October 7: Hasler leaves Manly; ET dominates

On this day, ET and the Raging Bull run riot for the Kangaroos, a joint venture is born and a possum causes chaos for Warriors fans.

1989

Trent Merrin was born in Sydney. A versatile forward he played 13 Origins for NSW and seven Tests for Australia in the 2010s. Starting his club career at St George Illawarra in 2009, he was a member of the grand final-winning team the following year and played 133 games for the club before switching to Penrith for a three-year stint from 2016-18, heading to the Super League with 205 NRL appearances under his belt. In 2020 Merrin returned to the Dragons, playing 12 games that season and another six in 2021 before announcing his retirement.

1990   

Andrew Ettingshausen scores three tries as Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos begin their tour in fine style with a 34-4 thumping of St Helens.

1996   

ARL chairman Ken Arthurson offers to stand aside if it will bring about peace in the game.

1999   

ARL-aligned clubs, with the exception of South Sydney, indicate they are prepared to abandon legal action against the NRL when the 14-team competition is finalised, in return for News Limited’s $5 million share of a funding package.

1999   

The NRL gives “unanimous approval” for the payment of $8 million to fund the Manly-Norths joint venture, contingent on the approval of rival clubs and Manly members.

2000   

Australia score a record 82-0 victory over Papua New Guinea in an official Test match in Townsville. Winger Mat Rogers contributes 26 points from 13 goals, while second-rower Gorden Tallis crosses for four tries.

2001   

Penrith’s Craig Gower damages knee ligaments as Australia run in 10 tries to defeat Papua New Guinea 54-12 in Port Moresby. Nathan Blacklock (2), Jamie Lyon (2) and Mark Gasnier all score tries in their Test debuts.

2002   

Churchill Medal winner Craig Fitzgibbon says he was embarrassed to accept the award ahead of his captain Brad Fittler after the Roosters' 30-8 win over the Warriors in the decider.

2008   

Australian selectors name six Manly players in the 24-man squad for the World Cup, including newcomers Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and David Williams. Others selected for Australia for the first time are Terry Campese and Joel Monaghan (Canberra) and Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast).

2011   

Just five days after steering Manly to their second premiership title in four years, coach Des Hasler informs officials he has signed to coach Canterbury in 2013. Hasler’s decision sparks bitter recriminations between Sea Eagles heavyweights and board members.

2019

Australian coach Mal Meninga names six newcomers in a 19-man squad chosen for end-of-season Tests against New Zealand and Tonga. Cameron Murray, Payne Haas, Nick Cotric, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton and Paul Vaughan earn Kangaroo selection for the first time.

This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.