and no relegation and promotion from other leagues. St. George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers have two locations indicated due to more than one ground being occupied by both teams.

text: A total of twenty-three clubs have played in the National Rugby League since its first season in 1998. For a list of all clubs past and present see List of teams in the NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL. For a complete list of all teams no longer competing in the NRL see here

text: Eleven clubs have been members of the National Rugby League for every season since its inception in 1998. This group includes Brisbane, Canberra, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cronulla-Sutherland, Melbourne, New Zealand, Newcastle, North Queensland, Parramatta, Penrith and Sydney Roosters.

text: Current clubs[edit]

text:
Club
Established
City
Stadium
Seated capacity**
Premierships
Most recent
and years since

Brisbane Broncos
1988
Brisbane, Queensland
Suncorp Stadium
52,500
6
2006; 12 years ago (2006)

Canberra Raiders
1981
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Stadium
25,011
3
1994; 24 years ago (1994)

 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
1934
Sydney, New South Wales
Belmore Sports Ground
ANZ Stadium
20,000
83,500
8
2004; 14 years ago (2004)

 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1967
Sydney, New South Wales
Southern Cross Group Stadium
22,000
1
2016; 2 years ago (2016)

 Gold Coast Titans
2007
Gold Coast, Queensland
Cbus Super Stadium
27,400
0

 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
1947
Sydney, New South Wales
Lottoland
23,000
8
2011; 7 years ago (2011)

 Melbourne Storm
1997
Melbourne, Victoria
AAMI Park
30,050
3
2017; 1 year ago (2017)

 Newcastle Knights
1988
Newcastle, New South Wales
McDonald Jones Stadium
33,000
2
2001; 17 years ago (2001)

 New Zealand Warriors
1995
Auckland, New Zealand
Mount Smart Stadium
30,000
0

North Queensland Cowboys
1995
Townsville, Queensland
1300SMILES Stadium
26,500
1
2015; 3 years ago (2015)

 Parramatta Eels
1947
Sydney, New South Wales
ANZ Stadium
83,500
4
1986; 32 years ago (1986)

Penrith Panthers
1967
Penrith, New South Wales
Pepper Stadium
22,500
2
2003; 15 years ago (2003)

 South Sydney Rabbitohs
1908
Sydney, New South Wales
ANZ Stadium
83,500
21
2014; 4 years ago (2014)

 St. George Illawarra Dragons
1998*
Wollongong, New South Wales
Sydney, New South Wales
Wollongong Showground
Jubilee Oval
23,000
20,505
1
2010; 8 years ago (2010)

 Sydney Roosters
1908
Sydney, New South Wales
Allianz Stadium
44,000
13
2013; 5 years ago (2013)

 Wests Tigers
1999*
Sydney, New South Wales
Campbelltown Stadium
Leichhardt Oval
ANZ Stadium
20,000
20,000
83,500
1
2005; 13 years ago (2005)

** Figures reflect Seated Capacity for rugby league games only. Seated Capacity other sports, concerts and special events may differ, and varies dependant on the type of event and the infrastructure involved in stage set up.
* denotes that the club was formed as a joint-venture of former existing clubs.
^ denotes that previous clubs making up the joint venture had won premierships prior to merging, which are not included in this tally.

text: Defunct Clubs[edit]

text:
Club
Established
Last Season
City
Stadium
Premierships

Adelaide Rams
1995
1998
Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide Oval
0

Balmain Tigers
1908
1999 (Merged with Western Suburbs Magpies)
Balmain, New South Wales
Leichhardt Oval
11

Gold Coast Chargers
1987
1998
Gold Coast, Queensland
Seagullls Stadium
0

Hunter Mariners
1995
1997
Newcastle, New South Wales
Topper Stadium/Marathon Stadium
0

Illawarra Steelers
1980
1998 (Merged with St. George Dragons)
Illawarra, New South Wales
WIN Stadium
0

North Sydney Bears
1908
1999 (Merged Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, split in 2002)
North Sydney, New South Wales
North Sydney Oval
2

Northern Eagles
2000
2002
North Sydney/Manly/ Warringah, New South Wales
Brookvale Oval/Central Coast Stadium
0

St. George Dragons
1921
1998 (Merged with Illawarra Steelers)
St. George, New South Wales
Hurstville Oval
15

South Queensland Crushers
1992
1997
Brisbane, Queensland
Suncorp Stadium
0

Western Reds
1992
1997 (Disbanded due to the Super League war)
Perth, Western Australia
WACA Ground
0

Western Suburbs Magpies
1908
2000 (Merged with Balmain Tigers)
Western Suburbs, New South Wales
Campbelltown Stadium
4

text: Foundation clubs[edit]

text: Two of the teams currently in the NRL were founded in 1908, the first year of rugby league competition in Australia: the Sydney Roosters (founded as 'Eastern Suburbs') and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Foundation club Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers have been competing as a merged entity, the Wests Tigers since the 2000 NRL season.

text: Famous NRL rivalries[edit]

text: NRL venues – traditional and non-traditional[edit]

text: Since 1998 NRL clubs have played both trial matches and premiership season games in areas that do not have representation in the NRL in both Australia and New Zealand. Non-traditional venues that have been used include Central Coast Stadium, Westpac Stadium, Barlow Park, TIO Stadium, nib Stadium, Stadium Mackay, Marley Brown Oval and Eden Park in Auckland.

text: Season structure[edit]

text: Pre-season[edit]

text: The NRL pre season typically begins in February and ends in early March. Clubs generally use this time to organise trial matches to test playing combinations however some clubs play for trophies. Easts and Wests play for the Foundation Cup while South Sydney and St. George Illawarra play for the Charity Shield. The trials are typically played in cities and towns that normally don't host NRL matches. In the past a World Seven's rugby league football tournament has been hosted, however this was scrapped due to injury concerns.

text: All Stars match

text: Beginning in 2010 the All Stars match has become a major fixture in the NRL preseason. The teams are chosen via public voting and the two sides play for the Arthur Beetson Trophy. In 2018 the game was temporarily removed from the calendar due to the World Cup being played the previous year citing an excessive player workload.

text: Auckland Nines

text: In 2014, the inaugural rugby league Nine's tournament took place, featuring all sixteen NRL clubs. It is staged at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.[25] This two-day tournament has now become a regular fixture, taking place at the end of January each year. Women's nines games are also fixtured alongside the main tournament between the Australian and New Zealand women's teams. In 2018 the tournament was removed from the calendar due to the World Cup being played the previous year citing an excessive player workload.

text: World Club Series

text: The World Club Series is an annual tournament played between the champion clubs of the National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions and four invited teams. Until season 2014, it was known as the World Club challenge, being only a single match between the champions however in 2015 it was expanded to include four invited teams who played two exhibition games before the final. The first match of its kind was played in 1976 and it was then played sporadically throughout the late 80s, and 90s including a one off Super League tournament in 1997, before becoming a regular annual pre-season fixture since 2000. To date only English and Australian sides have competed in the World Club Challenge.

