Season Guide
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2018 NSWRL Season Guide 2018 SEASON GUIDE Complete guide to NSW Rugby League competitions TARSHA GALE nswrl.com.au NSWRL CONTACTS New South Wales Rugby League 6 Herb Elliott Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 PO Box 584 Sydney markets NSW 2129 Phone: (02) 8756 7000 Email: [email protected] Website: nswrl.com.au NSWRL Executive Board of Directors CEO: David Trodden Dr George Peponis OAM Chief Operating Officer: (Chairman) Stuart Clark General Manager - Football: Barrie-Jon Mather Geoffrey Gerard Head of Public Affairs: Tracie Edmondson Nick Politis AM Head of Commercial: Jodie Cross Professor Deborah Healey General Manager - Shared Services: David Nissen Ray Dib GAICD Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues Coach: Brad Fittler Bob Millward OAM Football William "Smiley" Johnstone Head of Competitions Yvette Downey Major Competitions Manager Brent Pigram Media Enquiries Email: [email protected] Tracie Edmondson NSWRL 2018 Season Guide 3 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NSW Rugby League competitions continue to grow from strength to strength – and this will be even more so in 2018 when more Intrust Super Premiership NSW matches are broadcast than ever before. For the first time in the history Massey Cup), St Marys (Sydney of the competition, matches will Shield) and Redfern (Harvey be screened weekly on both FOX Norman Women’s Premiership) SPORTS and the Nine Network – were also crowned champions ensuring more fans access the – with the finals series reaching competition and its players, via more people than ever before the media, than ever before. through NSWRL.com.au’s live- stream service. We are also preparing for our biggest season ever with the The talent across all ages return of the Jersey Flegg Cup throughout the state, though, has (Under-20s competition) and the generated interest and captivated affiliation of Newcastle Rugby fans right around NSW, with both League, taking the number of senior and junior representative competitions administered by competitions providing great NSWRL to nine. entertainment for our fans – and great stories for media. The NSWRL season was again another fantastic spectacle On that note, I’d like to thank the in 2017, with the Panthers media’s ongoing support, both prevailing over Wyong in a grand working and volunteer media, of final of the highest order in the the NSWRL and its competitions Intrust Super Premiership NSW and I look forward to seeing you competition. throughout the year. On an historic day at Leichhardt Enjoy season 2018. Oval in which NSWRL staged four deciders, Wentworthville (Ron David Trodden CEO NSW Rugby League 4 NSWRL 2018 Season Guide 5 STATE OF ORIGIN 6 77 STATE OF ORIGIN HISTORY Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry started in between the two states – regardless of players’ 1980, when the dominance of NSW warranted a club allegiances – was clear from day one and change in eligibility criteria to level the playing State of Origin was born. field in the annual interstate Rugby League clash now known as the State of Origin. The 38 years since have seen countless memorable moments, all of which add to the rich NSW had been historically stronger than tapestry of Origin. The miraculous game-winning Queensland in residence-based interstate try from Mark McGaw in Origin I, 1987; the clashes, winning 75 per cent of games between conversion in the rain from Michael O’Connor 1908 and 1956 and then only losing 12 more in Origin II, 1991; the farewell of Brad Fittler in matches until 1980. 2004; the incredible return of Andrew Johns in 2005; the sight of Steve Mortimer kissing the By the late 1970s, interstate clashes in Australia Lang Park turf after securing the state’s first held diminishing relevance and the one-sided series win in 1985; and Jarryd Hayne embracing affairs justified the rejuvenation of the concept, the crowd having reclaimed the shield after eight indicated by the NSWRFL’s decision not to host successive defeats. either match played in 1977. It was soon after this series that a “state of origin” rule was Today, State of Origin is consistently among the suggested north of the border, with the NSWRFL most-watched TV programs in Australia, also FROM THE BRYDENS LAWYERS NSW BLUES COACH agreeing to the concept in 1980. drawing huge attendances at venues around the country. With the first two residence-based interstate games in 1980 going the way of NSW, a one- New coach Brad Fittler will hope the NSW will It is an honour to be coaching the Brydens Lawyers NSW off State of Origin match was played, which continue to add to the state’s proud history with Blues in the 2018 Holden State of Origin series, Australia’s Queensland won in a major upset. The animosity a victory in 2018. most watched sporting event. Former coach Laurie Daley has done a great 2018 Holden State of Origin Fixtures STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES RESULTS job bringing in the next generation of Origin