The2000 NRL Grand Finalwas the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the2000 NRL season.It was contested by theBrisbane Broncos,who had finished the season in 1st place, and theSydney Roosters,who had finished the season in 2nd place. TheBrisbane Broncoswere favourites heading into thegrand finalwith theSydney Roostersas underdogs. Brisbane were premiership favourites for most of the season after leading the competition every round since round 4. It was their fifth grand final appearance in nine years, while it was the first for the Roosters in twenty years. The attendance of 94,277 was the third highest ever seen at a rugby league match in Australia. It was the first time that theClive Churchill Medalwas presented separately with a ribbon being worn around the neck, as previously it was presented in a case.
| 2000NRL Grand Final | |||||||||||||
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 View of Stadium Australia at full time | |||||||||||||
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| Date | 27 August 2000 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | Stadium Australia | ||||||||||||
| Location | Sydney, NSW, Australia | ||||||||||||
| Clive Churchill Medal | Darren Lockyer(BRI) | ||||||||||||
| National anthem | David Campbell | ||||||||||||
| Referee | Bill Harrigan | ||||||||||||
| Attendance | 94,277 | ||||||||||||
| Broadcast partners | |||||||||||||
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| Commentators | |||||||||||||
Background
editThe2000 NRL seasonwas the 93rd season of professionalrugby leaguefootball in Australia and the third to be run by theNational Rugby League.Fourteen teams competed from February until August for theminor premiershipbefore the top eight teams played in the finals series, which culminated in thegrand final.The season and grand final were played a month earlier than usual due to the2000 Summer Olympicsheld in Sydney during September.
Brisbane Broncos
editThe2000 Brisbane Broncos seasonwas the thirteenth in the club's history. Coached byWayne Bennettand captained byKevin Walters,they finished the regular season 1st (out of 14 teams) to claim their 4thminor premiership.The Broncos played two finals matches (against the 8th-placedCronulla-Sutherland Sharksthen the 7th-placedParramatta Eels), winning both to qualify for their 5thgrand final.
Sydney Roosters
editThe2000 Sydney Roosters seasonwas the 93rd in the club's history. Coached byGraham Murrayand captained byBrad Fittler,they finished the regular season 2nd (out of 14 teams). After losing their first finals match, the Roosters won their next two to reach their 18thgrand final.
Teams
editFor Brisbane,Shane Webckewent into the match with a broken arm,[1]withTonie Carrollalso under an injury cloud. It was revealed after the match thatDarren Lockyerwas also in doubt due to illness.[2]
Sydney Roosters forwardLuke Ricketsonwas in doubt up until the day of the match due to a hamstring injury.[3]
| Brisbane Broncos | Position | Sydney Roosters | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Number | Number | Name | |
| Darren Lockyer | 1 | 1 | Luke Phillips | |
| Lote Tuqiri | 2 | 2 | Matt Sing | |
| Tonie Carroll | 3 | 3 | Ryan Cross | |
| Michael De Vere | 4 | 4 | Shannon Hegarty | |
| Wendell Sailor | 5 | 5 | Anthony Minichiello | |
| Ben Ikin | 6 | 6 | Brad Fittler(c) | |
| Kevin Walters(c) | 7 | 7 | Adrian Lam | |
| Shane Webcke | 8 | 8 | Ian Rubin | |
| Luke Priddis | 9 | 9 | Simon Bonetti | |
| Dane Carlaw | 10 | 10 | Peter Cusack | |
| Gorden Tallis | 11 | 11 | Bryan Fletcher | |
| Brad Thorn | 12 | 12 | Craig Fitzgibbon | |
| Kevin Campion | 13 | 13 | Luke Ricketson | |
| Harvey Howard | 14 | 14 | Dallas Hood | |
| Michael Hancock | 16 | 15 | David Solomona | |
| Shaun Berrigan | 17 | 16 | Shane Rigon | |
| Ashley Harrison | 18 | 17 | Craig Wing | |
| Wayne Bennett | Coach |
Graham Murray | ||
Match details
editFirst half
editSydney were unlucky not to have an early lead only three minutes in whenShannon Hegartygot over the line, but good cover defence by Brisbane fullbackDarren Lockyerstopped the Roosters from scoring. The Broncos opened the scoring with a penalty goal toMichael De Vereto make it 2–0 at the 12th minute. Four minutes later,Lote Tuqiriscored the first try of the grand final which was converted by De Vere to make it 8–0 in Brisbane's favour. Michael De Vere extended his side's lead out to 10–0 with another penalty goal in the 27th minute.[2]The Roosters opened their scoring in the 35th minute with a penalty goal toLuke Phillipsto make it 10–2 and it remained that scoreline until halftime.
Second half
editIn the first minute of play after the break, Broncos five-eighthBen Ikingot hit late with a high shot and went to the bench, missing twenty minutes of the second half. Brisbane had a chance to go ten in front with a penalty goal but missed marginally. However the Broncos extended their lead to 14–2 whenWendell Sailorscored in the 56th minute, but the conversion was unsuccessful by De Vere.[2]Craig Fitzgibbongot Sydney's first try of the match in the 71st minute to give the Roosters a glimmer of hope, but his conversion was unsuccessful as it dropped onto the cross bar and bounced out, leaving the score 14–6.
Scoreboard
editBrisbane Broncos
|
14 – 6 |  Sydney Roosters
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|---|---|---|
| Tries:2 Tuqiri  16'Sailor 54'Goals:3 De Vere  pen 11',17',pen 26'(3/5) |
1st: 10–2 2nd: 4–4 Report[4] |
Tries:1 Fitzgibbon 69'Goals:1 Phillips pen 33'(1/1)Fitzgibbon(0/1) |
Stadium Australia,Sydney
Attendance: 94,277[5] Referee:Bill Harrigan Touch judges: Steve Lyons, Phil Cooley Clive Churchill Medal:Darren Lockyer(Brisbane) |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Stevens, Jason(27 September 2009)."Tales of bravery sure to have you gritting your teeth".LeagueHQ.Fairfax Digital.Retrieved6 October2009.
- ^abcPramberg, Bernie (30 September 2006). "FLASHBACK 2000 BRONCOS v ROOSTERS".The Courier-Mail.Brisbane, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 114.
- ^Mascord, Steve; Walter, Brad (23 August 2000). "Murray fires opening shot at Bennett".Sydney Morning Herald.Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited. p. 46.
- ^Middleton, David (21 April 2024).Rugby League 2001.Sydney: Harper Sports. pp. 181–182.ISBN978-0732269265.
- ^"2000 NRL Grand Final".Rugby League Project.Retrieved8 March2023.