On this day, Mark 'Piggy' Riddell got up close and personal with Dragons fans with a memorable try celebration, while Bob Cooper copped a long suspension for his role in a brawl at Wollongong Showground.
1895
Jimmy Craig is born. One of the game's early greats, Craig represented NSW, Queensland and Australia. He was known for his versatility and played at halfback, five-eighth, fullback and centre. He died in 1959 and was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2005.
1982
Hard-line judiciary boss Jim Comans hands Western Suburbs second-rower Bob Cooper a record 15-month suspension after a violent brawl in a match in Wollongong.
1996
Dual Roosters premiership winner Joseph Manu was born on this day in Hamilton, NZ. Manu debuted with the Roosters in 2016 and was one of the team's best players in their 2018 grand final win over Melbourne. He made it back-to-back titles with the Roosters in 2019. He has played eight Tests for the Kiwis since debuting against Australia in 2018.
2002
St George Illawarra hooker Mark Riddell devises the most novel post-try celebration of the season when he leaps the WIN Stadium fence, takes a seat and applauds his own four-pointer during his team’s 45-18 defeat of North Queensland.
Riddell sits back and applauds his four-pointer
2020
South Sydney winger Alex Johnston reveals he is likely to be squeezed out of the club at the end of the 2020 season due to salary cap pressures.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
