2002 NRL season

The 2002 NRL season was the 95th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fifth to be run by the National Rugby League. The season was affected by the competition-leading Bulldogs' salary cap breach finding, which saw them relegated to the bottom of the NRL ladder. As a result, the New Zealand Warriors won their first minor premiership and made it to the grand final for the first time, playing against foundation club the Sydney Roosters who won the match and collected their first premiership in 27 years.

2002 National Rugby League
DurationMarch 15 – October 6, 2002
Teams15
Premiers Sydney (12th title)
Minor premiers New Zealand (1st title)
Matches played189
Points scored9083
Attendance2656198
Top points scorer(s) Hazem El Masri (254)
Player of the year Andrew Johns (Dally M Medal)
Top try-scorer(s) Nigel Vagana (23)

Pre-season

In February, 2002, the National Rugby League's Director of Legal and Business Affairs, David Gallop, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the NRL, succeeding David Moffett.

The legendary Broncos and Maroons halfback, Allan Langer, returned from England to play his final season of professional football with the Brisbane club. In doing so he became the NRL's oldest player for the 2002 season at 36 years and 60 days.[1]

The return of South Sydney

Following the club's departure from the NRL after the 1999 season, there was a continuing push from both fans and the wider rugby league community to reinstate the South Sydney Rabbitohs into the NRL competition. After two unsuccessful years of lobbying, South Sydney finally received a court ruling in their favour in 2001. On 15 March 2002, the Rabbitohs opened the NRL season with a home match against long-time rivals, the Sydney Roosters, losing badly, 40-6.

It turned out to be a tough year for the Rabbitohs, winning only 5 matches from 24 played.

Teams

The number of teams contesting the Premiership increased for the 2002 season from 14 to 15 due to the re-inclusion of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. It was the first time the number of Premiership teams had increased since the 1995 ARL season when the introduction of the Auckland Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, South Queensland Crushers and Western Reds saw the number of teams increase from 16 to 20.

Brisbane Broncos
15th season
Ground: Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Captain: Gorden Tallis
Bulldogs RLFC
68th season
Ground: Sydney Showground
Coach: Steve Folkes
Captain: Steve Price
Canberra Raiders
21st season
Ground: Canberra Stadium
Coach: Matthew Elliott
Captain: Simon Woolford
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
38th season
Ground: Shark Park
Coach: Chris Anderson
Captain: David Peachey
Melbourne Storm
5th season
Ground Olympic Park Stadium
Coach: Mark Murray
Captain: Robbie Kearns
Newcastle Knights
15th season
Ground: Newcastle International Sports Centre
Coach: Michael Hagan
Captain: Andrew Johns
New Zealand Warriors
8th season
Ground: Mt Smart Stadium
Coach: Daniel Anderson
Captain: Stacey Jones & Monty Betham
North Queensland Cowboys
8th season
Ground: Willows Sports Complex
Coach: Murray HurstGraham Murray
Captain: Paul Bowman
Northern Eagles
3rd season
Ground: Brookvale Oval & Central Coast Stadium
Coach: Peter Sharp
Captain: Steve Menzies
Parramatta Eels
56th season
Ground: Parramatta Stadium
Coach: Brian Smith
Captain: Nathan Cayless
Penrith Panthers
36th season
Ground: Penrith Stadium
Coach: John Lang
Captain: Craig Gower
South Sydney Rabbitohs
93rd season
Ground: Sydney Football Stadium
Coach: Craig Coleman
Captain: Adam Muir
Sydney Roosters
95th season
Ground: Sydney Football Stadium
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Captain: Brad Fittler
St. George Illawarra Dragons
4th season
Ground: Kogarah Oval & WIN Stadium
Coach: Andrew Farrar
Captain: Trent Barrett
Wests Tigers
3rd season
Ground: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt Oval
Coach: Terry Lamb
Captain: Darren Senter

Regular season

In 2002, as in 2001, the NRL's advertising was handled by Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney. As in the previous season, there was no big budget season launch advertising campaign. The NRL focussed on stretching its marketing spending throughout the season with newspaper ads promoting individual rounds and clubs, and with simple TV ads to promote key games.

