August 5: Knights legends say goodbye; Presto calls it a day

On this day a pair of Knights legends say goodbye, the ARL takes its first look at a two-ref system and three Bunnies greats pay the price for a horror season.

1990    

South Sydney’s horror season continues with Craig Coleman, Mario Fenech and Les Davidson all replaced, uninjured, 16 minutes into the second half of an embarrassing 38-12 loss to the Gold Coast. Coach George Piggins was sacked the following day.

1990

1995

The ARL trial the use of two referees in a reserve grade Metropolitan Cup match between Guildford and Hills District.

2000

Tony Butterfield and Matthew Johns play their final home games for the Knights in a 30-16 win over Melbourne at Marathon Stadium. 

2002

Dragons prop Luke Bailey is charged with biting Newcastle’s Josh Perry after television footage shows Bailey’s mouth making contact with Perry’s forearm.

2006

Current Sea Eagles Steve Menzies and Ben Kennedy are named in Manly’s Greatest Team, announced at a function at Manly Leagues Club.

The team is: Graham Eadie; Ray Branighan, Bob Fulton, Michael O’Connor, Ken Irvine; Wally O’Connell, Geoff Toovey; Malcolm Reilly, Steve Menzies, Terry Randall, Roy Bull, Max Krilich, John O’Neill. Reserves: Des Hasler, Cliff Lyons, Ben Kennedy, Paul Vautin.

2010

Brad Fittler is named alongside Dally Messenger, Dave Brown, Jack Gibson and Arthur Beetson in the inaugural Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame.

2011

Gold Coast favourite Preston Campbell announces he will retire at the end of the season after having earlier decided to play on in 2012.

2014

The NRL confirm the return of the Auckland Nines in 2015; the two-day event to be held at Eden Park on the weekend of January 31 and February 1. Prizemoney for the event will reach $2.4 million.

2021

The World Cup is officially postponed until 2022 following the withdrawal of Australian and New Zealand teams. “Today is a challenging moment for everyone involved in rugby league, but, most importantly, the players and fans of the competing nations,” said RLWC2021 CEO John Dutton. “However, we and the sport of rugby league are resilient and next year we will deliver our vision of the biggest and best rugby league World Cup ever.”

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