text: Premiership season[edit]

text: As rugby league is a winter sport in Australasia, the NRL premiership season usually begins in early March following a brief series of trial matches. During each pre-season trial match series, the Charity Shield is played for between the Rabbitohs and Dragons. A round of regular season premiership games is then played every weekend for twenty-six weeks, usually until the end of September. In most rounds, one match is played on Thursday night, two on Friday night, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. Special themed weeks include Heritage Round, Women in League Round and Rivalry Round. Separate trophies between rival teams are also presented throughout the season, such as the Ron Coote Cup between the Roosters and Rabbitohs, Jack Gibson Cup between Parramatta and the Roosters, the 1989 League Legends Cup between the Tigers and Raiders, the Bandage Bear Cup between the Bulldogs and Eels and the Mal Reilly Cup between Newcastle and Manly Warringah.

text: Teams receive two competition points for a win, and one point for a draw. The bye also receives two points; a loss, no points. Teams on the ladder are ranked by competition points, then match points differential (for and against) and points percentage are used to separate teams with equal competition points. At the end of the regular season, the club which is ranked highest on the ladder is declared minor premiers.

text: Representative season[edit]

text: As well as playing for their club in the premiership, NRL players are regularly selected to play in a number of representative competitions that are conducted throughout each season. The representative season is generally considered to be a period of rugby league that runs from about the middle of April until the middle of July each year.[citation needed] Up until the 2017 season the fixtures took into account the following games:

text:
The annual Anzac Test between Australia and New Zealand (Early to mid April)
The New South Wales City vs Country Origin match (Early to Mid April, same weekend as the Anzac Test)
The Pacific Tests, played on the same weekend as the Anzac Test and City vs Country Origin, these games feature matches placed between Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga
The three match State of Origin series (June – July)

text: From 2018, the season was altered to create a shorter workload for players a number of representative games were scrapped and timing changed therefore the representative season was changed to include:

text:
The Pacific Tests, played on the same weekend as the second State of Origin game
The three match State of Origin series (June – July) with the second game featuring on a standalone weekend.

text: Other representative matches that can occur later in the year are:

text:
The Prime Minister's XIII match in Papua New Guinea
The Four Nations tournament – Australia, New Zealand and England plus another qualifier
The quadrennial World Cup tournament
Additional test Matches between Australia and New Zealand.

text: Finals series[edit]

text: The eight highest placed teams at the end of the regular season compete in the finals series. The system consists of a number of games between the top eight teams over four weeks in September, until only two teams remain. These two teams then contest the Grand Final, which is usually played on the first Sunday of October. From 1998 to 2011, the NRL used the McIntyre Final Eight System but with the introduction of the ARLC, it was decided to change to the current format which was perceived as fairer for teams finishing in the Top 4.[26]

text: Grand Final

text: The NRL Grand Final, which determines the season's premiers, is one of Australia's major sporting events and is one of the largest attended club championship events in the world. Since 1999 it has been contested at Sydney's Stadium Australia, which was the primary athletics venue for the 2000 Olympic Games.[27] The first year it was held at Stadium Australia, the NRL Grand Final broke the record for attendance at an Australian rugby league game, with 107,999 people attending.[28]

text: The Grand Final had traditionally been played on Sunday afternoons, shifting to 8 pm in 2001, then to 7 pm thereafter. However, from 2008, a compromise was reached between official broadcaster Nine Network's preferred starting time and the afternoon starting time of 3 pm, with the Grand Final beginning at 5 pm AEST.[29]

text: Each year the NRL Grand Final Breakfast, a function that is attended by both teams, hundreds of guests and screened live on Australian television is held during the week before the game.

text: The game itself is usually preceded by an opening ceremony featuring entertainment and the singing of the national anthem by well-known Australasian and international musical acts. After the pre-game entertainment it is traditional for the NRL trophy to be delivered to the field by an Australian Army helicopter shortly before kick off.

text: At the conclusion of the Grand Final there is a presentation ceremony where the winning team are awarded premiership rings.[30] The player judged to be the man-of-the-match by the Australian national team selectors is awarded the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal and the Prime Minister of Australia is typically on-hand to hand the trophy to the winning captain.

text: In 2010 the Government of New South Wales secured the grand final for Stadium Australia until 2022 for $45 million.[31]

text:
Stadium
Location
Country
Highest attendance
Average attendance

Stadium Australia
Sydney
Australia
107,999
80,000

text: Premiership winners[edit]

text: Note – Melbourne Storm were stripped of their 2007, 2009 premiership titles and their 2006, 2007, 2008 minor premiership titles due to their breach of the salary cap. The titles were withheld by the NRL rather than awarding them to the runners up.

text:
Season
Grand Finals
Minor Premiers

Premiers
Score
Runners-up

1998
 Brisbane Broncos (4th title)
38 – 12
 Canterbury Bulldogs
 Brisbane Broncos (37 pts)

1999
 Melbourne Storm (1st)
20 – 18
 St. George Illawarra Dragons
 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (40 pts)

2000
 Brisbane Broncos (5th)
14 – 6
 Sydney Roosters
 Brisbane Broncos (38 pts)

2001
 Newcastle Knights (2nd)
30 – 24
 Parramatta Eels
 Parramatta Eels (42 pts)

2002
 Sydney Roosters (12th)
30 – 8
 New Zealand Warriors
 New Zealand Warriors (38 pts)

2003
 Penrith Panthers (2nd)
18 – 6
 Sydney Roosters
 Penrith Panthers (40 pts)

2004
 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (8th)
16 – 13
 Sydney Roosters
 Sydney Roosters (42 pts)

2005
 Wests Tigers (1st)
30 – 16
 North Queensland Cowboys
 Parramatta Eels (36 pts)

2006
 Brisbane Broncos (6th)
15 – 8
 Melbourne Storm
 Melbourne Storm (44 pts) *stripped

2007
 Melbourne Storm *stripped
34 – 8
 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
 Melbourne Storm (44 pts) *stripped

2008
 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (7th)
40 – 0
 Melbourne Storm
 Melbourne Storm (38 pts) *stripped

2009
 Melbourne Storm *stripped
23 – 16
 Parramatta Eels
 St. George Illawarra Dragons (38 pts)

2010
 St. George Illawarra Dragons (1st)
32 – 8
 Sydney Roosters
 St. George Illawarra Dragons (38 pts)

2011
 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (8th)
24 – 10
 New Zealand Warriors
 Melbourne Storm (42 pts)

2012
 Melbourne Storm (2nd)
14 – 4
 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (40 pts)

2013
 Sydney Roosters (13th)
26 – 18
 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
 Sydney Roosters (40 pts)

2014
 South Sydney Rabbitohs (21st)
30 – 6
 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
 Sydney Roosters (36 pts)

2015
 North Queensland Cowboys (1st)
17 – 16
 Brisbane Broncos
 Sydney Roosters (40 pts)

2016
 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (1st)
14 – 12
 Melbourne Storm
 Melbourne Storm (42 pts)

