Rugby league in Australia started as a rebel football competition established in defiance of the New South Wales Rugby Union. With its mix of hardness and athleticism, it has grown to become one of the most popular of Australian sports, a skilful fast-moving game that has the passionate support of its fans.
Here, relive some of the key moments and memorabilia, with photographs which bear testament to the great teams and personalities of the past.
Ed Sulkowicz crosses for Parramatta in the dying minutes of the 1977 grand final, levelling the scores at 9-all. Mick Cronin's attempted conversion missed, and the match had to be replayed the following Saturday, when St George defeated Parramatta 22-0. Amazingly, the Australian Rules grand final of the Victorian Football League, played the same day, also finished as a draw.
