Buzz Rothfield’s Top 50 moments of the NRL season
Bronson Xerri and Michael Jennings’ positive drug tests rocked the NRL, but so did how they dropped — coming on the even of the season and a crucial finals match. Check out 2020’s most dramatic moments.
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These are the moments that shaped the most unusual season in NRL history.
1 Purple reign
The Storm Machine dismantles the seemingly unstoppable Penrith Panthers in 40 stunning minutes to go to the break 22-0 up. After a rollercoaster year where it looked like we might not even get a grand final it was wonderful to see a brilliant side triumph on the big stage.
2 $2 billion gamble
On March 23, after two rounds of the competition, the NRL shuts down the competition on the advice of biosecurity experts. The $2 billion TV deal and the survival of all clubs are at stake.
3 Ruck and rule
During the break, the NRL announces the most significant rule changes to improve the quality of football. The six-again restart and one referee is introduced despite opposition from the coaches.
4 Trouble & TikTok
Player misbehaviour becomes a huge issue while the country is in lockdown. Superstars Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Nathan Cleary are heavily fined and suspended for breaches.
5 Apollo landing
Peter V’landys sets up Project Apollo. V’landys is described as reckless for setting a May 28 resumption date. It is in fact a masterstroke and the NRL becomes the first sport to safely return.
6 Todd man out
After weeks of speculation Todd Greenberg steps down as NRL chief executive on April 20. More executives follow him out the door — Nick Weeks and Liz Deegan — due to cost cutting.
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7 Fight song
The NRL launches the season with a controversial, political and heavily criticised Simply The Best advertising campaign, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Tina Turner’s original advert.
8 Xerri bomb
The NRL is rocked on its May 28 return when Cronulla’s Bronson Xerri is banned for testing positive to steroids. It’s a huge blow for the Sharks, who also released Josh Morris to the Roosters. However, Sports Industry Australia comes under scrutiny over the timing of the announcement, which came five months after Xerri’s positive test. The timing of the announcement of Michael Jennings’ subsequent positive test (See No.42) is also questioned, as the Eels centre is hit with his provisional suspension coming down on the day of Parramatta’s do-or-die semi-final against South Sydney.
9 Hospital pass
The game experiences a shocking year for injuries with superstars Tom Trbojevic, Josh Hodgson, Victor Radley and Jack Bird headlining the biggest names in the casualty ward.
10 Sex again
It wouldn’t be a footy season without an off-field incident at the Bulldogs. Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor are both suspended over a schoolgirl sex scandal in Port Macquarie.
11 Wonderful Warriors
The Warriors become every fan’s second team with the huge sacrifices they make to stay in Australia for five months to ensure the NRL could schedule eight games to meet TV deal obligations.
12 Cam-a-lot
In mid July, Cameron Smith tells your columnist he is just a few weeks from a decision on his future: “I’m not going to string them out and leave them high and dry.” Three months later and we are still waiting.
13 Firing squad
The NRL has never witnessed coaching carnage like 2020. Five coaches are sacked — Stephen Kearney (Warriors), Dean Pay (Bulldogs), Paul Green (Cowboys), Anthony Seibold (Broncos) and Paul McGregor (Dragons).
14 What the Foxx
Champion winger Josh Addo-Carr reveals he wants out from Melbourne Storm for compassionate reasons to be closer to his family at a Sydney-based club.
15 Giant bleep
Manly Sea Eagles front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake is sent off at Brookvale Oval for calling referee Grant Atkins a “f … ing retard.” He is fined $20,000. Manly end up releasing him to join the Warriors.
16 Origins of change
The NRL switches State of Origin to November from its usual mid-year scheduling in June and July. The 34 best players in the competition are no longer missing for six weeks.
17 Ivan the terrible
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is fined $20,000 (reduced to $10,000) for questioning the referee’s integrity after a game against Canberra. He says the referee “managed” the Raiders back into the game.
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18 Golden oldie
Storm beat the Roosters 27-25 in a round-eight golden point thriller via a Cameron Smith penalty goal in the 86th minute. Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen both kick field goals in the dying moments to force extra-time.
19 Food fight
Old super coach Wayne Bennett is sprung at his favourite restaurant, Grappa at Leichhardt, while he is supposed to be in isolation. He is stood down for two weeks for breaching biosecurity rules.
20 Sam scandal
The Australian newspaper carries out an investigation into the behaviour of Sam Burgess, alleging drug use, gambling binges and domestic violence. He stands down as the Rabbitohs’ assistant coach.
21 Humble tries
Alex Johnston is told he is not wanted at the Rabbitohs. Pressure from fans forces a Bennett backflip. He responds with five tries against the Roosters and finishes as the NRL’s top tryscorer.
22 Inglis Super League
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Greg Inglis announces a comeback at 33, signing with Warrington in the UK Super League on a one-year contract.
23 Prodigal Sonny
Sonny Bill Williams returns to the NRL for the final four premiership games at the Sydney Roosters on a $150,000 contract. He has an outstanding semi-final in a beaten Roosters side against the Raiders.
24 Cash of the Titans
In the biggest signing coup in Gold Coast Titans history, tearaway forward David Fifita quits the Broncos to accept a three-year $3.3 million deal on the coast.