2017
 Melbourne Storm (3rd)
34 – 6
 North Queensland Cowboys
 Melbourne Storm (44 pts)

text: List of most successful NRL teams[edit]

text: NOTE: These stats NRL era only (1998 to present) Ranking: Teams are ranked in order of premierships won, grand final runners up then minor premierships won.

text:
Rank
Team
Premiership years
Runner-up years
Minor Premiers years

1
 Melbourne Storm
3 (1999, 2012, 2017)
3 (2006, 2008, 2016)
3 (2011, 2016, 2017)

2
 Brisbane Broncos
3 (1998, 2000, 2006)
1 (2015)
2 (1998, 2000)

3
 Sydney Roosters
2 (2002, 2013)
4 (2000, 2003, 2004, 2010)
4 (2004, 2013, 2014, 2015)

4
 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
2 (2008, 2011)
2 (2007, 2013)
0

5
 Canterbury Bulldogs
1 (2004)
3 (1998, 2012, 2014)
1 (2012)

6
 North Queensland Cowboys
1 (2015)
2 (2005, 2017)
0

7
 St. George Illawarra Dragons
1 (2010)
1 (1999)
2 (2009, 2010)

8
 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1 (2016)
0
1 (1999)

9
 Penrith Panthers
1 (2003)
0
1 (2003)

10
 Newcastle Knights
1 (2001)
0
0

 Wests Tigers
1 (2005)
0
0

 South Sydney Rabbitohs
1 (2014)
0
0

13
 Parramatta Eels
0
2 (2001, 2009)
2 (2001, 2005)

14
 New Zealand Warriors
0
2 (2002, 2011)
1 (2002)

15
 Canberra Raiders
0
0
0

 Gold Coast Titans
0
0
0

text: Players[edit]

text: National Rugby League footballers are among Australasia's most famous athletes, commanding multimillion-dollar playing contracts and sponsorship deals. Each club in the NRL has a "top squad" of twenty-five players, who are signed under a salary cap. For the most part, the players who play in NRL matches are sourced from these top squads. During a season the need may arise for a club to use players outside these 25, in which case players are usually sourced from the club's corresponding NRL Under 20's side or a feeder club in the New South Wales Cup or Queensland Cup.[32][33][34][35]

text: Demographics[edit]

text: In the recent years, the influence of Polynesian players on the NRL has grown, with figures from the 2011 season showing that 35% of NRL players and over 45% of NRL Under 20's players are of Polynesian background.[36] This increase in Polynesian players has been blamed for the decline of Indigenous players, dropping from 21% in the 1990s to 11% for the 2009 season.[37]

text: The first Indigenous Australian to play in the NSWRL/NRL was New South Wales Rugby League premiership player George Green, who debuted in 1909. Since that time, many high-profile indigenous athletes have played in the competition, including Arthur Beetson (the first Aborigine to captain an Australian national team in any sport[38]) and current Test match representatives Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis.

text: At the elite level of the game, Indigenous Australians represented 35% of the roster for the Kangaroos, 21% of players at the 2012 State of Origin series, 12% of NRL players and a further 8% of the NRL Under 20s players.[39] By way of comparison, 2.3% of the Australian population identified themselves as Indigenous in the 2006 Australian census.[40]

text: To celebrate the strong Indigenous ties to the game, the NRL holds a preseason All Stars game, featuring a team made up of Indigenous Australians playing a publicly voted team consisting of the non-Indigenous players, and an Indigenous Leadership Group has formed, consisting of the game's elite Indigenous players. The Leadership Group hosts regular multi-day camps where all Indigenous NRL players are invited to learn more about Indigenous culture.[41]

text: Both the All Stars match and the Leadership Group were ideas pioneered by former player Preston Campbell,[42] with the All Stars man of the match receiving the Preston Campbell medal.

text: Salary cap[edit]

text: A salary cap was introduced to the NSWRL in 1990 to even the playing field of teams in the Winfield Cup.[43] As of 2013 the club grant is $7.1 million which covers the salary cap of $5.85 million and a minimum wage for $80,000 for the top twenty-five players at each club.[44] The salary cap will increase to $6.3 million in 2014, $6.55 million in 2015, $6.8 million by 2016 and $7 million in 2017.[45]

text: The cap is actively policed[46] and penalties for clubs found to have breached the NRL salary cap regulations include fines of lesser of half the amount involved or $500,000 and/or deduction of premiership points. For example, six clubs were fined for minor infractions in 2003. These infractions are usually technical in nature, and can sometimes be affected by third-party factors such as loss of sponsorship revenue affecting an allowance. During the 2007 season the NRL implemented ways of creating a fair and more beneficial cap for players and clubs.

text: In 2010, following the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, the NRL introduced requirements for players and their agents to sign statutory declarations pledging their contracts comply with salary cap regulations, where previously only club chairmen and chief executives did so for biannual salary cap audits.[47]

text: Major breaches of the cap

text: In 2002, the Bulldogs were fined the maximum of $500,000 and deducted all 37 premiership points received during the season after it was found that they had committed serious and systematic breaches of the salary cap totalling $2.13 million over the past three years, including $750,000 in 2001 and $920,000 in 2002; these were described by NRL chief executive David Gallop as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". The points penalty meant that the club won the 2002 wooden spoon (Souths would have finished last if not for the breaches), and as the club had been leading the competition table prior to the imposition of the penalties, this was a shattering outcome for the club and its fans. Two senior club officials were jailed for fraud as a result of these breaches.

text: In 2005, the New Zealand Warriors were fined $430,000 and were ordered to start the 2006 season with a four premiership point deficit and cut their payroll by $450,000 after club officials revealed that their former management had exceeded the salary cap by $1.1 million over the last two years. The points penalty meant that the Warriors missed a finals berth in 2006.

text: On 22 April 2010, following revelations by an internal whistle blower and investigation by the NRL, Storm officials revealed that the club had committed serious and systematic breaches of the salary cap regulations between 2006 and 2010 by running a well-organized dual contract and bookkeeping system that concealed a total of $3.78 million in payments made to players outside of the salary cap from the NRL. This included: $303,000 in 2006, $459,000 in 2007, $957,000 in 2008, $1.021 million in 2009 and $1.04 million in 2010. As a result, the club was stripped of the 2007 and 2009 premierships, 2006–2008 minor premierships and the following year, the 2010 World Club Challenge trophy. They were also fined a then Australian sporting record of $1.689 million ($1.1 million in NRL prize money which was equally distributed between the remaining 15 clubs, $89,000 in prize money from the World Club Challenge which was distributed to the Leeds Rhinos, and a maximum of $500,000 for breaching the salary cap regulations). In addition they were ordered to cut their payroll by $1.0125 million, deducted all eight premiership points received during the 2010 season and barred from receiving premiership points for the remainder of the 2010 season. The points penalty meant that the club won the 2010 wooden spoon. The former directors attempted unsuccessful legal action against the penalties which collapsed, and the club also had to pay the NRLs legal costs. The matter was also referred to ASIC, the Australian Tax Office, the Victorian State Revenue Office, and the Victoria Police to investigate possible fraud however by May 2011 these investigations were closed.[48] The players themselves were found to have not done anything wrong during this time so individual awards are recognised in addition, the players were still eligible for Test/State of Origin selection.

