THE RL1908 BLOG
News, Reviews & Opinion - Sean Fagan - RL1908.com
| "LEAGUE OF LEGENDS" - RUGBY LEAGUE EXHIBITION |
“Without hesitation I would say that never before in its 100-year history has our game produced anything that has come remotely near to matching this marvellous collection of treasures, stories and memories. It is a fantastic passing parade of the 100-year story – our own Aladdin's Cave, really, when you consider the priceless nature of so many of the items on display”
Colin Love, Rugby League Centenary Committee Chairman
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There is much to witness and get involved in during our Centenary year, but I doubt much will come close to topping the League of Legends exhibition.
Brought together by the National Museum of Australia, under the careful eye of its Senior Curator (and league fan) Guy Hansen, this is a terrific celebration of 100 years of rugby league in Australia.
Showcasing the game's greatest memorabilia, photographs, jerseys, trophies, footballs, caps and other long-forgotten artefacts, League of Legends tours the eastern states from March 2008 to July 2009.
Nothing in the game's past has ever come close to the quality and sheer scope of this exhibition of rugby league's treasures.
Items have come from far and wide - from museums, rugby league clubs and collectors, Leagues Clubs and numerous state and national bodies.
Brought together in the League of Legends exhibition, the likelihood of any of us getting the opportunity to see all of these items together again is extremely remote.
Utilising the support of the members of the Rugby League Centenary Committee's historians panel, Guy Hansen and his team have gone to great lengths to tell the story of rugby league's century through the memorabilia
on display.
Each item is carefully presented, with
accompanying text and historical information.
League of Legends also includes film and video highlights of famous moments, as well as the numerous advertising campaigns of recent decades. The earliest memento of the exhibition is the NSW cap presented to Dally Messenger for competing in the 1907 NSW v New Zealand All Golds clash. It is among several of Messenger's personal items.
Other items include Tedda Courtney's jersey from the 1908-09 Kangaroo tour; a match ball used in England on the 1911-12 Kangaroo tour; Clive Churchill's shoulder pads and 1948 Test jersey; Arthur Beetson's Queensland jersey worn in the inaugural State of Origin clash in 1980; Steve Menzies' headgear; and the card table, binoculars, stop-watch, headphones and radio equipment used by legendary broadcaster Frank Hyde.
The silverware on display includes the game's first Premiership trophy – the Royal Agricultural Society Shield - the World Cup and iconic regional trophies such as the Maher Cup, Bulimba Cup and Foley Shield.
When it comes to grandeur, opulence and presence though, all of these cups and trophies are put in the shade by the Courtney Goodwill Trophy - after 87 hours of careful and meticulous restoration work.
The full showcase of exhibits in the collection is on display at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra until 11 May 2008 (entry to League of Legends and the NMA is free).
I can't recommend League of Legends enough....pack up the kids, pack up grandad, and get yourself there...you won't be disappointed! The NMA's web site for League of Legends is terrific as well, with countless images, narratives and full details of the exhibition.
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