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The NRL was formed following re-unification of the Super League and ARL competitions into the National Rugby League premiership. Rugby League began the long path back to recovery in December 1997 when the two warring parties formed a joint board to run an elite rugby league competition in Australia. It was called the NRL or National Rugby League.But the seasons to come would not be without further ongoing pain to clubs, players and fans alike. NRL 1998Despite the obvious imbalance in the number of Sydney teams in the so called national NRL competition, three expansion teams - Hunter Mariners (1997), Perth Reds (1995-97) and South Queensland Crushers (1995-97) - were all closed down in the lead up to the compromise of December 1997. The nineteen remaining teams (11 of which were in Sydney) were joined by the Melbourne Storm for the initial season of the NRL National Rugby League premiership. A condition of the peace agreement was that the number of teams be reduced to 14 for the 2000 season - there would be much more pain ahead for rugby league but for the moment at least there was some footy to enjoy. At the end of the 1998 season the Illawarra Steelers (est.1982) and the famous St. George Dragons (est.1921) formed the first NRL joint venture - the St.George-Illawarra Dragons were born. This was followed by decisions from the ARL and News Ltd which seemed to bely the inclusion of the word "National" in the NRL premiership's name - they closed down the Gold Coast Chargers (who started as the Giants in 1988) and the Adelaide Rams (est.1997). >>> 1998 Review >>> NRL 1999Throughout the 1999 season much of the game's focus was in the boardrooms as the NRL confirmed that the 2000 season would feature only 14 teams. For the first time, many clubs and fans entered the season not knowing if this would be their team's last. By season's end in 1999 some fans were surprised and delighted at their inclusion for 2000, for others exclusion came as an ever growing reality or in some cases life-shattering shock. The onfield drama of 1999 NRL Grand Final quickly gave way to the impending announcement of the 14 teams for the 2000 competition. Balmain and Wests had already negotiated the game's second NRL joint venture - the Wests Tigers. The North Sydney Bears seemed to be heading to the Central Coast and security until they encountered dire financial difficulties. While Manly were apparently clear of the threat of exclusion the club continued to ponder over their long-term ability to compete at the top. Manly and Norths then joined together to form the Northern Eagles, which left 15 teams vying for the 14 NRL positions. Souths and Penrith both stood firm and knocked back opportunities to merge with other teams, but they looked to be the most vulnerable. On October 15, 1999 the NRL announced that the pride of the game of rugby league in Australia since 1908 - the South Sydney Rabbitohs - would not be invited to participate in the 2000 NRL competition. >>> 1999 Review >>> NRL 2000South Sydney commenced a legal challenge against their exclusion and gained support from many fans of other clubs - some missed being able to see their team play against their traditional foe while others came from the disaffected supporters who had lost their team to a merger.
The Rabbitohs lost their initial legal action despite putting forward
a strong argument. Souths continued their battle against the NRL in
the courts, as Manly and Norths looked to ensure the financial well-being
of their struggling joint venture Northern Eagles. NRL 2001In NRL season 2001 the Courts again had their effect on rugby league. On July 6 the Federal Court found in favour of South Sydney and the NRL immediately announced the Rabbitohs would return in a 15 team competition in 2002. Across the Sydney Harbour, the Northern Eagles joint venture saga came to a sorry conclusion at season's end. Manly took control of the licence for 2002, while the North Sydney Bears and Gosford remained on the outer. >>> 2001 Review >>> NRL 2002Aside from the Northern Eagles abandoning the Central Coast after very poor early season crowds, the NRL 2002 season was the most "settled" yet seen. Talk of entering a 16th club from Gosford, Gold Coast, Perth or New Zealand continued through the year. However, the NRL restated on many occassions that the competition was only able to sustain 15 clubs for the forseeable future. The season was marked though by the Canterbury Bulldogs breach of the salary cap that saw them demoted to the tail of the field late in the regular season - at the time the misdemeanours were revealed the Bulldogs were in first place and certain Minor Premiers. >>> 2002 Review >>> (soon!)
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