text: Prior to the start of the 2016 NRL season, the Parramatta Eels faced the prospect with starting the season on -4 points due to salary cap indiscretions in 2015, however the NRL was satisfied with governance changes at the Eels and no points were deducted.[49] However, it was revealed in March that third-party payments had been made by several companies to several players, which is strictly prohibited in the NRL.[50] On 3 May 2016, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg announced that the club would be docked the twelve competition points they have accrued so far this season, as well as fined $1 million and stripped of the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines title it won in February.[51] In addition, the NRL also announced that the Eels would not be able to accrue any further competition points until they fall under the salary cap, which they were reported to be $500,000 over as of 3 May 2016.[52] Five officials, including chairman Steve Sharp, deputy chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao, chief executive John Boulous and football manager Daniel Anderson, were also sacked.[53] On 9 July, after over 2 months of club officials contesting the preliminary penalites, Parramatta were handed their punishment with the addition of their for/against points tally accumulated from rounds 1-9 being deducted.[54]

text: Recently, in 2018, Manly Sea-Eagles were fined $750,000, two officials (Neil Bare and Joe Kelly were suspended and a $660,000 penalty was applied to the salary cap for 2018 and the next year for breaches of the salary cap. Manly was proved by the NRL chief executive that third-party payments and deals were made to attract more players to the club.

text:
Judiciary and Integrity Unit
The NRL judiciary is made up of former players who convene in three-man panels to rule on on-field incidents. The judiciary is currently chaired by Wollongong district court judge Paul Conlon and made up of former players Mal Cochrane, Michael Buettner, Bradley Clyde, Sean Garlick, Don McKinnon and Bob Lindner.[55][56]

text: An integrity Unit was formed on 7 February 2013 and is headed by former Federal Court judge Tony Whitlam.[57]

text: Awards[edit]

text: Minor Premiership Winners[edit]

text: The Minor Premiership is a trophy awarded to the team finishing the season top of NRL in the sport of rugby league football.

text: Provan-Summons trophy[edit]

text: The Provan-Summons trophy is the NRL's main prize, awarded to the team that wins the premiership. Its sculptured design is similar to the Winfield Cup trophy, which was introduced for the 1982 NSWRFL season. It is a three-dimensional cast of a famous photo called The Gladiators,[58] which depicts a mud-soaked Norm Provan of St. George and Arthur Summons of Western Suburbs embracing after the 1963 NSWRFL season's Grand Final. It was not officially named the Provan-Summons Trophy until 2013, the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final.[59] The trophy is awarded following each grand final to the captain of the winning club.

text: Each player from the premiership winning side are also awarded Premiership Rings.

text: J. J. Giltinan Shield[edit]

text: Created in 1951, the J. J. Giltinan Shield is awarded to the club ranked highest on the NRL ladder after the premiership season concludes. Typically this team is known as the minor premiers.

text: Clive Churchill medal[edit]

text: The Clive Churchill Medal is awarded to the most outstanding player in a grand final. It is named after former Australian fullback Clive Churchill.

text: Dally M awards[edit]

text: The Dally M Medal is the highlight of the Dally M Awards and was named after Henry Herbert 'Dally' Messenger, who was instrumental in the establishment of rugby league football in Australia. The awards were introduced in 1980 by News Limited. The Dally M has been the official player-of-the-year award, and the highest individual honour in Australian rugby league, since the unification of the game in 1998. Before 1998 the highest award was the Rothmans Medal.

text: The medal is awarded, usually by the Australian Prime Minister, at the annual Dally M Awards night. As well as honouring the best and fairest player of the year, the Dally M awards recognise the premier player in each position, the best coach and the most outstanding rookie of the season.

text: The Immortals[edit]

text: The Immortals are eight players named by the sport's major Australian magazine Rugby League Week as the nation's greatest ever.

text: Established in 1981, the group consists of eight former Test captains: Arthur Beetson, Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis, Johnny Raper and Andrew Johns.

text: Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century[edit]

text: The Queensland Rugby League's Team of the Century is a team that consisted of the greatest rugby league players from 1909 to 2008. This team was picked by six judges in 2008 from a list of 100 nominated players.

text: New South Wales Rugby League's Team of the Century[edit]

text: The New South Wales Rugby League's Team of the Century is a team that consisted of the greatest rugby league players from 1908 to 2007.

text: Audience[edit]

text: The NRL provides six of the top seven and 78 of the top 100 programs on Australian subscription television.[60] In 2010 it was the sport with highest total cumulative audience on Australian television, with an aggregate audience of 120.6 million viewers.[61]

text: Television[edit]

text:
Television (2013–2017)
Within Australia all matches are broadcast on the Nine Network and on Fox Sports.[62] In New Zealand all matches, including representative fixtures such as the All Stars Match and the State of Origin series, are shown live on Sky Sport.[63][64]

text: The NRL is available to the rest of the world via either local television networks or online through the official Livestream NRL channel. In particular it is broadcast on Premier Sports in the United Kingdom, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Soccer Plus in the United States, Sportsnet in Canada and BeIN Sport in France.

text: Detailed Australian coverage

text:
Thursday Night Football starts at 7:50 pm and match shown on the Nine Network free-to-air television and Fox League.
Friday Night Football starts at 6:00 pm with the first match shown on Fox League. A second match, 7:55 pm is broadcast by both the Nine Network free-to-air television and Fox League.
Super Saturday includes one Intrust Super Premiership NSW, one Holden Cup afternoon game at 3:15 pm, followed by three NRL Telstra Premiership matches, the first at 3:00 pm followed by 5:30 pm and then 7:30 pm, all Super Saturday is televised 'live and add break free' on Fox League
NRL Sunday Ticket is a 2:00 pm match broadcast live on Fox League followed by a 4:00 pm match telecasted live on both Nine Network and Fox League
Note: Broadcast schedules and the number of games broadcast can also vary. This is dependent on the scheduling of matches for the New Zealand Warriors played in Auckland, New Zealand, byes during the middle of the season (where 2 or more teams don't play that weekend) and daylight saving time early in the season.
Normally, there is no Thursday football during bye-weeks.
Fox League telecasts all matches 'live and add break free' (excluding the Grand Final) whilst The Nine Network only shows the Thursday night game, and the second Friday and Sunday games.
The State of Origin series is shown live in every state on the Nine Network.
The NRL Grand Final is shown live in every state on the Nine Network, with New South Wales and Queensland receiving up to 10 hours of continuous pre-game and post-game coverage. The game is also shown live in New Zealand, with ratings improving since the introduction of a 7 pm (NZST) kick-off – plus in various other countries around the world via local broadcasters.

