March 14: El Magic breaks Joey's record; Stewart betters 'Beaver'
On this day, Hazem El Masri claims Andrew Johns' point-scoring crown, former Manly golden boy Jack Elsegood signs with the Roosters and former Titans winger Jordan Atkins steals the show with a stunning first-grade debut.
1997
Banned by a court ruling from playing with Super League, former Manly star Jack Elsegood signs a one‑year deal with the Roosters. Under the terms of the court's decision, Super League has to pay Elsegood $190,000 to play for the Roosters. He played 77 games for the Roosters before retiring after the 2000 season.
1998
In a sign of things to come, Melbourne score a 14-12 win over the Illawarra Steelers in their NRL debut at WIN Stadium. Five-eighth Scott Hill scores the Storm’s first premiership try. By the end of the following season, Melbourne had shocked the rugby league world by upstaging joint venture pioneers St George Illawarra in a controversial come-from-behind grand final win.
2008
Winger Jordan Atkins becomes the first player in 66 years to score four tries on debut in a show-stealing performance that propels the Titans to a 36-18 home win over North Queensland. Atkins played 28 games in three seasons with the Titans before joining the Eels.
After 12 games with Parramatta, he returned to Gold Coast for two games in 2013 before spending a season with the London Broncos and retiring in 2014.
2009
Bulldogs fan favourite Hazem El Masri breaks Andrew Johns’ premiership point-scoring record with a perfect goalkicking display in treacherous conditions. 'El Magic' lands seven goals from seven attempts as the Bulldogs upset defending premiers Manly 34-12. It marks the first time the previous season's wooden spooners have beaten the defending premiers in a season-opening game.
2015
Brett Stewart crosses for two tries in Manly’s 24-22 home win over Melbourne, eclipsing former teammate Steve Menzies’ record of 78 tries at Brookvale Oval. Stewart ultimately racks up 233 games with the Sea Eagles, scoring 163 tries before drawing the curtain on his career in 2016.
Snake becomes 'The Prince'
His try tally places him sixth on the all-time list behind Ken Irvine (212), Billy Slater (190), Menzies (180), Andrew Ettingshausen (165) and Terry Lamb (164).
2019
The Melbourne Storm claim their 17th consecutive round one victory when they outlast the Broncos 22-12 in the first game of the season at AAMI Park. Jahrome Hughes, Curtis Scott, Kenny Bromwich and Jesse Bromwich score tries for the Storm.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton
