May 12: Six-again call introduced; Jets and Saints make history
On this day, history is made with a field-goal win by Newtown, the Broncos fend off a mighty offer from Melbourne for Anthony Milford's services and the six-again call is introduced.
1973
Newtown replacement halfback Ken Wilson etches his name in the history books when he lands a 68th minute field goal to secure a 1-0 victory over St George at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is the first (and only) 1-0 score in the history of the premiership.
1976
A wild brawl erupts in an Amco Cup clash between Newtown and Norths at Leichhardt Oval. Three players are sent off and a further three cited by the NSWRL judiciary. It is the first time the video is used to highlight incidents of foul play.
2002
NSW selectors name eight debutants in the 17-man squad for the opening State of Origin match. The newcomers are Brett Hodgson, Timana Tahu, Danny Buderus, Jamie Lyon, Jason Moodie, Steve Simpson, Luke Bailey and Braith Anasta.
2008
Former Test winger Wendell Sailor trains with his new St George Illawarra team-mates for the first time - a day after his two-year ban for drug use officially draws to an end.
2017
Manly CEO Tim Cleary quits after just six months in the job. Meantime, at the Broncos they fight off a lucrative offer from Storm for Anthony Milford, re-signing him at Red Hill on a $4 million deal until the end of 2021.
2019
The inaugural Magic Round concludes with the Bunnies proving too good for the Cowboys 32-16. In the early match the Roosters outlasted Canberra 30-24 in a thrilling clash which would turn out to be a preview of the grand final. The Raiders trailed 30-6 with 30 minutes to go but tries to Charnze Nicoll- Klokstad, Jack Wighton and Michael Oldfield set up a grandstand finish. A neck injury to winger Daniel Tupou put a dampener on the Roosters celebrations.
2020
The Queensland Government insists NRL players who refuse to take a flu vaccination will not be allowed to play in Queensland. Titans pair Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly are immediately stood down from training, while the edict has ramifications for up to 20 players across the NRL who have signed a waiver to avoid the injection. Queensland’s chief health officer, Jeannette Young said players would only be granted exemptions on medical grounds.
The ARL Commission decides to revert to a one-referee model for the remainder of the 2020 season in a bid to cut costs. And in an effort to speed up the game, the Commission decides to introduce a six-again rule that will allow referees to restart the tackle count for ruck infringements, rather than hold up the game for a penalty. Persistent ruck infringements and professional fouls will result in players being sent to the sin bin. The rule changes were unanimously opposed by senior NRL players in a phone hook-up after they were proposed on May 8.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