The Bulldogs won 17 games in a row and had an unbeaten run of 18 games, the most in the club's history. However they were deducted 37 premiership points for a gross salary cap breaches, the most points deducted in premiership history. That left the club with just four competition points attained from the two byes earlier in the season. Four more competition points followed since the salary cap scandal, all from wins in the last two rounds of the season.

The New Zealand Warriors won the club's first Minor Premiership in its 8-year history and also made it to their first Grand Final. The Warriors were not in first place almost during the entire season, only taking top spot on the ladder at the conclusion of Round 26.

John Hopoate ran 3,976 metres with the ball in 2002, more than any other player in the competition.[2]

At the end of the season NRL referees' coach Peter Louis resigned from his position.[3]

Bulldogs salary cap breach

In mid-2002, the Bulldogs were found guilty of serious and systemic breaches of the salary cap. NRL Chief Executive David Gallop described the violation as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". The club received a $500,000 fine, and was stripped of 37 of its 41 competition points accumulated up to Round 23.[4] The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time). The deduction of the 37 competition points meant that the Bulldogs would win the wooden spoon, as the South Sydney Rabbitohs had already accumulated 12 competition points by the end of Round 24.

The deduction of the Bulldogs' points also enabled the Canberra Raiders to make the finals with a points differential of -170, the poorest such record of any finalist in the competition's history, and the Raiders only won one game outside of Canberra for the entire season. It also enabled the New Zealand Warriors to secure their first minor premiership in the club's history.

Ladder

The Warriors received A$100,000 prize money for finishing the regular season as minor premiers.[5]

Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 New Zealand Warriors 2417072688454+23438
2 Newcastle Knights 2417072724498+22638
3 Brisbane Broncos 2416172672425+24737
4 Sydney Roosters (P) 2415182621405+21635
5 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2415092653597+5634
6 Parramatta Eels 24102122531440+9126
7 St George Illawarra Dragons 2493122632546+8625
8 Canberra Raiders 24101132471641-17025
9 Northern Eagles 24100142503740-23724
10 Melbourne Storm 2491142556586-3023
11 North Queensland Cowboys 2480162496803-30720
12 Penrith Panthers 2470172546654-10818
13 Wests Tigers 2470172498642-14418
14 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2450192385817-43214
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2420132707435+27281

1The Bulldogs were deducted 37 premiership points due to gross salary cap breaches.

Ladder progression

  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round
  • Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
1 New Zealand 2446881012141618202224242626283030323436363638
2 Newcastle 246810121214161618202224242628283030323234363838
3 Brisbane 23579111315171919212123252527293133353535353737
4 Sydney 22222468101214141618192123232325252729313335
5 Sharks 2466888888881012141618202224262830323434
6 Parramatta 224457911131515171919202020202020202222242626
7 St. George Illawarra 022455556810101011131515151719191921232325
8 Canberra 0022222455791111111313151517192121232325
9 Northern Eagles 0224466881010101212141616181818202222222424
10 Melbourne 22466888888101011131315171919192123232323
11 North Queensland 000022446668888810101214141416161820
12 Penrith 000022222468810101010101012121414161618
13 Wests 2446681010101012121212141414141414161616181818
14 South Sydney 024444666888888810121212121212121214
15 Bulldogs 0135791113151719212325272931333537393941468

Finals series

To decide the grand finalists from the top eight finishing teams, the NRL adopts the McIntyre Final Eight System.

Coincidentally, the finalists for 2002 were almost the same as the previous season, with the exception of the Bulldogs being replaced by Canberra. Had the Bulldogs not been deducted competition points, they would have become the minor premiers and completed the replication, with Canberra moving down to 9th.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Crowd
Qualifying Finals
Sydney Roosters 32 20 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 13 September 2002 Aussie Stadium Paul Simpkins 25,366
Brisbane Broncos 24 14 Parramatta Eels 14 September 2002 ANZ Stadium Sean Hampstead 19,115
Newcastle Knights 22 26 St George Illawarra Dragons 14 September 2002 Energy Australia Stadium Bill Harrigan 21,051
New Zealand Warriors 36 20 Canberra Raiders 15 September 2002 Ericsson Stadium Tim Mander 25,800
Semi Finals
St George Illawarra Dragons 24 40 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 21 September 2002 Aussie Stadium Bill Harrigan 31,783
Sydney Roosters 38 12 Newcastle Knights 22 September 2002 Aussie Stadium Sean Hampstead 23,816
Preliminary Finals
Brisbane Broncos 12 16 Sydney Roosters 28 September 2002 Aussie Stadium Bill Harrigan 28,251
New Zealand Warriors 16 10 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 29 September 2002 Telstra Stadium Tim Mander 45,782

