Rugby league in Victoria

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Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Sport overview

Rugby league football has been played and watched by people in the Australian state of Victoria since the early 20th century. While for most of its history there the game's popularity has been marginal due to the dominance of Australian rules football in Victoria, rugby league's popularity has rapidly increased in recent years in the state's capital of Melbourne,[1] due mainly to the introduction of a professional Melbourne-based team in the national competition.[2] The governing body is NRL Victoria.

In 1998 the first professional club, the Melbourne Storm, was established as an expansion club to join the National Rugby League premiership,[3] the only professional rugby league club located across the Barassi Line.

The Australian Rugby League reports that over $23 million has been invested by the Melbourne Storm and its partners in promoting and developing rugby league in Victoria since 2005 and the club has visited more than 550 schools across the state. Participation has grown significantly since 2006, with more than 10,000 players across at least 25 clubs in 2024.

History

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The modern code of rugby league

In 1895, rugby football underwent a schism in England over the issues of expenses and payment to injured players. This led it to split into rugby union and rugby league. Luring professional sportsmen, the new code of rugby league arrived in Australia in 1907 and came to dominate the sporting scene in Queensland and New South Wales. However, it was not immediately introduced into Victoria, where Australian rules football's VFL, which paid players, was already increasingly popular. Rugby union, however, continued to be played in Victoria by a small number of amateurs.

The 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand included a match in Melbourne, the first rugby league game to be played in the state. The match between England and New South Wales drew 13,000 spectators.[4]

The Victorian Rugby League was running a rugby league premiership by the 1920s, and also selected a representative Victorian XIII to tour domestically.[5]

The first interstate match held in Victoria was between Western Australia and Victoria at Yarra Park in 1952.[6]

The occasional New South Wales Rugby League Premiership match was taken to Melbourne over the following decades - the most notorious being in 1978 when Manly and Western Suburbs initiated their 'Fibros v Silvertails' battles.[7]

In 1991 the St Kilda Football Club unsuccessfully sought to have NSWRL games played at Moorabbin Oval.[8] but the NSWRL had let Melbourne host a number of premiership games during the early 1990s; with a 1993 Western Suburbs Magpies home game against the St. George Dragons played at Olympic Park. The next season, the Sydney Tigers played two home games at Princes Park.

But attendances for the State of Origin games in the state during the 1990s had been strong.[8] The 1990 State of Origin played at Olympic Park, attracted a capacity crowd of 25,800, and three more were held in 1994, 1995 and 1997 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Over those 3 years, 160,000 people attended; including a then Australian rugby league record crowd of 87,161 in 1994.[7]

In 1991 the first match of the Test series between New Zealand and Australia was played at Olympic Park in front of a crowd of 26,900, the first time a rugby league test match played in Australia was held outside of New South Wales and Queensland.[9] The next year, the second Test between Great Britain and Australia was played at Princes Park in front of a crowd of 33,005.

The first professional team emerges

In August 1991 the NSWRL began to express interest for its 1993 competition,[8] and made a request to the Victorian Rugby League to put forward a proposal. The local league showed significant hesitation, indicating that the game had little support to build upon.[7]

However, during 1993 ARL Chairman Ken Arthurson made it clear that he remained positive about Melbourne and thought it had much to offer. Former Melbourne CEO Chris Johns said; "John and I had been with the Broncos from day one and we had learnt first-hand how the club had progressed in 10 years to become a 'super club'. Melbourne had three times the population of Brisbane and the people down there just love their sport".[10]

Plans to enter Melbourne gained momentum in November 1994 when both the ARL and the organisers of the (then called) News Limited rebel competition both began initiatives to fast track their own teams in the Victorian capital.[10] In 1996, the Australian Rugby League (ARL) decided to establish a Melbourne-based team due to the high attendances at recent State of Origin matches. But in May 1997, Super League boss John Ribot pushed for a Melbourne-based club in the Super League competition, which was the rival against the ARL competition. Former Brisbane Broncos centre Chris Johns became the CEO of the club and Ribot stepped down from head of the Super League to set up the club. The club would be fully owned by News Limited who had a position of influence through their ownership in the Herald Sun, with part of its strategy to use Melbourne's most popular newspaper to provide contra media exposure for the new club. In September 1997, Melbourne announced that Chris Anderson would be their foundation coach, and then the Super League announced that their new team would be named the Melbourne Storm and it would be based at Olympic Park Stadium.[7]

The new millennium

The 2003 NRL grand final attracted a bigger audience in Melbourne than the 2003 AFL Grand Final did in Sydney.[11] In 2006 the deciding game of the State of Origin drew 54,833 spectators at Telstra Dome.[12] Also that season, Melbourne's television audience for the Storm's NRL grand final appearance was higher than Sydney's was for the Swans' second successive AFL grand final appearance.[13] This would occur again in 2016.

File:Players of Melbourne Storm after the 2007 NRL grand final.jpg
Storm players after the 2007 Grand Final.

