January 9: Tragedy strikes in PNG

On this day, tragedy strikes in Papua New Guinea with the death of Kumuls representative Kato Ottio.

1908

Glebe become the first club side formed to play in the 1908 NSWRL premiership. A meeting is held at Glebe Town Hall and the club's first patron is W.M.Hughes, who later became Australia's Prime Minister. The club finished the year in third place.

1989

Chris Sandow was born. The 2008 Dally M Rookie of the Year, Sandow played 159 NRL matches for both Parramatta and South Sydney before spending two years with English club Warrington.                   

2000

Queensland selectors say they will consider Allan Langer for selection in the 2000 State of Origin series despite playing in England. Langer's club, Warrington, respond by announcing they will not release him. In 2001, Langer returned from England to help Queensland win the Origin series.

2005

Great Britain Test forward Stuart Fielden reveals he narrowly avoided being caught up in the 2004 south-east Asian tsunami disaster while holidaying in Thailand.

2011

Immortal Bob Fulton is appointed chief advisor to NSW State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart as the NSWRL replaces the traditional four-man selection panel. 

2018

The game is rocked by the death of Papua New Guinea Test star Kato Ottio who collapsed in Port Moresby while on a training run with PNG Hunters players and died from severe heatstroke. Ottio was due to take up a contract with English Super League club Widnes.

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