As the build-up to Sunday's Telstra Premiership grand finals gathers momentum, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is lighting up with iconic images of rugby league’s most historic season.
Melbourne's 1999 premiership halfback Brett Kimmorley and Panthers 2003 grand final hero Ryan Girdler joined NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres to light up the famous 'coat hanger' on Wednesday night.
The bridge’s famous pylons will display images from every single club which will tell the story of a season like no other from tonight until grand final night.
“This year has been an extraordinary season. The images captured in 2020 will remain etched in the hearts and minds of our players and fans for decades to come,’’ Abdo said.
Then there were two
"We've played over 170 games in a remarkably challenging time and I want to start by saying thank you to our 850 players and officials in bubbles.
"They showed tremendous discipline, tremendous sacrifice and they provided us with hours of entertainment.
"Thank you to our fans who stood by us. Whether they've been able to attend live at stadiums or not they've shown their support for their clubs and their heroes.
"I also want to acknowledge the grand finalists. Two very different teams and two very different storylines. The Penrith Panthers, the young guns, taking on the experienced Storm.
"The Storm have been there plenty of times before but I don't think they would have ever imagined having to relocate to the Sunshine Coast for most of the season and then descending on Sydney.
"And then to the NRLW, an important part of the 2020 storyline. The Temara sisters, Zehara and Chante, will be on opposing sides for the Roosters and the Broncos.
"Will it be the Broncos third title or will it be the Roosters, who've shown unbelievable form this year.
"The images you'll see on the bridge aren't just about the grand finalists, they're also about the broader stories we've seen in 2020.
“The sacrifices of the Warriors, the bond between a father and son, Cameron Smith being carried off Suncorp Stadium, the brilliance of the NRLW Broncos. There are more than 40 iconic moments in an iconic season that will light up the city this week.
"So many iconic images from an unbelievably iconic season. A season like no other.
"This season represents all that is good about sport, about rugby league, about community, about teamwork and shows that the impossible is possible."
