National Museum of Australia - 100 years of the game

100 years of the game

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.

Many of these photographs are also on show in the League of Legends travelling photographic exhibition.

Image Gallery Page Navigation

Page 4 of 16

Photo of David Brown during a match wearing his trademark leather headgear

Courtesy Peter Clarke.

Known as 'the Bradman of league', Dave Brown is a legend of the game's early years. After losing his hair due to illness, Brown was easily distinguishable on the field by the leather headgear that became his trademark.

1933: The Human Bullet

Photo of Vic Hey wearing the Australian Rugby League uniform

Courtesy Melba Studios.

Vic Hey's nickname, 'the Human Bullet', indicates what a devastating player he was in attack and defence. A star with Western Suburbs, he also represented New South Wales, Queensland and Australia. He played in England for a decade before returning to see out his playing days with Parramatta.

1933: Thicknesse changes codes

Photo of Viv Thicknesse scoring a try for New South Wales

Courtesy Paul Hayes.

Viv Thicknesse scores for New South Wales. Thicknesse originally played rugby union but switched to league in 1931. He played half-back for Eastern Suburbs in its premiership-winning sides of 1935-37.

1934: The bush comes to town

Photo of City versus Country game in 1934

Courtesy Hood Collection, State Library of New South Wales.

A dominant City side defeated Country 28-14 in 1934, the year of the establishment of the Country Rugby League in New South Wales. The annual City versus Country game has been an important part of the representative season for many years.

1934: The Labor Daily Cup

Photo of Western Suburbs' captain-coach Frank McMillan, dressed in a black suit and bowler hat, holding the Labor Daily Cup

Hood Collection, State Library of New South Wales.

Western Suburbs' captain-coach Frank McMillan is shown here holding the Labor Daily Cup. The cup, sponsored by the Labor Daily newspaper, was valued at 52 pounds and 10 shillings, a huge amount in Depression-era Australia. Western Suburbs defeated Eastern Suburbs in the grand final 15-12.

1937: Scrummaging at sea

Photo of the 1937 Kangaroo players working on their scrummaging technique on the deck of the SS Awatea

Courtesy Edmond Scott.

Travelling to England by sea posed a challenge for teams wanting to maintain their fitness and skills. Here the 1937 Kangaroos work on their scrummaging technique on board the SS Awatea.

100 years of the game

100 years of the game

Image Gallery Page Navigation

1930s: Dave Brown

1933: The Human Bullet

1933: Thicknesse changes codes

1934: The bush comes to town

1934: The Labor Daily Cup

1937: Scrummaging at sea