NEWCASTLE v SYDNEY ROOSTERS
at BLUETONGUE STADIUM
2.00pm Sunday
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 34 (1988-2007) Sydney Roosters 18, Knights 14, draws 2
First clash:
Easts 34 beat Newcastle 17 at Agricultural Ground, 1908 (Rd 8)
Easts 26 beat Newcastle 10 at the SFS, 1988 (Rd 13)
Grand finals clashes: None
THE JERSEYS
The Sydney Roosters’ jersey is similar to the red, white and blue stripes worn when they were called Easts in their formative years. Newcastle will turn back the clock 100 years and wear red and white for the only time (with black shorts and socks). It is the same jersey worn by the league pioneers in 1908-09 before the city formed its own domestic competition.
THE RIVALRY
These two teams have an incredible rivalry, stemming from the fact one ended the others’ season in the finals in three out of four seasons from 2000-2003 (the Roosters victorious three of those times) – usually in dramatic circumstances.
Their tradition of dramatic finals began in 1998 when the Roosters won 26-15 after Newcastle had led 15-0 at half-time in front of a big home crowd. The Roosters scored three tries in the first 11 minutes of the second half, then kept the Knights scoreless for the last 40 minutes. However the Knights survived until the following week when Canterbury knocked them out.
In 2000 the Roosters won the preliminary final 26-20 after the Knights again crashed, after leading 16-2 at-half-time – to victory sealed when Brad Fittler latched onto an intercept from an Andrew Johns pass.
In 2001, the Knights looked to be in for another nightmare experience when Johns was KO’d in the opening minutes and staggered about. Yet moments later he scored an individual try soon and finished with seven goals for 18 points in a 40-6 victory.
In 2002 the Knights finished second but lost Johns with a back injury the first week of the finals against the Dragons. The next week Newcastle were Johns-less (a neck injury suffered last in the premiership rounds) and were put out of their misery 38-12 by the Roosters.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Entered competition: 1908 (as Eastern Suburbs)
Premierships: 12 (1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975 and 2002)
Most games: Luke Ricketson – 301
Most points: Craig Fitzgibbon – 1,258
Most tries: Bill Mullins – 104
KEY EVENTS
1908 Eastern Suburbs DRLFC is formed at a meeting at Paddington Town Hall on January 24.
1908 In their first match, Easts defeat Newtown 32-16 at Wentworth Park on April 20.
1913 After claiming their third consecutive premiership, Easts win ownership of the Agricultural Shield, which is then presented to their captain Messenger in recognition of his deeds.
1923 Five-eighth Harry Caples leads the Tricolours to the premiership.
1935 Dave Brown scores 45 points in Easts’ 87-7 victory over Canterbury, an individual total never surpassed. Brown finishes the season with 38 tries as Easts capture their fifth premiership.
1936 Easts embark on an undefeated run that sweeps them to a hat-trick of premiership victories. They remain unbeaten through the 1936 and 1937 competitions.
1940 Dave Brown returns from England to spearhead Easts to another title.
1945 Lock forward Dick Dunn experiences the great day of his career, scoring 19 points in Easts’ 22-18 defeat of Balmain in the premiership final
1967 Having lost all 18 matches in 1966, and now under the guidance of new coach Jack Gibson, the Roosters return to finals football.
1974 Jack Gibson steers the Roosters to their first grand final victory in 29 years, a 19-4 victory over Canterbury.
1975 Easts win a premiership record 19 consecutive games on the way to back-to-back titles. Their 38-0 defeat of St George is a record grand final-winning margin.
1996 The Roosters sign Brad Fittler from Penrith. For the next nine seasons the club is never out of the finals.
2002 In his first season as coach, Ricky Stuart plots the Roosters’ first grand final victory in 27 years – a 30-8 defeat of the Warriors.
2007 The Roosters become the first club to win 1000 premiership games.
DID YOU KNOW
Dally Messenger did not play in the Roosters’ initial first grade match on April 20, 1908 – he played reserve grade! It had nothing to do with his form; he had just returned from playing in England with the New Zealand All Golds and was to leave for Newcastle with the Kiwis a few days later, so elected to rest. But when Easts’ reserve grade side was short a man, he was loaned some playing gear and helped them out.
Roosters’ centre Dave Brown, the ‘Bradman of rugby league’ still holds the record for most points in a match with 45 (five tries, 15 goals) against Canterbury in 1935. He holds three of the top 10 feats when it comes to most points in a game (38 v Canterbury, 32 v Balmain) – recorded in Easts undefeated 1935 season. His 244 points that season stood as a competition record until Souths’ Eric Simms passed it in 1969.
THE HISTORY
NEWCASTLE
Entered competition: 1908 (Newcastle Knights 1988)
Premierships: Two (1997 and 2001)
Most games: Andrew Johns – 249
Most points: Andrew Johns – 2,176
Most tries: Timana Tahu – 123
In April 1908, Newcastle is named as the eighth team in the inaugural Sydney competition. This new club registers its first victory in round 3, 37-0 over Cumberland. Although disadvantaged by the slow train trek to Sydney every Saturday, the team finishes fifth. Winger Bill Bailey and forward Pat Walsh win places in the First Kangaroos.
In 1909, the team clinches a semi-final spot with a last-round win over South Sydney. The lost semi to Souths the following week is the last premiership appearance for a team from Newcastle for almost 80 years, as the team effectively ‘comes home’ to build a local competition.
KEY EVENTS
1987 On April 5, a new Newcastle club is invited into the NSWRL premiership for 1988. The team will be known as the ‘Newcastle Knights’ and wear red and blue.
1988 Kiwi international Sam Stewart is the inaugural captain, Allan McMahon the first coach. The Knights win their first game in round 2, 20–16 over Wests.
1992 In their debut finals appearance, Newcastle beat Wests 21–2, but then lose 3–2 to St George.
1994 Teenage halfback Andrew Johns scores a club record 23 points in his first run-on match (against Souths).
1995 The Knights stay with the ARL as the Super League war breaks out.
1997 Coached by English legend Mal Reilly, the Knights win the ARL grand final over Manly, Darren Albert scoring the winning try with seconds to go.
2001 The Knights claim a second premiership, running up a 24-nil halftime lead against Parramatta, then hanging on for 30–24.
2004 Hooker Danny Buderus becomes the second Knight to claim the Dally M player-of-the-year award (after Andrew Johns’ wins in 1998, 1999 and 2002).
2007 Andrew Johns announces his retirement on April 10, his decision forced by a potentially catastrophic neck injury.
DID YOU KNOW?
After signing a two year deal with Leeds from the end of this season, Danny Buderus forfeits a chance to become the club’s most prolific first grade player. This clash against the Roosters will be his 211th match, which places him fifth on the list behind Andrew Johns (249), Tony Butterfield (229), Robbie O’Davis (223) and Matthew Gidley (221).
The Knights have five players who played in both their grand final victories – Robbie O’Davis, Adam MacDougall, Mark Hughes, Andrew Johns and Billy Peden.
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