June 3: Origin glory for Blues; Hazem becomes top Dog
On this day in league history, Dally Messenger sets an enduring record, Hazem becomes a top Dog and Freddy's Blues regain the Origin shield.
1911
The legendary Dally Messenger scores 32 points in New South Wales’ 65-9 demolition of Queensland at the Agricultural Ground. Messenger’s record score in an interstate match has been equalled (by Ryan Girdler in 2000) but never beaten.
1950
A crowd of 70,419, at the time the biggest crowd ever to pack into the Sydney Cricket Ground, watch Ernest Ward’s British tourists beat NSW 20-13.
1992
NSW wrap up their fourth State of Origin series win with a commanding 16-4 victory over Queensland at the Sydney Football Stadium. Ricky Stuart is named man of the match.
1996
NSW regain the State of Origin shield with an 18-6 victory over Queensland in the second match of the series at the Sydney Football Stadium. Queensland’s Craig Greenhill becomes the first player sent off in State of Origin football.
2001
Revolutionary knee surgery saves the career of St George Illawarra centre Shaun Timmins. Meanwhile NSW selectors make seven changes to the team beaten 34-16 in the opening State of Origin match. Mark O’Meley, Matt Adamson and Andrew Ryan are selected to make their Origin debuts. Darren Lockyer is named captain of Queensland, replacing the injured Gorden Tallis.
2005
Veteran Sydney Roosters forward Luke Ricketson announces he will retire at the end of the 2005 season.
2006
Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri breaks Terry Lamb’s club tryscoring record in his team’s 38-22 defeat of Newcastle. El Masri, who contributed 22 points to the win, also kicked his 600th career goal.
2015
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans turns his back on a lucrative four-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans to re-sign with the Sea Eagles in a record-breaking eight-year deal reportedly worth $10 million.
2020
Canberra second-rower John Bateman faces an indefinite period on the sidelines as he undergoes a second bout of surgery on an injured shoulder.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