text: NRL-related television programs[edit]

text: In Australia there are television shows dedicated to discussing the NRL. The programs are listed in order of the day and time viewed in their primary broadcast market:

text:
Monday Night with Matty Johns (following Monday Night Football on Fox League 502). Hosted by Matthew Johns.
NRL 360 (Mondays-Wednesdays 6:30 pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Ben Ikin and Paul Kent.
On the Couch with Sterlo (Tuesdays 7:30 pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Peter Sterling.
League Life (Wednesdays 7:30pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Yvonne Sampson.
Queenslanders Only (Wednesdays 8:00pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock. (Airs at 7:00pm Queensland time during the month of March due to NSW Daylight Saving Time)
13 to 1 (Thursdays 6:30pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Tara Rushton & Braith Anasta.
The Footy Show (Thursday 10:00 pm on Channel Nine). A variety show hosted by Paul Vautin, Darryl Brohman, Beau Ryan and Erin Molan.
The Late Show with Matty Johns (Thursdays 10:00 pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Matthew Johns.
Barefoot Sports (Thursday 8:30 pm on NITV) Hosted by Brad Cooke and formerly known as The Barefoot Rugby League Show.
The Professor's Second Year Syndrome (Fridays 10:00pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by James ‘The Professor’ Rochford.
The Sunday Footy Show (Sunday 11.00 am on Channel Nine): a recap of Friday and Saturday's games, and preview of Sunday's games.
League Legends (Sundays 6:30pm on Fox League 502). Hosted by Tim Sheridan.

text: Former shows:

text:
One Week at a Time (Mondays, at 9.30 pm, on One), recapping the weekend games
The Game Plan (Thursday 8:30 pm, on Channel Ten) Hosted by Steve Roach, Joel Caine and Andrew Moore.
The Matty Johns Show (Thursdays, 7.30 pm on Channel Seven) A more sketch-and-regular-segment-oriented version of The Footy Show and The Game Plan, not related to Monday Night with Matty Johns.
The Sunday Roast (Sunday Midday on Channel Nine) Now incorporated into the Sunday Footy Show.
NRL Full-time, a weekly half-hour highlights show for the UK audience.

text:
Internet and new media
Replays of all matches, as well as highlights, are available in Australia from the official NRL LIVE app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone mobile operating systems.[65] Outside of Australia, all matches are available in high definition via the official Livestream NRL channel.[66]

text:
Radio coverage
The NRL has several exclusive rights partners to broadcast matches live via radio nationwide. FM coverage is provided by Triple M while AM coverage is contracted to ABC Local Radio and 2GB. All radio coverage is available to be streamed live from the NRL website.

text: 2GB 873AM Radio has the commercial rights to one Friday night match, the 5:30 pm Saturday game, and the 2 pm Sunday match, covering the game through the Continuous Call Team program.[67] 2GB also air representative games, as well as all matches throughout the finals series, and all three matches on Grand Final day. The coverage is networked to stations across the country, typically those owned by Southern Cross Media Group, Grant Broadcasters and other station groups on the Macquarie Radio Network.

text: ABC Local Radio has the rights to all NRL matches in the ACT, Queensland and New South Wales except Monday night games. Exceptions to this include Monday night games of regional teams including the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders, those games still air on their respective local ABC stations.

text: Triple M has exclusive access to Thursday night, Sunday 3 pm, Sunday night and Monday night matches and is broadcast on commercial stations across the country.[67] Triple M will also broadcast the State of Origin series, the finals series and the Grand Final.[68]

text:
Print
In print media, there are two major magazines: Rugby League Week is produced by ACP Magazines and is generally released on Mondays between rounds; Big League is the competition's official publication, released Thursday and produced by News Magazines. Other News Magazines publications, ALPHA Magazine, regularly publishes league-related stories and interviews, as well as Rugby League Review, a newspaper that reviews the last month.

text: Theme songs[edit]

text:
1985–1988: The Boys Are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
1989: What You Get Is What You See – Tina Turner
1990–1995: Simply The Best – Tina Turner
1997 (SL): Two Tribes – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
1997 (ARL): It's My Game – NSWRL
1998: Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
1999: Blow That Whistle – Thomas Keneally
2000: What A Game – Tom Jones
2001: Racing Car Noises over Action Highlights
2003–2007: That's My Team – Hoodoo Gurus

2008: Centenary of Rugby League Campaign
2009: Feels Like Woah – Wes Carr
2010: Social Currency – Children Collide
2011–2012: This Is Our House – Bon Jovi[69]
2013: Something's Got a Hold on Me – Jessica Mauboy
2014: My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy
2015: Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams
2016: History Happens
2017: Let's Make History
2018: Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragons

text: Video games[edit]

text: There have been many top selling video games made for the Australian rugby league market. The games below are sorted by year released.

text:
E.T.'s Rugby League, named for Andrew Ettingshausen, was released on Amiga in 1992.
Australian Rugby League (1995) for Sega Mega Drive
ARL '96 was a PC game published by EA Sports for the 1996 season.
Rugby League (2003) for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
Rugby League 2 (2005) for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
Rugby League 2: World Cup Edition (2008) for PlayStation 2
NRL Mascot Mania (2009) for Nintendo DS
Rugby League Challenge (2009) for PlayStation Portable
Rugby League 3 (2010) for Wii
Rugby League Live (2010) for PlayStation 3 Xbox 360; (2011) for Microsoft Windows
Rugby League Live 2 (2012) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Rugby League Legends (2012) iOS[70]
Rugby League Live 2: World Cup Edition (2013) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Rugby League Live 3 (2015) for Steam, Play Station 3, Xbox 360, Play Station 4 and Xbox One
Rugby League Live 4 (2017) for Steam, Play Station 3, Xbox 360, Play Station 4 and Xbox One

text: Cheerleading[edit]

text: The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league competition with teams in the Australia and New Zealand. Most teams has a squad of dancers for cheerleading that are usually involved in dancing, charity work, fundraisers, and modelling. Some Notable NRL cheerleaders are Jennifer Hawkins for the Newcastle Knights, Chloe Butler for the Emeralds and Tabrett Bethell for the Cronulla Sharks Mermaids.

text: Cheer Squads[edit]

text:
Name
NRL Club

Hog's Breath Cafe Broncos Cheer Squad[71]
Brisbane Broncos

The Emeralds[72][73]
Canberra Raiders

The Sapphires[74]
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Cronulla Sharks Mermaids[75][76]
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Gold Coast Hogs Breath Cafe Sirens[77][78]
Gold Coast Titans

Manly Seabirds[79][80][81]
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Melbourne Storm Cheerleaders[82]
Melbourne Storm

Newcastle Knights Cheerleaders[83]
Newcastle Knights

North Queensland Cowgirls Spirit[84]
North Queensland Cowboys

Parramatta Eels Cheerleaders[85]
Parramatta Eels

Penrith Pantherettes[86][87]
Penrith Panthers

St George-Illawarra Flames[88][89]
St. George Illawarra Dragons

The Roosters Girls[90][91]
Sydney Roosters

text: Records[edit]

text: Official NRL statistics encompass all first grade competitions, namely the New South Wales Rugby League, Australian Rugby League, Super League, and the present day NRL.

