October 6: Roosters break 27-year drought; Fletch signs off
On this day, Freddy's Roosters break a 27-year drought, the Storm provide seven members of the 17-man Kangaroo squad, and a crowd invasion halts the PM's XIII game in Port Moresby.
2002
The Sydney Roosters defeat the Warriors 30-8 in one of the toughest grand finals in years to win their first title since 1975. Craig Fitzgibbon takes out the Clive Churchill Medal. Pre-match entertainment fizzes when rock legend Billy Idol is left posted after a generator blows up.
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2007
Former Australian Test second-rower Bryan Fletcher announces his retirement after Wigan are knocked out of the Super League final series. Fletcher played 145 games for the Roosters between 1997 and 2002 and was a key figure in the '02 premiership win. He then moved to Souths and played 45 games in three seasons before heading overseas to Wigan.
2007
Cronulla back-rower Paul Gallen is ruled out of the Australian Test side with a shoulder injury, paving the way for Melbourne’s Dallas Johnson to be named at lock. Johnson’s inclusion brings to seven the number of Storm players in the Australian 17-man squad.
2012
Leeds defeat Warrington 26-18 in the Super League grand final at Old Trafford to book a meeting with the Melbourne Storm in the World Club Challenge in February, 2013. Warrington prop Paul Wood plays through the second half of the match despite the searing pain of a ruptured testicle.
2013
The Sydney Roosters rally from an 18-8 deficit to claim their 13th premiership title following a 26-18 defeat of Manly in a high-quality grand final at ANZ Stadium. Roosters centre Michael Jennings is lauded for a “miracle” try. Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall is praised for his courage after playing three-quarters of the match with a broken jaw.
2015
Shattered Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt accepts a one-match ban for his dangerous throw in the grand final. The penalty against Hunt for the 77th minute tackle on Cowboys’ centre Kane Linnett gave North Queensland the opportunity to score the try that levelled the decider.
2018
The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII’s annual clash against Papua New Guinea is interrupted by a crowd invasion at Port Moresby’s International Stadium following fears that a light tower was about to collapse. After order was restored the Australian team claimed a 34-18 victory.
2020
The Melbourne Storm are fined $10,000 for time-wasting after a trainer held up the qualifying final against Parramatta to treat winger Suliasi Vunivalu for cramp.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