25 Cut to the chase
Josh Papalii produces the most spectacular ankle tap of the season, somehow finding the pace to clip Gold Coast Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty to save a try.
26 Hooked on Griffin
After two years on the sidelines, Anthony Griffin in September signs with the St George-Illawarra Dragons in a controversial decision to replace Paul McGregor.
27 Highway to Kevin
Kevvie Walters signs with Brisbane Broncos, beating Cowboys’ premiership-winning coach Paul Green in a photo finish, forcing him to quit his Maroons Origin post.
28 Benji ex-factor
At 35 and after 324 NRL games, the great Benji Marshall is told his services are no longer required at the Wests Tigers. Benji vows to play on at a rival team.
29 Tiger walkout
The Wests Tigers stage the comeback of the year to beat the Manly Sea Eagles in round 17 at Brookvale Oval but Josh Reynolds and Russell Packer walk out on the team at halftime.
30 One-finger salute
Melbourne Storm skipper Cameron Smith cops a ‘bird’ from Craig Bellamy in the Storm coaching box after breaking the coach’s try tally in a game against the Wests Tigers.
31 Streak for the ages
The Penrith Panthers win 17 straight games to make the grand final, losing one game all year — almost matching the St George Dragons, who went unbeaten for an entire season in 1959.
32 Departure lounge
The Canberra Raiders are rocked by news on June 30 that star English forward John Bateman will quit the NRL to return home to the UK Super League with the Wigan Warriors.
33 Knight shift
Blues Origin star Tyson Frizell announces he is quitting the St George Illawarra Dragons after 165 games to become a marquee signing for the Newcastle Knights
34 Cruel twist
The Canterbury Bulldogs sign five-eighth Blake Green from the Newcastle Knights. On August 23, he suffers an ACL injury in Newcastle to throw the Bulldogs deal into doubt.
35 Dog’s way home
At 30 years of age and with no interest from the Canterbury Bulldogs, Kieran Foran returns home to Brookvale with the Manly Sea Eagles — the club he left back in 2015.
36 Unhappy Daze
There is concern for the future of Roosters, Kangaroos and Blues skipper Boyd Cordner due to repeated concussions. He also had to deal with the tragic death of his cousin Joel Dark.
37 Bad hair day
Drama escalates at the Broncos when highly rated Tevita Pangai Jr is sprung at a bikies’ barber shop, breaching biosecurity protocols. He is fined $30,000 and stood down for the season.
38 Trolling thunder
Anthony Seibold quits the Brisbane Broncos amid a social media character assassination regarding his family and private life as the club tumbles towards the wooden spoon.
39 Belmore boardwalk
Frustrated Bulldogs members call an extraordinary general meeting to remove chair Lynne Anderson and directors Paul Dunn and John Ballesty. They elect to stand down.
40 Rabbits’ 60 zone
The South Sydney Rabbitohs flog arch rivals and back-to-back premiers the Sydney Roosters 60-8 at ANZ Stadium in round 20, led magnificently by Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds.
41 Benny’s back
Wayne Bennett returns to State of Origin as coach of the Maroons to replace Kevvie Walters. His first signing is none other than Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga as an assistant.
42 Freddy’s baby Blues
Blues coach Brad Fittler reveals a policy for fresh faces in his Origin campaign by omitting experienced regulars Wade Graham, Dave Klemmer and Paul Vaughan from the NSW team.
43 Scandal alert
In a shocking weekend for the NRL during the finals, there are two scandals on October 10. Michael Jennings tests positive to steroids and Tristan Sailor is in court on a sexual assault charge.
Sports Integrity Australia officials door-knocked Jennings on the morning of the Eels’ semi-final against the Rabbitohs to inform him of his positive test.
He was tested on September 21, making it a 20-day turnaround before he knew his result.
It took five months for Cronulla’s Bronson Xerri to be told of his positive result.
44 Bellyache lottery
Storm super Craig Bellamy becomes the hottest property in rugby league, as the Broncos secretly step in with a multimillion-dollar long-term contract as director of coaching.
45 Red, white and true
Mitch Aubusson becomes the most capped Rooster of all-time, overtaking Luke Ricketson and Anthony Minichiello with his 302nd game, against the Sharks in round 19 at the SCG.
46 Holy Moses
Finals heartbreak for the Parramatta Eels in a gripping semi-final against the Rabbitohs when halfback Mitch Moses misses a penalty from in front before Souths run 60m to score.
47 Grant finale
Harry Grant has a sensational year at the Wests Tigers to win the Dally M rookie of the year and win selection in the Maroons Origin squad.
48 Jack to a King
Despite being rested from the Raiders’ final game of the season, Canberra’s Jack Wighton becomes Dally M Medal winner, beating hot favourite Nathan Cleary and Parramatta Eels star Clint Gutherson.
49 Heavy medal
Dally M coach of the year becomes the easiest selection on medal night. After missing the finals last year, Ivan Cleary steers the Panthers to a minor premiership and a grand final berth.
50 King Pete
It’s the year of Peter V’landys, Australia’s most dynamic sporting administrator. Under his leadership the game thrives on and off the field in every area despite the difficulties from COVID.
Originally published as Buzz Rothfield’s Top 50 moments of the NRL season