November 20: Lockyer's Golden double; Rise of the Wolfman

On this day, the first and only rugby league player draft is held, Australia retain the Ashes and Darren Lockyer completes a Golden double.

1990   

Controversial player draft is instigated with most clubs getting the players they wanted. The significant player movements were David Gillespie, Joe Thomas and Paul Langmack  to Wests, Peter Jackson and Phil Blake to Norths, Les Davidson to Cronulla, Bruce McGuire and Scott Tronc to Canterbury, Trevor Gillmeister to Brisbane and Paul Dunn to Penrith.

1994   

Australia retain the Ashes with a dominating 23-4 victory over Great Britain in the third Test at Elland Road. Bob Fulton announces he would seek reappointment as Australian coach after the 1995 World Cup.

2001   

Australian coach Chris Anderson is rushed to hospital in Leeds after experiencing chest pains during a gymnasium workout.

2002   

The NRL’s annual conference begins in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Officials voice their overwhelming support for sudden-death extra time to decide drawn premiership games.

2004   

Great Britain finish at the top of the Tri-Nations ladder at the completion of the round-robin stage after defeating New Zealand 26-24 at Hull.

2006   

Australian captain Darren Lockyer becomes the second player to win the Golden Boot award twice when he is honoured at a function in Sydney.

2008   

Manly winger David 'Wolfman' Williams continues his dream rise when he is called into Australia’s team for the World Cup final after Brent Tate withdraws with a hip flexor injury.

2012   

The ARLC’s momentous decision to outlaw the shoulder charge is met with a barrage of criticism by players and coaches, who brand the move an over-reaction. Even retired Dragons forward Dean Young, who was rendered unconscious by a Greg Inglis shoulder charge in 2012, opposed the decision.

2016   

Australia regain the ranking as the number one rugby league nation by powering to a 34-8 victory over New Zealand in the Four Nations final at Anfield Stadium.

2017   

Manly agree to a release for five-eighth Blake Green to take up a three-year deal with the Warriors.

2018       

Cronulla fullback Valentine Holmes announces he is quitting the Sharks to pursue his ambition of playing in the NFL. Holmes had a year to run on his contract with Cronulla.

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