September 3: Akuila the Thriller runs riot; JT wins Rothmans
On this day, Jason Taylor wins the Rothmans Medal, Akuila Uate equals a Newcastle Knights record and Nathan Hindmarsh signs off in style.
1972
Robbie O’Davis was born in Kurrajong but grew up in Toowoomba where he played first grade as a 16-year-old alongside his father Peter.
The dynamic fullback debuted for Newcastle in 1992 and went on to play 223 games for the Knights over 13 seasons spanning the NSWRL, ARL and NRL eras, scoring 78 tries and kicking 45 goals.
O'Davis won two premierships with Newcastle, scoring two tries and being named Clive Churchill Medallist in the stunning victory over Manly in 1997 before capping his career with the 2001 title thanks to a 30-24 triumph over the Eels.
He represented the Maroons 12 times, scoring a try and kicking one goal, and was a member of the 1995 State of Origin series-winning squad.
O'Davis represented Australia six times, scoring six tries, and was part of the squad that claimed the 1995 World Cup.
1996
North Sydney halfback Jason Taylor wins the Rothmans Medal, becoming the second Bears player in three seasons (following David Fairleigh, 1994) to claim the award.
2011
Newcastle winger Akuila Uate flashes across for four tries to equal a club record as the Knights dispose of Souths 40-24 at Ausgrid Stadium and confirm their place in the finals.
2012
A bumper crowd of 45,863 turn out at ANZ Stadium as Parramata pair Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt and St George Illawarra’s Ben Hornby and Dean Young play the final game of their celebrated careers. The Dragons win 29-8 but 330-game veteran Nathan Hindmarsh earns a final cheer when he kicks the first goal of his career right on full-time.
2016
The Melbourne Storm wrap up their second minor premiership in six seasons when they overpower Cronulla 26-6 at AAMI Park. Winger Marika Koroibete pulls off one of the great try-saving tackles of the season when he barrels Sharks opposite Valentine Holmes into touch just before half-time.
2017
Jeremy Marshall-King, the younger brother of Benji Marshall, makes his NRL debut as Wests Tigers farewell departing stars James Tedesco and Aaron Woods with a 28-16 defeat of the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval.
2020
Andrew Abdo is formally appointed to the full-time role of NRL Chief Executive Officer.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
