The2000 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 till August for the NRL Premiership, culminating in the2000 NRL Grand finalbetween theBrisbane Broncosand theSydney Roosters.
| 2000 National Rugby League | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 February – 27 August 2000 |
| Teams | 14 |
| Premiers |  Brisbane(5th title) |
| Minor premiers | Brisbane(5th title) |
| Matches played | 191 |
| Points scored | 8,050 |
| Average attendance | 15,494 |
| Attendance | 2,959,390 |
| Top points scorer(s) |  Joel Caine(224) |
| Dally M Medal |  Trent Barrett |
| Top try-scorer(s) | Nathan Blacklock(25) |
Season summary
editThe 2000 National Rugby League season started with a new CEO in rugby union'sDavid Moffettwho replacedNeil Whittakerin late 1999.[1]
The season began in early February to accommodate theSydney 2000 Olympic Gameswhich were to be held during September and required the use ofStadium Australia,the grand final venue. The grand final was scheduled for late August, the first grand final in that month since1963.The capacity of Stadium Australia for the grand final was limited due to preparations for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, which would take place just nineteen days later.
Throughout the month of February, mandatory breaks in play at the 20th and 60th minute of the game were implemented to allow players to rehydrate themselves. Due to concerns over the summer heat, theBrisbaneandNorth Queenslandclubs played their first four games away from home.
The Cowboys were stripped of two competition points after it was later revealed that they unwittingly used a fourteenth player for three minutes in their 26–18 win against theParramatta Eels,due to an error in interchanging players.
Melbourne StormplayersStephen KearneyandMarcus Baiended the career ofWests TigerscaptainJarrod McCrackenwith a spear tackle. Kearney was suspended for 8 matches and Bai for 2 matches. The two men were also sued by McCraken, who won a six-figure damages bill.
TheCanberra Raidersand theWests Tigersbecame the first teams to play a premiership game in the snow. It occurred at Bruce Stadium on 28 May and it is the only premiership game played in these conditions.
Teams
editThe season saw the debut of theWests Tigers(formed by the merging of theBalmain TigersandWestern Suburbs Magpies) andNorthern Eagles(formed by the merging of theManly-Warringah Sea EaglesandNorth Sydney Bears) in the National Rugby League. In addition, theSouth Sydney Rabbitohswere excluded from the competition, thereby completing the NRL's rationalisation process from 20 teams in1998to 14 in 2000.
For the 2000 season, theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogschanged their name again, this time to the geographically indistinct "Bulldogs" and the Auckland Warriors were re-branded the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season.
Advertising
editFor the first time since farewellingTina Turnerin 1995 the NRL used a major recording star in its promotional campaign and accessed a media budget that saw the launch ad shown regularly throughout the season. Sydney advertising agency VCD in the last of their four-year tenure on the NRL account shot an ad withTom Jonesperforming on stage alongside hi-kicking female dancers,[2]the 1993Salt-N-PepahitWhatta Manwith lyrics re-worked as "What A Game".
Records and statistics
edit- Martin Langran 4,571 metres with the ball in 2000, more than any other player in the competition.[3]
- Melbourne Stormclub record for their biggest ever win and most points in a game: 70–10 overSt. George Illawarra Dragonsin round 5.
- Melbourne Stormclub record for their biggest ever loss: 50–4 loss toSt. George Illawarra Dragonsin round 18.
- St. George Illawarra Dragonsclub record for their biggest ever win: 50–4 overMelbourne Stormin round 18.
- North Queensland Cowboysscored their first ever 50 points in a game: 50–10 overNorthern Eaglesin round 8.
Ladder
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Broncos(P)
|
26 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 696 | 388 | +308 | 38 | |
| 2 |  Sydney Roosters
|
26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 601 | 520 | +81 | 32 | |
| 3 |  Newcastle Knights
|
26 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 686 | 532 | +154 | 31 | |
| 4 |  Canberra Raiders
|
26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 506 | 479 | +27 | 30 | |
| 5 |  Penrith Panthers
|
26 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 573 | 562 | +11 | 30 | |
| 6 |  Melbourne Storm
|
26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 672 | 529 | +143 | 29 | |
| 7 |  Parramatta Eels
|
26 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 476 | 456 | +20 | 29 | |
| 8 |  Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 570 | 463 | +107 | 26 | |
| 9 | St George Illawarra Dragons
|
26 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 576 | 656 | -80 | 24 | |
| 10 | Wests Tigers
|
26 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 519 | 642 | -123 | 24 | |
| 11 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
26 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 469 | 553 | -84 | 21 | |
| 12 |  Northern Eagles
|
26 | 9 | 0 | 17 | 476 | 628 | -152 | 18 | |
| 13 |  Auckland Warriors
|
26 | 8 | 2 | 16 | 426 | 662 | -236 | 18 | |
| 14 |  North Queensland Cowboys
|
26 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 436 | 612 | -176 | 121 | |
1North Queensland were stripped of 2 competition points due to a breach of the interchange rule in Round 4.
