December 16: Thurston becomes doctor; Freddy drafts Blues legends

On this day, Johnathan Thurston is awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters, John Quayle switches to the Olympics and Saturday afternoon football is scrapped. 

1961

Steve Anderson was born. A young utility back, he made his first-grade debut for Wests in 1982 and switched to Cronulla the following season, playing 24 games to bring his career tally to 36. Anderson died in a car accident in early 1984. 

1993   

Brisbane centre Steve Renouf signs a new contract with the Broncos, tying him to the club until the end of the 1996 season.

1996   

Outgoing ARL chief executive John Quayle is appointed to a powerful post on the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, in which he will oversee the organisation of venues for the 2000 games.

1997   

Gold Coast chief executive Paul Broughton announces his retirement at the club’s annual general meeting. His involvement in the game spanned 45 years.

1999   

The NRL sticks with the controversial eight-team final series format for 2000, despite the reduction in teams from 17 to 14.

1999   

The Melbourne Storm announce they will play their grand final rematch against St George Illawarra at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, March 3, 2000.

2000   

NRL chief executive David Moffett announces a six-year naming rights sponsorship with Telstra, reportedly worth $72 million.

2002   

ARL chairman Colin Love announces that an International Sevens tournament featuring the 15 NRL clubs and nine international teams will be staged on February 1-2, 2003.

2009   

Halfback of the Century Andrew Johns embarks on a relief mission to tsunami-ravaged Samoa. He is joined by Wendell Sailor, Nigel Vagana, Roy Asotasi and a number of Australian surfers.

2010   

Dual-premiership winning centre Paul Whatuira agrees to join Parramatta on a one-year deal.

2014   

Ben Hornby and Dean Young, members of St George Illawarra’s 2010 premiership-winning team, are added to the full-time coaching staff of Dragons mentor Paul McGregor.

2015   

Manly announce the signing of South Sydney grand final-winning centre Dylan Walker to a four-year contract.

2015   

Wests Tigers name Robbie Farah in a seven-man leadership group for 2016, confirming he will remain at the club after he was initially asked to find a new team. Chief executive Justin Pascoe apologises that the Farah fiasco had been allowed to “play out publicly”.

2015   

Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston receives yet another honour in a year of resounding achievement when he is awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by James Cook University.

2017   

Incoming New South Wales coach Brad Fittler makes key appointments to his staff, including Danny Buderus as assistant coach, along with Blues great Paul Sironen and respected Cowboys football manager Peter Parr.

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