League Unlimited

RUGBY LEAGUE - REMEMBERING THE NOUGHTIES
TOP TEN DRAMATIC MOMENTS OF THE DECADE

Welcome back to another Top Ten list, the fourth edition will show various dramatic moments of the decade. There was a heap of these, so lets get into the list!

Note: Remember you may not agree with the list, it isn't perfect. No "top ten" list ever is, but, feel free to share a match you thought should've been in there.

10th - AFL INVADES
Following the announcement that AFL would be bringing in two new teams into Rugby League areas, the AFL made a coup by signing their first ever Rugby League international, Karmichael Hunt. However, throughout 2009 the NRL has proven popular and powerful in the Western Sydney and Gold Coast areas.

9th - WARRIORS BREAK THE SALARY CAP
Early in 2006 the New Zealand Warriors were docked four competition points for going over the salary cap. This eventually cost them a spot in the finals that season. This followed the high profile signings of internationals Steve Price and Ruben Wiki.

8th - MANLY RETURNS
The disasterous Northern Eagles joint venture finished after the 2002 season, reverting back to the Manly Sea Eagles name. All of the home games would revert back to Brookvale as well. The rivalry is still strong even though North Sydney don't have a team, claiming Manly pushed them out. The Bears aren't down and out though, hoping to re-join the league as the Central Coast Bears in 2013.

7th - WAYNE BENNETT LEAVES BRISBANE
Never has a signing caused this much attention. After over 20 years at his beloved Brisbane Broncos, Wayne Bennett announced he would be joining the St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2009 season. Eventually, and ironically, Bennett's Dragons were knocked out by his former club, the Broncos.

6th - SOUTH SYDNEY'S RUSSELL CROWES
South Sydney supporters Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes à Court gained 75% of the South Sydney Rabbitohs club in early 2006 thanks to a vote by the members. This enabled Crowe to use his famed powers to sign internationals throughout the next few seasons.

5th - SONNY WALKS AWAY
The news headlines focused for weeks on the Sonny-Bill Williams walkout of the Canterbury Bulldogs during the 2008 season, causing contract concerns and the threat of French Rugby. It was eventually settled, the Bulldogs able to start fresh after the drama.

4th - GOLDEN POINT
The 2003 season bared one of the strangest rule changes in Rugby League history, the introduction of the Golden Point rule. The loss of draws (unless there was no score past 90 minutes) enabled edge-of-the-seat matches and some extremely memorable moments.

3rd - THE BULLDOGS LOSE 2002
The announcement that the Bulldogs were found guilty of going over $1 million over their 2001 and 2002 salary caps enabled the NRL to announce they would lose 37 competition points (the points the side earnt from wins so far), also seeing them win the wooden spoon. Rivals Sydney Roosters eventually won the competition.

2nd - THE COAST RETURNS
The return of the Gold Coast for the 2007 season was the first major expansion since Melbourne were introduced. The side remains popular, especially around the Gold Coast community.

1st - THE RETURN OF SOUTH SYDNEY
South Sydney supporters won their fight in the 2001 season to come back into the competition. Marches and protests from supporters lead to them winning their case for re-instatement into the competition. They returned in 2002, drawing their first official match (the Charity Shield) against St George Illawarra.