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.
Captained by the irascible Frank 'Bumper' Farrell, Newtown, known then as the 'Bluebags, included such greats as Len Smith, Herb Narvo, Sid Goodwin, Charles 'Chicka' Cahill, Gordon McLennan and Tommy 'The Ghost' Nevin. The team defeated North Sydney 34-7 in the grand final at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a record crowd of over 60,000 people.