Chart

  Qualifying Finals Semi Finals Preliminary Finals Grand Final
                                     
1 New Zealand 36
8 Canberra 20
  1W New Zealand 16  
2 Newcastle 22   4W St. George Illawarra 24     Cronulla 10    
7 St. George Illawarra 26   2L Cronulla 40         New Zealand 8
      Sydney 30
3 Brisbane 24         2W Brisbane 12    
6 Parramatta 14   3W Sydney 38     Sydney 16  
  1L Newcastle 12  
4 Sydney 32
5 Cronulla 20

Grand Final

Sunday, 6 October
7:00pm (AEST)
New Zealand Warriors 8 30 Sydney Roosters
Tries:
Stacey Jones (46') 1
Goals:
Ivan Cleary 2/2
(29' pen, 47')
1st: 2 - 6
2nd: 6 - 24
Report
Tries:
Shannon Hegarty (23') 1
Craig Wing (57') 1
Craig Fitzgibbon (65') 1
Chris Flannery (71') 1
Bryan Fletcher (74') 1
Goals:
Craig Fitzgibbon 5/5
(25', 59', 66', 71', 76')

2002 Transfers

Players

Player 2001 Club 2002 Club
Darren Burns Brisbane Broncos Super League: Warrington Wolves
Mark Corvo Brisbane Broncos Super League: Salford City Reds
Luke Priddis Brisbane Broncos Penrith Panthers
Wendell Sailor Brisbane Broncos Queensland Reds (Super 12)
Kevin Walters Brisbane Broncos Retirement
Anthony Colella Canberra Raiders South Sydney Rabbitohs
Andrew McFadden Canberra Raiders Parramatta Eels
Lesley Vainikolo Canberra Raiders Super League: Bradford Bulls
Luke Williamson Canberra Raiders Northern Eagles
Darren Britt Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Super League: St. Helens
Steven Hughes Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Retirement
Adam Peek Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Craig Polla-Mounter Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Retirement
Rod Silva Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Retirement
Barry Ward Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Super League: St. Helens
Matt Daylight Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Retirement
Shannon Donato Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Penrith Panthers
Adam Dykes Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Parramatta Eels
Jason Ferris Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Northern Eagles
Martin Lang Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Penrith Panthers
Nathan Long Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Northern Eagles
Paul McNicholas Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs
Russell Richardson Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mat Rogers Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks New South Wales Waratahs (Super 12)
Sean Ryan Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Super League: Hull F.C.
Luke Stuart Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs
Russell Bawden Melbourne Storm Super League: London Broncos
Tasesa Lavea Melbourne Storm Northern Eagles
Ben Roarty Melbourne Storm Penrith Panthers
Brad Watts Melbourne Storm South Sydney Rabbitohs
Darren Albert Newcastle Knights Super League: St. Helens
Troy Fletcher Newcastle Knights Retirement
Glenn Grief Newcastle Knights South Sydney Rabbitohs
Paul Marquet Newcastle Knights Super League: Warrington Wolves
Richie Blackmore New Zealand Warriors Retirement
Jason Death New Zealand Warriors South Sydney Rabbitohs
Geoff Bell North Queensland Cowboys Penrith Panthers
Brett Hetherington North Queensland Cowboys Retirement
Danny Moore North Queensland Cowboys Retirement
Julian O'Neill North Queensland Cowboys Super League: Wigan Warriors
Lee Oudenryn North Queensland Cowboys Retirement
Mark Shipway North Queensland Cowboys Northern Eagles
Damien Smith North Queensland Cowboys Retirement
Kyle Warren North Queensland Cowboys Super League: Castleford Tigers
Greg Ebrill Northern Eagles Super League: Salford City Reds
Wayne Evans Northern Eagles Super League: London Broncos
Brett Kimmorley Northern Eagles Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Andrew King Northern Eagles South Sydney Rabbitohs
William Leyshon Northern Eagles Melbourne Storm
Karl Lovell Northern Eagles Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Adam Muir Northern Eagles South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mark O'Meley Northern Eagles Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Paul Stringer Northern Eagles South Sydney Rabbitohs
