July 29: Joey smashes record; Gerard first to 300
On this day, Geoff Gerard becomes the first man in premiership history to play 300 games, Jason Taylor surpasses Daryl Halligan as the game's greatest pointscorer, the Rabbitohs name their Dream Team and Andrew Johns smashes his own record.
1924
Rugby League enters the radio age when the final of the 1924 competition is broadcast on 2SB (later 2BL). Balmain secretary Bob Savage’s call of the match between Balmain and Souths is the first football match broadcast on radio in Australia. Balmain won a desperately-fought game 3-0.
1989
Penrith's Geoff Gerard becomes the first man to play 300 first-grade matches. The milestone comes in round 18 against his former club Parramatta. Gerard's first grade career also include a stint at Manly and he would finish with 325 games.
2001
Parramatta halfback Jason Taylor takes only eight minutes to break Daryl Halligan’s premiership pointscoring record of 2034 points when he converts team-mate’s Michael Buettner’s try at Parramatta Stadium. The Eels humble North Queensland 62-0.
2001
Newcastle’s Andrew Johns smashes his own club record of 29 points in one game with a stunning 34-point haul against Canberra.
2004
South Sydney announce their Dream Team at a gala function at Sydney’s Westin Hotel. The team: Clive Churchill, Harold Horder, Paul Sait, Herb Gilbert, Ian Moir; Jim Lisle, Bob Grant; Ron Coote, Bob McCarthy, George Treweek, John Sattler (c), Elwyn Walters, John O’Neill. Interchange: Ray Branighan, Greg Hawick, Ian Roberts, Les Cowie. Coach: Jack Rayner.
2007
Manly centre Jamie Lyon claims Parramatta fans hurled coins at him and his team-mates during the Sea Eagles’ 32-24 victory. It is Lyon’s first match at Parramatta Stadium since walking out on the Eels in 2004.
2009
Brisbane Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt stuns the Australian sporting community by confirming he has signed to play AFL with the new Gold Coast franchise. The three-year deal is reported to be worth as much as $3 million.
2016
Boom signing Kieran Foran is officially released by Parramatta after receiving a $150,000 termination payment from the club. Foran played only nine games for the Eels after being overwhelmed by injury and personal issues.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
