March 22: Stacey Jones turns back the clock
On this day in history, Kiwi legend Stacey Jones reminds everyone of his greatness as he storms back into the NRL after a three-year absence and the Raiders take revenge.
1992
The Raiders gain a small measure of revenge for their 1991 grand final loss at the hands of the Panthers.
Playing in front of the Green Machine faithful at Bruce Stadium, Canberra opens the new season with a 14-10 win on the back of tries to Brad Clyde and Brett Mullins.
The win turns out to be one of only 10 for the season for the Raiders who fail to make the finals after playing in the previous three deciders (1989-91).
1998
Rival coaches Wayne Bennett (Brisbane) and Steve Folkes (Canterbury) call for the abolition of the unlimited interchange rule. Interchanges would later be limited to 12 in 2001, then reduced to 10 in 2008.
2003
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy compares rookie Billy Slater to a young Brad Fittler after his second impressive performance, scoring two tries at fullback after scoring one on the wing in his debut against Cronulla a week earlier.
2009
Stacey Jones makes a triumphant return to the NRL as the Warriors defeat the Sea Eagles 26-24 at Brookvale Oval.
Having left the NRL at the end of 2005 to move to Catalans for two seasons and then spent 2008 with club side Point Chevalier in Auckland, Jones is back in a big way as the Warriors come back from 24-16 down to win.
Jones lays on a try for Brent Tate with a chip and regather before a perfectly placed bomb sets up Jerome Ropati to level the scores late in the match. Denan Kemp pilots the conversion to seal the win.
Stacey Jones - Hall of Fame
2010
Manly CEO Graham Lowe and Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens call for a "coach's challenge" to be introduced to prevent blatant errors from match officials.
2017
North Queensland announce the richest player deal in NRL history when they sign lock Jason Taumalolo to a 10-year contract understood to be in the $10 million ballpark.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton
