October 3: Bulldogs are champs; Panthers break 18-year drought
On this day, the Kangaroos played their first ever match in 1908, the Bulldogs savour grand final glory and the Panthers sneak past the Rabbitohs in the first ever decider played at Suncorp Stadium.
1908
The Kangaroos play their first match, beating Welsh side Mid-Rhondda 20-6 at Tonypandy. A crowd reportedly between 7000 and 8000 are enthralled by the war cry of the tourists.
1989
Phil Gould parts company with Canterbury, leaving the way clear for Bulldogs’ favourite son Chris Anderson to take over as first grade coach.
2001
Australia’s most capped Test player Mal Meninga calls for Andrew Johns to be crowned Test captain once Brad Fittler retires from representative football.
2001
The Northern Eagles are officially wound up at a board meeting.
2002
Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri is honoured for his contribution to community issues when he is presented the Ken Stephen Medal at the NRL’s grand final breakfast.
2004
The Bulldogs claim their first premiership in nine years with a 16-13 win over the Sydney Roosters in a gripping grand final at Telstra Stadium. Second-rower Willie Mason wins the Clive Churchill Medal. Roosters captain Brad Fittler bows out of rugby league after 16 extraordinary seasons.
2005
Wests Tigers captain Scott Prince caps a remarkable weekend when he is named in Australia’s Tri-Nations squad. Prince joins Matt King and Luke O’Donnell as newcomers to the 23-man squad. Darren Lockyer retains the captaincy ahead of Andrew Johns.
2010
St George Illawarra achieve their breakthrough grand final victory, defeating the Sydney Roosters 32-8 at ANZ Stadium. It is the first premiership win for the St George district in 31 years and the first in Illawarra’s history. Dragons fullback Darius Boyd is named Clive Churchill Medal winner.
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2011
Dally M rookie of the year Daly Cherry-Evans continues his remarkable rise to prominence in 2011 when he is named in Australia’s squad for the Four Nations series. Cherry-Evans joins five other newcomers including Keith Galloway, Corey Parker, David Taylor, Akuila Uate and Tony Williams in the 24-man squad.
2015
South Sydney sign deputy Canterbury hooker Damien Cook to a two-year deal.
2017
Mal Meninga names seven newcomers in Australia’s squad for the World Cup including Tom Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Wade Graham, Dane Gagai, Jordan McLean, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi. Seven members of the Storm’s grand final-winning team are named in the squad. Sam Thaiday, James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Josh Papalii and Dylan Napa are rated the most notable omissions.
Brian To'o proposes to his girlfriend post-match!
2021
The Panthers make amends for their Grand Final defeat a year earlier when they defeat the Rabbitohs 14-12 at Suncorp Stadium. Halfback Nathan Cleary is named Clive Churchill Medal winner. Winger Brian To'o kicks off celebrations by proposing to his partner Moesha, who says yes.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
