September 17: Locky shows true grit; Saints go marching in again
On this day in rugby league history, the Saints go marching in for an 11th time, a takeover bid for South Sydney and the first drawn grand final.
1966
St George won their 11th straight premiership title with a powerful 23-4 defeat of Balmain in the grand final.
1977
Parramatta and St George fought out the first drawn grand final in premiership history. Parramatta hit back from 9-0 down to draw level at 9-all. Twenty minutes of extra-time couldn't separate the sides and they were forced to replay the match a week later, with St George prevailing 22-0.
1977
'Lord Ted' scores a ripper
1997
The new Super League announced their new Melbourne franchise was to be known as “Melbourne Storm”.
2005
Nine News revealed that actor Russell Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes a Court had made a multi-million takeover bid for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
2007
The Men of League organisation announced the “Toughest 12”, the dozen players rated the toughest to have played the game over the past 50 years. The players named were: Kevin Ryan, Shane Webcke, Noel Kelly, John Sattler, Malcolm Reilly, Ray Price, John O’Neill, Mal Meninga, Geoff Toovey, Terry Randall, Trevor Gillmeister and Tom Raudonikis.
2011
In his final game in his home state, Brisbane star Darren Lockyer suffered a fractured cheekbone in an accidental collision with team-mate Gerard Beale but played on and lands a field goal in extra-time to propel the Broncos to a fairytale 13-12 victory over St George Illawarra.
2016
Injured Canberra pair Josh Hodgson (ankle) and Blake Austin (hand) were passed fit to play in the Raiders’ semi-final against Penrith and both play prominent roles in the 22-12 victory which elevates Canberra to a preliminary final for the first time since 1997.
2019
High-profile St George Illawarra NRLW recruit Teuila Fotu-Moala is suspended for the remainder of the NRLW season after she is found guilty of a grade two dangerous tackle charge (crusher tackle).
2020
Last-placed Canterbury upset South Sydney 26-16 at ANZ Stadium to leave the Broncos in danger of being lumbered with the wooden spoon for the first time in the club’s 33-year history.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
