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Treasures of the game

Over the past 100 years, rugby league teams have been united by a common goal: the desire to bring home the trophy. Awards including the Winfield cups and the State of Origin shield inspire players and fans, capturing the competitive spirit of the game.

These trophies, along with treasured caps, footballs and other memorabilia on show in the League of Legends exhibition are a link to the great moments and personalities of the past 100 years.

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Thumbnail of Winfield State of Origin Shield

Thumbnail of 1980 New South Wales State of Origin jersey

Thumbnail of the Queensland Winfield Cup

Representative cap, 1906-07

New South Wales Rugby Football League cap presented to Dally Messenger, 1907

Courtesy Canterbury Bulldogs. Photo: Lannon Harley.

New South Wales Rugby Union representative cap presented to Dally Messenger, 1906–07.

In the early days of rugby league, players selected for state and national teams received embroidered and tasselled caps, hence the term being 'capped'. This tradition was born of other colonial sports such as cricket and rugby union.

A player only received one cap for their career with a particular side. This cap reflects Dally Messenger's earlier career, before he switched from union to league.



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Treasures of the game

Representative cap, 1906-07

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