January 22: Sea Eagles take flight; Cam and Billy to be cast in bronze

On this day, Noel Kelly is born, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles club is established and Storm legends to get their own statues.

1936

NRL Hall of Fame member Noel Kelly was born. Widely regarded as one of the toughest men to have pulled on a boot, Kelly played 28 Tests for Australia and spent nine years playing for the Western Suburbs Magpies. In his time with the Magpies, he was sent off 17 times. The league community was saddened in June, 2020 when Kelly passed away at age 84. 

1947

The inaugural meeting of the Manly Warringah club is held at the Soldiers' Memorial Hall in Manly. After entering the competition that year, the Sea Eagles have won eight premierships.

1996

The NSW Government details plans for a 110,000 seat Olympic Stadium at Homebush. It was open in time for the 1999 NRL season. A crowd of 107,999 attended the '99 grand final between Melbourne and the Dragons.

2006

Parramatta announces that Newcastle's Michael Hagan has signed a three-year deal to coach the Eels from 2007.

2020

The Melbourne Storm confirm club legends Billy Slater and Cameron Smith will be cast in bronze with statues of the pair to be installed adjacent to AAMI Park.

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