text: Team[edit]

text:
Most premierships – 21 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Most minor premierships – 19 Sydney Roosters
Most wooden spoons – 17 Western Suburbs Magpies
Largest winning margin in a game – 85, St. George against Canterbury (1935)
Highest score in a game – 91, St. George against Canterbury (1935)
Longest winning streak – 19 matches, Eastern Suburbs Roosters (1975)
Longest undefeated streak – 35 matches, Eastern Suburbs Tricolours (1935–1938)
Longest losing streak- 42 matches, University (1934–1936)

text: Individual[edit]

text:
Most games played – Cameron Smith 358 games
Leading pointscorer – Hazem El Masri 2,418 points (159 tries, 891 goals) (1996–2009)
Leading tryscorer – Ken Irvine, 212 tries
Most points in a season 342, Hazem El Masri (16 tries, 139 goals) (2004)
Most tries in a season 38, Dave Brown (1935)
Most points in a game 45, Dave Brown (1935).
Most tries in a game 8, Frank Burge (1920)

text: Match officials[edit]

text: Former Parramatta, St. Helens and New Zealand Warriors coach Daniel Anderson was appointed to the position of referee's high performance manager, taking over from former referee Bill Harrigan.[92][93]

text: Coaching staff

text:
Daniel Anderson
Russell Smith
Tony Archer
Bernie Sutton

text: Referees

text:
Grant Atkins
 Gavin Badger
 Chris Butler
 Matt Cecchin
 Ben Cummins
 Adam Devcich
 Adam Gee

 Tim Roby
 Peter Gough
 Chris James
 Ashley Klein
 Dave Munro
 Matt Noyen
 Henry Perenara

 Gavin Reynolds
 Jason Robinson
 Alan Shortall
 Jon Stone
 Chris Sutton
 Gerard Sutton
 Brett Suttor

text: 'The Bunker' Video Referees

text:
Steve Chiddy
 Ben Galea
 Jared Maxwell
 Luke Patten
 Bernard Sutton

text: Sponsorship[edit]

text: The NRL and its clubs receive significant revenue from sponsorships, with sponsors' logos appearing on most parts of players' and referees' uniforms, the playing surface and even the ball itself. Since 2001, the National Rugby League premiership has been sponsored by Telstra and known as the 'NRL Telstra Premiership'; in earlier seasons, it was simply known as the 'National Rugby League'.[94]

text: The Telstra Premiership has had four competition logos since 2001. The first, lasting only through the 2001 regular season, was the Telstra logo with an elongated circle enclosing the word Premiership. From the Finals series of 2001 through to the end of 2006 the logo was based around the shape of a football, with the words Telstra Premiership on respective lines along the bottom, culminating with a small football similar to the one in the official NRL logo at the peak. The main colours were dark blue and orange, the corporate colours of Telstra. The company worked with the NRL to create the third logo (pictured) for the 2007 season onward as part of a new sponsorship deal. This logo was quite similar to the original National Rugby League emblem. From the 2011 Finals Series, a newer logo was commissioned in concert with a corporate re-brand undertaken by Telstra. The 2007 logo remained on club jerseys until 2012 due to the lateness of the change and was phased out in time for the 2013 NRL Season. From 2013, under a dramatic image rebranding of the competition, the Telstra Premiership logo was changed in conjunction with a new sponsorship deal to incorporate the key elements of rugby league in Australia to include the shield and chevrons, the green and gold, a red "Telstra" logo perched above the top of the shield and for the first time the iconic Provan-Summons trophy awarded to the premiers at the end of the season centred in the middle of the badge.

text: Other notable sponsorships include Steeden Official ball supplier Holden for the Under 20s National Youth Competition (also known as the Holden Cup); The Holden State of Origin series and the Australian Test matches (Holden Kangaroos), Holden (official car of the NRL), Coca-Cola Amatil (match ball), AAMI (referees), Harvey Norman (video referees), Victoria Bitter(official beer of the NRL), Bundaberg Rum (Friday Night Football), Keno (Saturday Football), Webjet (Travel Partner) and Home Timber and Hardware (Sunday Football).[95]


document_title: A River Runs Through It (film)

question_text: where does a river runs through it take place

root

text: A River Runs Through It (film)

text: Plot[edit]

text: The film follows the true story of the Maclean brothers, Norman and Paul, growing up in Missoula, Montana with their father, Presbyterian minister John. A common theme in the film is the men's love of fly fishing for trout in the Blackfoot River and how it impacted their lives. The film is told from Norman's point of view, with director Robert Redford as narrator.

tag: p

text: The film opens with a scene of Norman Maclean in his old age tying a fly onto his line. This establishes that Norman is telling this story in the past-tense as he is fishing.

text: The story begins with the brothers learning to fish from their father, a preacher who treats fishing as a sacred act. They learn to cast using a ticking metronome. The boys become accomplished fishermen as a result. Norman and Paul are home taught and must adhere to the strict moral and educational code of their father. However, whenever they get a chance they enjoy practicing the art of fly fishing. As they grow older, it becomes clear that Norman is the more disciplined and studious brother, while Paul is the fun loving, wild one and the more talented fly fisherman.

text: Norman attends a July 4th dance with his friends after returning home from six years away at Dartmouth, where he meets his future wife, Jessie Burns. Paul has become a reporter at a newspaper in Helena, the state capital. He has angered many of the locals by falling behind in a big poker game at Lolo, a hamlet near Missoula with a popular bar that is also a front for gambling and prostitution, and by dating a beautiful Blackfoot Indian woman, Mabel, who is deemed to be of an inferior race by the community. Paul gets arrested after fighting a man who has insulted her, and Norman is awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from the police to come and bail Paul out of jail.

text: After Norman and Jessie go on several dates, she insists that Norman make an effort to get along with her brother Neal, who is back in Montana, visiting from California. Norman and Paul do not like the self-centered Neal, who tells tall tales of socializing with film stars in Hollywood, but at Jessie's insistence they invite him to go fishing. Neal shows up drunk with a woman (a part-time prostitute) he met at a bar the evening before. Norman and Paul decide to fish anyway and return to their car hours later to find Neal and his ladyfriend "Rawhide" have drunk all their beer and passed out naked in the sun.

text: Norman returns a painfully sunburned Neal home, where Jessie is waiting for them. She is angry that the brothers did not fish with Neal. When Norman asks Jessie to drive him home, he tells her that he is falling for her. She drives away angry but a week later asks Norman to come to the train station to see Neal off back to California. After the train departs, Norman shows Jessie a letter from the University of Chicago that is a job offer for an English Literature teaching position. Norman asks Jessie to marry him.

text: When Norman tells Paul about the job offer and marriage proposal, he also urges Paul to come with him and Jessie to Chicago. Paul tells Norman that he will never leave Montana. Just before leaving for Chicago, Norman, Paul and their father go fly fishing one last time as a family. Paul catches a huge fish that carries him down the river. John proudly tells his son Paul what a wonderful fisherman he has become, and how he is an artist in the craft, much to Paul's delight. They pose for pictures with the huge fish for their mother.

