February 28: Joey shows courage; Dallas shows speed

On this day, blistering Brett the fastest man in footy, Joey makes his comeback and the Supercoach backs Redcliffe for NRL expansion.

1976

The scorer of one of the most famous tries in grand final history, Darren Albert, was born on this day. As a 21-year-old in 1997, Albert would take an inside pass from future Immortal Andrew Johns in the dying seconds of an epic decider against Manly and score under the posts, sending the entire city of Newcastle into a frenzy.

1993   

Canterbury winger Brett Dallas claims the title of Rugby League’s fastest player when he wins the Buttercup Sprint Challenge at Botany Bay.

1998   

Canberra back Ken Nagas is ruled out for almost half the season after injuring his knee while “skylarking” on the team bus on the way home from a trial match in Albury.

1999   

The NRL launch their 1999 advertising campaign featuring award-winning author and ardent Manly supporter Thomas Keneally.

2001   

Sharks front-rower Chris Beattie is suspended for two matches after being found guilty of deliberately biting Eels’ five-eighth Daniel Wagon.

2002   

Canberra five-eighth Mark McLinden reveals he has lived with a hole in his heart since birth.

2003   

South Sydney coach Craig Coleman claims the Rabbitohs have unearthed a potential superstar in Tongan forward Fuifui Moimoi.

2004   

Andrew Johns makes a successful return from a career-threatening neck injury in Newcastle’s 12-10 trial victory over North Queensland.

2009   

South Sydney down St George Illawarra 18-6 to claim the Charity Shield for the fourth time in five years. A crowd of 25,871 watches the clash at ANZ Stadium.

2020

Veteran coach Wayne Bennett throws his support behind the expansion of the NRL and says a second Brisbane club is the obvious way to go. "Redcliffe is the way to go," he said. "They have a ready-made club for the NRL."

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