April 21: Mitch cops injury blow; Mat dazzles Kiwis

On this day, JJ Giltinan pockets a winner, Mat Rogers dazzles the Kiwis and Mitchell Pearce suffers a serious pectoral injury.

1934

A match between the returned Kangaroos and The Rest is staged as a testimonial to one of the game's founders, James J. Giltinan. Giltinan is paid 50 per cent of the game's proceeds.

1989

Channel Ten secure league's television rights for the next three years for $43 million. It is the richest sporting deal in Australian television history.

2000

Australia score a record-breaking 52-0 romp over New Zealand before a disappointing crowd of 26,023 at Stadium Australia. Winger Mat Rogers contributes 24 points to become the highest points scorer in an Australia-New Zealand Test.

2003

Sydney Roosters grand final hero in 2002 Luke Phillips is forced to retire due to a combination of extensive surgery on his shoulder and both groins and a calcified hamstring. Phillips required 11 pain-killing injections to remain on the field during the premiership win over the Warriors.

2006

2009

Manly Leagues Club members vote overwhelmingly to sell the Leagues Club premises to the family of co-owner Scott Penn for $7.5 million.

2014

Teenage halfback Luke Brooks helps lift Wests Tigers to a thrilling 21-18 victory over Parramatta at ANZ Stadium. The Easter Monday clash attracts a crowd of 50,668 - the highest attendance ever for a premiership match on a Monday and a record for matches between the two clubs. The NRL consider making the match a permanent Easter Monday fixture.

2018

Newcastle co-captain Mitchell Pearce tears a pectoral muscle during his team’s 22-20 victory over Wests Tigers at Scully Park in Tamworth. After three months on the sideline Pearce returns in round 18.

2021

Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend signs a three-year deal with the Cowboys, reported to be worth $2 million.

This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.