text: Soon after the fishing excursion, Norman is again contacted by the police. They tell him that Paul has been found beaten to death in an alley, and that all the bones in his right hand have also been broken. Norman goes home and tells his parents the sad news. The story then jumps ahead a few years to a sermon being given by John with Mrs. Maclean, Norman, Jessie and their two children in attendance. The narrator mentions that John dies soon after this sermon. The last scene is of Norman as an old man, back in the Montana river where he used to fish with his family many years ago. He mentions that nearly everyone from his youth is dead, and that he is haunted by waters.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Craig Sheffer as Norman Maclean
Brad Pitt as Paul Maclean
Tom Skerritt as Reverend John Maclean
Brenda Blethyn as Clara Maclean
Emily Lloyd as Jessie Burns
Stephen Shellen as Neal Burns
Edie McClurg as Mrs. Burns
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Young Norman Maclean
Vann Gravage as Young Paul Maclean
Nicole Burdette as Mabel
Susan Traylor as "Rawhide"
Michael Cudlitz as Chub
Rob Cox as Conroy
Buck Simmonds as Humph

tag: ul

text: Production[edit]

text: Filming[edit]

text: Although both the book and movie are set in Missoula and on the Blackfoot River, it was filmed in late June, early July 1991 in south central Montana in Livingston and Bozeman,[2] and on the nearby upper Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Boulder Rivers. The waterfall shown is Granite Falls in Wyoming.[3][4] Filming was completed in early September 1991.

text: An article published in the Helena Independent Record in July 2000 and based on recollections of people who knew both brothers noted a number of specifics about the Macleans — notably various chronological and educational details about Paul Maclean's adult life — that differ somewhat from their portrayal in the film and novella.[5]

text: Music[edit]

text: Mark Isham, who would go on to compose the scores to most Robert Redford-directed films, composed the musical score for the film. Originally, Elmer Bernstein was hired to score the film. However, after Redford and Bernstein disagreed over the tone of the music, Bernstein was replaced by Isham.[6] Rushed for time, Isham completed the score within four weeks at Schnee Studio of Signet Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA. Upon release, the music was met with positive reviews earning the film both nominations for Grammy and Academy awards. The A River Runs Through It (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) was released on October 27, 1992.[7]

text: In some home video releases of the film, Elmer Bernstein is credited as the film's composer despite his score being rejected during post-production.

text: Release[edit]

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: Released on October 9, 1992, the film grossed $43,440,294 in US domestic returns.[1] The film holds an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on polled critical reviews. The site's consensus reads: "Tasteful to a fault, this period drama combines a talented cast (including a young Brad Pitt) with some stately, beautifully filmed work from director Robert Redford."[8] Much of the praise focused on Pitt's portrayal of Paul, which has been cited as his career making performance.[9]

text: Awards and honors[edit]

text: The film was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1993, including Best Cinematography (Philippe Rousselot); Best Music, Original Score (Mark Isham); and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Richard Friedenberg). Rousselot won for Best Cinematography. At the Golden Globes, Robert Redford was nominated for Best Director - Motion Picture, but did not win.


document_title: A Cowgirl's Story

question_text: who plays dusty in a cowgirl's story

question_tokens: who plays dusty in a cowgirl 's story

text: A Cowgirl's Story

text: The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for films. Please help to establish notability by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond its mere trivial mention. If notability cannot be established, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted.Find sources: "A Cowgirl's Story" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

tag: table

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text:
A Cowgirl's Story
Directed by
Timothy ArmstrongProduced by

Bailee Madison
Carlos De Mattos
Marcos De Mattos
Written by
Timothy ArmstrongStarring

Bailee Madison
Pat Boone
Chloe Lukasiak
Aidan Alexander
Froy Gutierrez
James C. Victor
Alicia Coppola
Cinematography
Matthias SaundersEdited by
Tyler PurcellProductioncompany

Cinemills Media
Rodeo Films
Bailee Madison Productions
Distributed by
Samuel Goldwyn FilmsRelease date
April 18, 2017 (2017-04-18)

Running time
98 minutesCountry
United StatesLanguage
English

text: A Cowgirl's Story is a 2017 American family film written and directed by Timothy Armstrong and starring Bailee Madison, Chloe Lukasiak and Pat Boone.

text: Plot[edit]

text: Seventeen year old Dusty Rhodes (Bailee Madison) goes to live with her grandfather (Pat Boone) because both of her Army parents are fighting in the Afghanistan war. Dusty attends a new high school where she makes friends with a group that includes Savanah (Chloe Lukasiak), a goth girl whose late father also served in the Army. Dusty convinces her new friends into forming an equestrian drill team that allows them to perform at rodeos and parades. Dusty's world is turned upside down by the war when her mother's helicopter is shot down in action and she goes missing. To cope with her fear and helplessness, Dusty enlists the help of her grandfather and friends to put on a special riding performance for her parents and all of the soldiers fighting overseas. The entire town turns out in support of the event, and it becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Bailee Madison as Dusty Rhodes
Pat Boone as Grandpa Rhodes
Chloe Lukasiak as Savanah Stocker
Aidan Alexander as Trevor
Froy Gutierrez as Jason
James C. Victor as Randall Rhodes
Alicia Coppola as Lt. Helen Rhodes


document_title: Donald Fisher (Home and Away)

question_text: who was donald fisher married to in home and away

text: Donald Fisher (Home and Away)

text:
Donald Fisher

Home and Away character

Portrayed by
Norman Coburn

Duration
1988–2005, 2007

First appearance
17 January 1988

Last appearance
11 September 2007

Introduced by
Alan Bateman (1988)
Julie McGuaran (2003–05)
Cameron Welsh (2007)

Book appearances
The Bobby Simpson Story
Scandal at Summer Bay

Classification
Former; regular

Profile

Occupation
Deputy Principal of Summer Bay High
Principal of Summer Bay High
Retired

Home
Whitsunday Islands

[show]Family

Mother
Isobel Du Pre

Brothers
Clive Fisher

Sisters
Mary Croft

Wife
Barbara Stewart (1970s–1984)
Marilyn Chambers (1996–2001)
June Reynolds (2003–07)

Sons
Alan Fisher
Byron Fisher

Daughters
Rebecca Nash
Bobby Marshall

Grandsons
Seb Miller

Nephews
David Croft

Nieces
Lucinda Croft

Other relatives
Tamara Simpson

text: Donald Fisher is a fictional character in the Australian television soap opera Home and Away played by actor Norman Coburn as a regular character, from the soap's inception in 1988 to 2003. He acts as the main antagonist in the show's pilot episode, willing to go to any lengths to ensure local teen Bobby Simpson is locked up, however his character soon softens. He spends almost his entire tenure on the show as the Principal of Summer Bay (at which he is given his iconic nickname "Flathead"), where he is stern but fair to all the students. Although departing as a main character in 2003, Coburn has since returned for brief appearances in 2004, 2005 and 2007. Coburn's long-running portrayal of Fisher earned him a place in the 2002 Guinness World Records alongside castmates Ray Meagher and Kate Ritchie.[1] as the longest serving cast member of an Australian soap opera.

text: Storylines[edit]

text: Donald is first seen when he arrives at the Caravan Park of Summer Bay House and informs Neville McPhee (Frank Lloyd) that he was recently burgled and it is clear that he suspects local tearaway Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson) of being the culprit. Donald welcomes the Fletcher family, on their arrival to Summer Bay and inadvertently manages to scare young Sally Keating (Kate Ritchie).

text: Donald later is accused of poisoning Eric, the Fletcher's pet dog, and Jessie, Nico Pappas)' (Nicholas Papademetriou) cow, but these deeds are later revealed to be those of Donald's superior, Walter Bertram (Owen Weingott), who had been running around in the guise of "The Nutter", following a brain tumour. With Walter out of action, Donald is promoted to headmaster of Summer Bay High.

text: When Donald's ex-wife Barbara (Barbara Stevens) arrives to take a teaching post at the school, he is surprised and when their son Alan (Simon Kay) arrives to repeat Year 12, Donald becomes stressed as his relationship with Alan has deteriorated in the four years since they last saw each other. Alan begins acting up at school but Donald softens when he finds out Alan has a brain tumour, but lashes out when Alan provokes him one day. Just when it seems father and son have patched things up, Alan dies of an aneurysm.

text: At the start of 1989, Bobby begins searching for her biological parents. Donald, after finding out his former sister-in-law, Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) is Bobby's mother, visits Morag in hospital and asks if he is Bobby's father. Morag confirms he is but Donald wants this kept a secret. After Donald refuses to sell his house to the Macklin development at Morag's suggestion, she threatens to tell Bobby the truth. Donald remains unflappable and refuses to change his stance on the matter. After the truth comes out, Donald and Bobby have a shaky start but ultimately become close and she begins calling him "Dad".

text: The following Year, Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley) dies and Donald offers support to his widow, Pippa (Vanessa Downing). Donald soon begins making romantic advances but is rebuffed. When Lucinda Croft (Dee Smart), Donald's niece arrives, he is quick to play matchmaker between her and local constable Nick Parrish (Bruce Roberts). After Nick's relationship with Lou fizzles out, Donald and Nick remain friends after Nick stays on in the house with his wayward teenage brother, Shane (Dieter Brummer). Donald later becomes the guardian of teenage runaway Angel Brooks (Melissa George), who later begins dating Shane.

text: Donald's world is shattered when Bobby dies in a boating accident aged 22 and tries to take responsibility for his adoptive grandson, Sam Marshall (Ryan Clark (who calls him "Uncle Donald") but is unable to so sends him to live with Pippa and her new husband. Fisher celebrates his 50th birthday in February 1995. When Shane and Angel marry, Donald is present to give Angel away. Later that year Donald loses his home and his last remaining photos of Bobby in a bushfire caused by Jack Wilson (Daniel Amalm).

text: Donald begins dating local beautician Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons), and they later become engaged despite Marilyn being 27 years old and him being 51. They eventually marry in 1996. Shortly after the wedding, Donald's daughter Rebecca (Belinda Emmett) returns to the Bay full-time to teach at the school. When Rebecca marries Travis Nash (Nic Testoni) on the beach in the 1997 season finale, Donald is present as celebrant. After Pippa leaves, Donald becomes Sam's guardian when he fails to adjust to Travis and Rebecca as his new foster parents

text: Marilyn later falls pregnant and gives birth to a son, Byron Vincent, named after Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) who illegally sped through traffic to get Marilyn to hospital. After suffering from post-natal depression and left Donald alone with Byron. When Marilyn returns a few months later, she feels inadequate as Donald has hired Nanny Ellen Porter (Anne Grigg) but later grow to love Byron. This is only to last a few months as Byron is diagnosed with cancer. The Fishers leave with Byron for America to get treatment, but Byron later dies. Marilyn, unable to cope, leaves Donald and he returns to Australia alone.

text: In 2000, Donald is pleased to be given the honour of walking Sally down the aisle at her wedding to Keiran Fletcher but ultimately hands the honour over to Sally's foster brothers Steven Matheson and Frank Morgan. When the 2000 Olympics begin Donald has the honour of carrying the Olympic torch through Summer Bay, but has it switched with a fake by several students. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) notices and tells him "Don, stop! It's the wrong flamin' flame!". Following Sam's departure, Donald feels alone again. Seb Miller (Mitch Firth), a dyslexic student, began questioning Fisher and asking questions about Alan. It is later revealed Seb's mother Anna (Elizabeth Maywald) had a one-night stand with Alan at a party in 1985, resulting in Seb's conception, and Anna, who had been dying had wanted to tell Donald. Donald does not want to believe this at first but a DNA test confirms Seb is, in fact, his grandson. Donald and Seb later build a close relationship and live together. Later in the year, Donald goes to London along with Irene and her foster children, Will (Zac Drayson), Hayley (Bec Cartwright) and Nick Smith (Chris Egan) to attend the launch of his book Letter to Byron. While there, Donald notices Marilyn watching from the shadows and runs after her. After catching up with Marilyn, the two have a conversation about the events of the last several years and agree to part amicably.

text: In 2003, Donald decides to retire from teaching and leaves the Bay for the Whitsundays with his new partner, June Reynolds (Rowena Wallace). Later that year, Donald returns to be the celebrant at Sally's wedding to local doctor, Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy).

text: Donald returns when he hears Seb and his girlfriend Jade Sutherland (Kate Garven) were injured in a car crash caused by Duncan (Brendan McKensy), Alf's son and Seb's first cousin removed. Seb is left paralysed and Donald offers to fly him back to the Whitsundays and look after him. Donald also returns in 2005 for Alf's 60th birthday party where he forgives Duncan after he apologizes about the accident he caused the previous year. In late 2007, Donald returns to Summer Bay as the new Vice Principal of Summer Bay (ironically working for Sally, who served under him during his tenure as Principal) but he soon resigns, saying that he cannot handle the students anymore. Donald reveals he has since divorced June and has gone bankrupt. After borrowing some money from Alf and Morag, Donald goes to visit his former wife, Marilyn, in England after learning she is suffering from cancer.

text: Reception[edit]

text: The episode featuring the earthquake where Donald and several other students were at risk in the school was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Award.[2] The episode featuring Donald facing backlash over allowing Marat/Sade to be performed at the school won writer Linda Stainton the Australian Writers Guild Award in 1998.[3] Channel 5 chose Donald's wedding to Marilyn, Donald's disappearance at sea, his departure and 2007 return among their best episodes.[4][5][6][7]

text: Brian Courtis of The Age criticized Donald's exit in 2003: "Don certainly merited more than this teary-eyed, Goodbye-Mr-Chips dismissal. Old "Flathead", never happy at the cheeriest of times, has reason to look sad and sorry in his farewell episode of Home And Away (7pm, Seven). It is sloppy, sentimental, touching... showing almost unspeakable verisimilitude to real life. There is a last dollop of poetry for his final class of kids, an endless minor-key tinkling of the piano as Fisher's groper-wide mouth gulps at the thought of leaving his beloved waters, and then, with students, staff and locals, the big, emotional, surprise farewell party before he tootles off to Queensland, Valhalla of all Australian soapie greats." [8] Virgin Media described Donald as having "a fearsome demeanor" and "always had the interests of his pupils at heart."[9]