Ladder progression
edit- 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
| 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 | Brisbane
|
1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 38 |
| 2 | Sydney
|
2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| 3 | Newcastle
|
0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 31 |
| 4 | Canberra
|
2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| 5 | Penrith
|
2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| 6 | Melbourne
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
| 7 | Parramatta
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 29 |
| 8 | Cronulla
|
2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 |
| 9 | St George Illawarra
|
0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 |
| 10 | Wests
|
1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| 11 | Bulldogs
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| 12 | Northern Eagles
|
2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 13 | Auckland
|
2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 |
| 14 | North Queensland
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Finals series
editThe biggest upset of the 2000 Finals series was in the 3rd Qualifying Final when 7th placedParramatta Eelsbeat 2nd placedSydney Roosters32–8 at theSFS.It was nearly a similar story for Minor Premiers' theBrisbane Broncoswhen they came from 20-6 down at halftime to win 34–20 against 8th placedCronulla-Sutherland Sharksin the 4th Qualifying Final atQSAC.TheSydney Roostersalso made a famous comeback when they came from 16-2 down at halftime to win 26–20 against theNewcastle Knightsin the 1st Preliminary Final at theSFSto earn a spot in the Grand final against Brisbane.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and time | Venue | Referee | Crowd | |||||
| Qualifying Finals | ||||||||
| Canberra Raiders
|
34–16 | Penrith Panthers
|
4 August 2000 | Bruce Stadium | Steve Clark | 18,479 | ||
| Newcastle Knights
|
30–16 | Melbourne Storm
|
5 August 2000 | Marathon Stadium | Tim Mander | 20,597 | ||
| Sydney Roosters
|
8–32 | Parramatta Eels
|
5 August 2000 | Sydney Football Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 21,377 | ||
| Brisbane Broncos
|
34–20 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
|
6 August 2000 | ANZ Stadium | Paul Simpkins | 25,831 | ||
| Semi-finals | ||||||||
| Parramatta Eels
|
28–10 | Penrith Panthers
|
12 August 2000 | Sydney Football Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 25,746 | ||
| Canberra Raiders
|
10–38 | Sydney Roosters
|
13 August 2000 | Sydney Football Stadium | Tim Mander | 16,441 | ||
| Preliminary Finals | ||||||||
| Newcastle Knights
|
20–26 | Sydney Roosters
|
19 August 2000 | Sydney Football Stadium | Bill Harrigan | 33,727 | ||
| Brisbane Broncos
|
16–10 | Parramatta Eels
|
20 August 2000 | Stadium Australia | Tim Mander | 31,087 | ||
Chart
edit| Qualifying finals | Semifinals | Preliminary finals | Final | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | Brisbane | 34 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Cronulla | 20 | 1W | Brisbane | 16 | |||||||||||||
| 4W | Parramatta | 28 | Parramatta | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | Sydney | 8 | 2L | Penrith | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Brisbane | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Parramatta | 32 | ||||||||||||||||
| Sydney | 6 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Newcastle | 30 | 2W | Newcastle | 20 | |||||||||||||
| 6 | Melbourne | 16 | 3W | Canberra | 10 | Sydney | 26 | |||||||||||
| 1L | Sydney | 38 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Canberra | 34 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Penrith | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
Grand final
edit| Brisbane Broncos
|
14 – 6 | Sydney Roosters
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Player statistics
editThe following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 26.
|
Top 5 point scorers
Top 5 try scorers
|
Top 5 goal scorers
|
2000 Transfers
editPlayers
edit
Coaches
edit| Coach | 1999 Club | 2000 Club |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Pearce |  Balmain Tigers
|
Wests Tigers
|
| Peter Sharp |  Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
|
Northern Eagles
|
| Graham Murray |  Super League:Leeds Rhinos
|
Sydney Roosters
|
References
edit- ^Hadfield, Dave (30 November 1999)."Moffett insists conversion is no miracle".The Independent.UK: Independent News and Media Limited.Retrieved24 December2009.
- ^Mealey, Rachel (29 January 2000)."Tom Jones the new voice of NRL".abc.net.au.Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Retrieved3 July2009.
- ^Proszenko, Adrian (6 May 2012)."Gallen set to smash record".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved7 May2012.
- ^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.