players in this state and I look forward to GAME ONE: 1980: Queensland 1-0 (one-off game) 1999: NSW 1 drew with Queensland 1 further developing those stars and creating Wednesday 6 June 1981: Queensland 1-0 (one-off game) 2000: NSW 3-0 a period of sustained success in the years Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues v Queensland 1982: Queensland 2-1 2001: Queensland 2-1 ahead. Maroons 1983: Queensland 2-1 2002: NSW 1 drew with Queensland 1 8:00pm, Melbourne Cricket Ground 1984: Queensland 2-1 2003: NSW 2-1 I hope to see NSW players play with pride and 1985: NSW 2-1 2004: NSW 2-1 passion, and I look forward to talking to the GAME TWO: 1986: NSW 3-0 2005: NSW 2-1 media after what we are aiming to be a series Sunday 24 June 1987: Queensland 2-1 2006: Queensland 2-1 victory in 2018 … but I’m under no illusion how Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues v Queensland 1988: Queensland 3-0 2007: Queensland 2-1 tough Queensland will prove as opponents. Maroons 1989: Queensland 3-0 2008: Queensland 2-1 8:00pm, ANZ Stadium 1990: NSW 2-1 2009: Queensland 2-1 To the media, thank you for your coverage of 1991: Queensland 2-1 2010: Queensland 3-0 this iconic sporting event and we wish you an GAME THREE: 1992: NSW 2-1 2011: Queensland 2-1 enjoyable and memorable 2018 season. Wednesday 11 July 1993: NSW 2-1 2012: Queensland 2-1 Queensland Maroons v Brydens Lawyers NSW 1994: NSW 2-1 2013: Queensland 2-1 See you at the footy. Blues 1995: Queensland 3-0 2014: NSW 2-1 8:00pm, Suncorp Stadium 1996: NSW 3-0 2015: Queensland 2-1 1997: NSW 2-1 2016: Queensland 2-1 Brad Fittler 1998: Queensland 2-1 2017: Queensland 2-1 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues Coach 8 NSWRL 2018 Season Guide 9 WOMEN'S INTERSTATE CHALLENGE RESULTS AND HISTORY The annual interstate women’s Rugby League Last year the Harvey Norman NSW women’s Challenge for the Nellie Doherty Cup will side registered back-to-back titles with a celebrate its 20th year as part of the “Origin” 22-6 win over Queensland at WIN Stadium, program for the first time in 2018. Wollongong. The NSW v Queensland women’s Origin battle Queensland had previously dominated the will be played on Friday 22 June in Sydney on Interstate Challenge, winning the first 17 a weekend of representative football that will straight contests for the Nellie Doherty Cup. culminate in Game Two of the Holden State of Origin at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 24 June. INTERSTATE CHALLENGE PAST WINNERS 1999 Queensland 2000 Queensland 2001 Queensland 2002 Queensland 2003 Queensland 2004 Queensland 2005 Queensland 2006 Queensland 2007 Queensland 2008 Queensland 2009 Queensland 2010 Queensland 2011 Queensland 2012 Queensland 2013 Queensland 2014 Queensland 2015 Queensland 2016 NSW 2017 NSW 2018 INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP NSW NSWRL 2017 Media Guide 10 NSWRL 2018 Season Guide 11 2018 INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP NSW DRAW 2018 INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP NSW DRAW Latest draw and info Latest draw and info Round 1 Round 6 Newcastle Knights v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles McDonald Jones Stadium Fri, 9 Mar 3.45pm New Zealand Warriors v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles Mt Smart Stadium Sat, 14 Apr 2.45pm NZT *FOX Wests Magpies v Canterbury Bulldogs ANZ Stadium Sat, 10 Mar 2.15pm *FOX Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs Panthers Stadium Sun, 15 Apr 11.45am *FOX St George Illawarra Dragons v Mounties WIN Stadium Sat, 10 Mar 1.00pm *NINE Newcastle Knights v Newtown Jets Cessnock Sports Complex Sat, 14 Apr 3.00pm New Zealand Warriors v North Sydney Bears Mt Smart Stadium Sat, 10 Mar 1.00pm NZT North Sydney Bears v Wests Magpies North Sydney Oval Sat, 14 Apr 1.00pm *NINE Wyong Roos v Newtown Jets Morry Breen Oval Sat, 10 Mar 4.30pm St George Illawarra Dragons v Wyong Roos WIN Stadium Sat, 14 Apr 3.00pm Penrith Panthers v Wentworthville Magpies Panthers Stadium Sun, 11 Mar 1.45pm BYES: Wentworthville and Mounties Round 2 Round 7 Wentworthville Magpies v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles Ringrose Park Sat, 17 Mar 3.00pm Wyong Roos v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles Berkeley Vale Oval Sat, 21 Apr 3.00pm New Zealand Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs Mt Smart Stadium Sat, 17 Mar 2.45pm NZT *FOX Canterbury Bulldogs v Newtown Jets Belmore Sports Ground Sat, 21 Apr 1.00pm *NINE Mounties v Wyong Roos Aubrey Keech Reserve Sat, 17 Mar 3.00pm North Sydney Bears v Mounties Central Coast Stadium Sat, 21 Apr 12.45pm *FOX Newcastle Knights v Wests Magpies Leichhardt Oval Sat, 17 Mar 1.00pm *NINE New Zealand Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons Mt Smart Stadium Sat, 21 Apr 3.00pm NZT St George Illawarra Dragons v Newtown Jets Southern Cross Group Stadium, Thu, 15Mar 5.30pm Wests Magpies v Newcastle Knights Campbelltown Stadium Sat, 21 Apr 3.00pm Penrith Panthers v North Sydney Bears Panthers Stadium Sat, 17 Mar 3.10pm