The 2006 season also saw the Rabbitohs win their first (of only three) game against an Origin-depleted Brisbane Broncos side in round 14; it was their first win against the northeners since 1989.
We’ve seen plenty of instances of the wooden spoon side beating the eventual premiers in the NRL era, including:
the Wests Tigers beating the Panthers for their first win of the 2023 season
the Knights beating the Cowboys in Townsville in round two, 2015. That actually gave them a 2-0 record, while the Cowboys dropped to 0-2 (after also having dropped their season opener vs the Roosters)
the Eels beating the Storm in 2012, after which their coach (and former Storm assistant/player) Stephen Kearney stepped down. It was the fourth of five straight losses for the Melbourne club, which ultimately cost it the minor premiership, though it wouldn’t matter as they went all the way.
I didn’t consider the Storm beating the Dragons in 2010 nor the Bulldogs beating the Roosters in 2002 as those clubs were sentenced to finish last due to their respective salary cap breaches.
FWIW, the last time this happened in the AFL was when Sydney defeated West Coast by three points at the SCG very early in the 1992 season.
Former Rabbitohs football manager, the highly regarded Brock Schaefer, has been appointed to oversee all referees from pathways to NRL over the top of Jared Maxwell. Maxwell will remain on the coaching staff but will now focus on bunker accuracy and efficiency, developing new talent and coaching. Schaefer will report to Head of Football Graham Annesley.
Also
The biggest threat to the Perth Bears joining the NRL is billionaire Channel 7 boss Kerry Stokes, who carries enormous influence over WA politicians. Stokes also owns the AFL TV rights with Foxtel and is hugely protective of his broadcast interests and the possible threat of the NRL eating into his ratings.
Skip to 7:29 for probably the harshest send-off in league history.
Unsurprisingly, McKinnon was cleared of any wrongdoing from the match review panel the following day, and referee Paul Simpkins also avoided being dropped.
PVL isn’t always serious in everything he does, probably more of a light hearted gesture/joke than anything, I’m sure he knows Trump has much bigger fish to fry right now.
I’m in countdown mode now, less than 7 days until i fly out for it!
Wests Tigers will charge fans more for the cheapest seat at Friday’s pre-season trials than the NRL does for entry into this year’s State of Origin Game III.
The club has set the adult general admission price at $42.60 for the matches featuring Penrith, Manly, the Tigers and Parramatta.
For an actual seat not on the grass hill, tickets are set at $62.60 for an adult or $170.80 for a family of four.
All prices are before an additional $6 handling fee per transaction from ticket provider Ticketek.
By comparison, the cheapest seat for State of Origin III at Accor Stadium this year is set at $49 for an adult and $139 for a family, albeit in level six of the venue.
Peter V’landys has struck a deal on a landmark $150 million rugby league compound to house NRL stars who make the move overseas to play for expansion newcomers Papua New Guinea.
The project is forecast to cost around $150m, with the NRL Village to be big enough to house a population of around 200, including players, their families and children, as well as officials of the new PNG outfit.