Geoff Toovey Northern Eagles Retirement
Steve Trindall Northern Eagles Wests Tigers
Ben Walker Northern Eagles Super League: Leeds Rhinos
PJ Marsh Parramatta Eels New Zealand Warriors
Jason Taylor Parramatta Eels Retirement
David Westley Parramatta Eels Northern Eagles
Matt Adamson Penrith Panthers Super League: Leeds Rhinos
Robbie Beckett Penrith Panthers Super League: Halifax Blue Sox
Steve Carter Penrith Panthers Super League: Widnes Vikings
Craig Greenhill Penrith Panthers Super League: Hull F.C.
Andrew Hinson Penrith Panthers South Sydney Rabbitohs
Duncan MacGillivray Penrith Panthers South Sydney Rabbitohs
Frank Puletua Penrith Panthers South Sydney Rabbitohs
Matthew Rieck Penrith Panthers Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Matthew Rodwell Penrith Panthers Super League: Warrington Wolves
David Woods Penrith Panthers Super League: Halifax Blue Sox
Jamie Ainscough St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Wigan Warriors
Wayne Bartrim St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Castleford Tigers
Jamie Fitzgerald St. George Illawarra Dragons South Sydney Rabbitohs
Wade Forrester St. George Illawarra Dragons Northern Eagles
Andrew Hart St. George Illawarra Dragons South Sydney Rabbitohs
Paul McGregor St. George Illawarra Dragons Retirement
Craig Smith St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Wigan Warriors
Darren Treacy St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Salford City Reds
Colin Ward St. George Illawarra Dragons Penrith Panthers
Quentin Pongia Sydney Roosters Villeneuve Leopards (Elite One Championship)
Matt Sing Sydney Roosters North Queensland Cowboys
John Carlaw Wests Tigers New Zealand Warriors
Owen Craigie Wests Tigers South Sydney Rabbitohs
Craig Field Wests Tigers Pia Donkeys (French Rugby League Championship)
Lee Murphy Wests Tigers Retirement
John Simon Wests Tigers Retirement
Tyran Smith Wests Tigers Canberra Raiders
Shane Walker Wests Tigers Melbourne Storm
Shane Rigon Super League: Bradford Bulls South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ben Kusto Super League: Huddersfield Giants Parramatta Eels
Luke Felsch Super League: Hull F.C. St. George Illawarra Dragons
Tony Grimaldi Super League: Hull F.C. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Robert Mears Super League: Leeds Rhinos Wests Tigers
Brett Mullins Super League: Leeds Rhinos Sydney Roosters
Glen Air Super League: London Broncos Wests Tigers
Shane Millard Super League: London Broncos St. George Illawarra Dragons
Justin Brooker Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats South Sydney Rabbitohs
Andrew Gee Super League: Warrington Wolves Brisbane Broncos
David Kidwell Super League: Warrington Wolves Sydney Roosters
Allan Langer Super League: Warrington Wolves Brisbane Broncos
Danny Nutley Super League: Warrington Wolves Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ian Sibbit Super League: Warrington Wolves Melbourne Storm
Matthew Johns Super League: Wigan Warriors Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ken McGuinness Toowoomba Clydesdales (Queensland Cup) North Queensland Cowboys
Chris Caruana N/A South Sydney Rabbitohs
Joe Galuvao N/A Penrith Panthers

Coaches

Coach 2001 Club 2002 Club
John Lang Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Penrith Panthers

References

  1. Toohey, Barry (2 February 2011). "Still some bite in old Mad Dog". The Daily Telegraph. Australia: News Limited. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  2. Proszenko, Adrian (6 May 2012). "Gallen set to smash record". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  3. Steve Mascord and Brad Walter (6 September 2002). "Search for new refs chief to replace Louis". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  4. Tunnah, Helen (2002-08-24). "Rugby League: 37 nails in Bulldogs' kennel". The New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  5. NZPA (2002-10-05). "Sorry guys, the cheque's not in the mail". nzherald.co.nz. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
  6. D'Souza, Miguel. "Grand Final History". wwos.ninemsn.com.au. AAP. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2013.

Further reading

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