December 22: Mackay retires; Night football arrives in 1920s
On this day, night football arrives in rugby league in a nines format, Cooper Cronk wins the Golden Boot and Brad Mackay hangs up his boots.
1928
The first night rugby league is played when Easts and Souths play a nine-a-side exhibition match at Sydney Showground.
1989
Jharal Yow Yeh was born in Brisbane. He made his NRL debut with Brisbane in 2009 and two years later was representing Queensland and Australia, each on three occasions.
He suffered an ankle injury early in 2012 and despite undergoing surgeries to repair the damage, he was forced to retire after just 60 matches for the Broncos at the age of 22.
1993
David Klemmer was born in Sydney. The towering prop broke into the NRL in 2013 with the Bulldogs and played 113 games for the club, including the grand final loss to Souths in 2014, before joining Newcastle in 2019. A mainstay of the NSW and Kangaroos forward packs, he established a reputation as one of the world's best front-rowers.
1995
Penrith launch court action against Sydney City signings Brad Fittler and Matt Sing, who Penrith claim are still contracted to that club.
1996
The ARL refuses to hand judiciary records over to Super League.
2000
The NRL announces that the 2001 opening round match between Melbourne and the Bulldogs will be played indoors at Colonial Stadium.
2000
Former Illawarra, Western Reds and St George utility player Brad Mackay announces his retirement from the game. Mackay played 217 first-grade games between 1987-99 and won the Clive Churchill Medal in a beaten side in the St George's 1993 grand final loss to Brisbane. He played 17 Origins for NSW and 12 Tests.
2005
Test forward Craig Fitzgibbon is appointed captain of the Sydney Roosters for 2006.
2008
Brisbane release former Queensland Origin rep David Stagg, allowing him to join the Bulldogs.
2009
Cronulla forward Paul Gallen reveals he wants to quit the club because of its tough stance on his off and on-field indiscretions. The Daily Telegraph claims he has been in secret negotiations with Wests Tigers and Manly. Within days, Gallen announces he will remain with the club despite being “disappointed” and “frustrated” over several issues with Cronulla.
2010
Greg Inglis meets with Essendon AFL coach James Hird as his contract stand-off between Souths and the NRL continues.
2010
Cronulla lock Paul Gallen wins the coveted Harry Sunderland Medal as Australia’s best player in the Four Nations series.
2016
Melbourne, Queensland and Australian halfback Cooper Cronk is named winner of the prestigious Golden Boot award as the best player in the world by English magazine Rugby League World.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