The 2007 preliminary final between Parramatta and Melbourne Storm saw the largest ever crowd drawn by the Storm in Melbourne, 33,472.[14] It was a larger than Manly's preliminary final crowd of 32,611.[15]

In 2007 the Victorian Government confirmed that it would be building a new 31,500 rectangular stadium at Olympic Park, for rugby league, union and soccer.[16]

The opening round of the 2008 season saw 20,084 spectators[17] watch the Storm defeat New Zealand Warriors in their first game at Telstra Dome. Melbourne finished the 2008 season with a home average attendance of 12,474,[18] considerably larger than their 2007 average of 11,711.[18][19] They recorded their largest crowd average ever in the 2010 season at 14,670. For the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, the only game in Melbourne against England drew a crowd of 36,297 at the Telstra Dome.[20] This was the second highest attended game in the competition, surpassed only by the final, played in Brisbane that drew 50,559.[21]

2015 saw new records set for rugby league in Victoria with 91,513 spectators attending the second Origin match at the MCG, won by NSW.

The Storm who have won four premierships to date: (1999, 2012, 2017, 2020); as of 2022 regularly attract over 16,000 people to matches,[22] and set a new club membership record of over 40,000.[23]

In a boost for the code in Victoria, Victoria's Rugby League Centre of Excellence was constructed at Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows, with the $16.9 million facility opening in 2023.[24] The facility serves as the home ground for Northern Thunder as well as the administration base for NRL Victoria and Touch Football Victoria. It additionally serves as a hub for rugby league programs, and a venue for training, camps and state and national level tournaments, and is also set to serve as the home ground of any future Melbourne Storm NRLW team.[25][26] Features of the facility include a show pitch, three community access competition pitches, a female-friendly pavilion including high-performance training and recovery facilities, and car parking.[27][28][29]

Local development and expansion

Players such as Jeremy Smith, born in New Zealand, and Gareth Widdop, born in England,[30] have come through the junior ranks in Melbourne.

In round 23 2012, Mahe Fonua became the first Victorian-born and bred player to play in the NRL when he made his debut for Melbourne Storm. He played his junior career for South East Titans (formerly Berwick Bulldogs) in the Victorian Rugby League.[31][32]

Although born in Samoa, Young Tonumaipea and Richard Kennar both emigrated to Melbourne at young ages and played their junior football with local side Northern Thunder before making their senior NRL debuts for Melbourne Storm.

The junior team (which is largely made up of Victorian locals)[33] were runners up to the Bulldogs in the S. G. Ball Cup in 2009.[34]

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"The fabric of rugby league is built on tribalism and rivalry. That’s why we can’t rule out [a second Melbourne team]. The other reason why a second Melbourne team is good for us, is that our junior base in Victoria has expanded considerably"

Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys in 2023 on NRL expansion in Victoria and the addition of a second team[35]

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Participation

2016[36] 2023[37]
10,046 10,471

Competitions

Active competition
League Years with VIC clubs Senior VIC clubs Divisions Headquarters
Victorian Rugby League 1952- Melbourne
Melbourne Rugby League 1952- 17 5 Melbourne
Goulburn Murray Rugby League 1991- 8 1 Shepparton
Sunraysia-Riverlands Rugby League 1991- 3 1 Mildura
Super League 1997 1 Sydney, New South Wales
National Rugby League 1998- 1 Sydney, New South Wales
Central Highlands Rugby League 2005-2012 5 Ballarat
NRL Under-20s 2008- 1 Sydney, New South Wales
Limestone Coast Rugby League 2017- 5 1 Mount Gambier, South Australia

Audience

By 2024 ten State of Origin matches held in Melbourne at an average attendance of 62,160. Attendance has grown significantly with a record 91,513 attending in 2015. Around 287,000 Victorians watched State of Origin matches on television in 2024.[38]

The NRL audience in comparison is modest but growing. The NRL Grand Final attracted 349,000 Victorian viewers in 2023.[39] Melbourne Storm in 2024 had an all time average attendance of 13,762 per match, growing to a record of more than 20,000 per match. Storm matches on television attract around 20,000 viewers per game in Melbourne.

State of Origin Attendances

Year Venue Attendance References
1990 Olympic Park 25,800 [40]
1994 Melbourne Cricket Ground 87,161 [40]
1995 Melbourne Cricket Ground 52,994 [40]
1997 Melbourne Cricket Ground 25,105 [40]
2006 Docklands Stadium 54,833 [40]
2009 Docklands Stadium 50,967 [40]
2012 Docklands Stadium 56,021 [40]
2015 Melbourne Cricket Ground 91,513 [40]
2024 Melbourne Cricket Ground 90,084 [41]

Governing body

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NRL Victoria governs rugby league in Victoria.[42] Victoria is an Affiliated State of the overall Australian governing body the Australian Rugby League.

Representative Team

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The Victoria team play in the Affiliated States Championship along with the other three affiliated states (South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Western Australia) plus the Australian Police and Australian Defence Force. In 2007 Victoria came fourth in the ARL Affiliated States Championships in Perth.[43]

They won their first championship in 2009 [44]

National Rugby League Teams

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The National Rugby League (NRL) is Australia's top-level competition for the sport of rugby league.[45] The Melbourne Storm are Victoria's only side in the League, having been initially created on the initiative of Super League for inclusion in their competition in 1997,[8] however they did not start playing until the NRL's commencement in 1998. The club won the premiership in just its second season, 1999,[46] and has been a powerful club for much of its existence. As of 2021, the club has won four premierships, in 1999, 2012,[47] 2017, and 2020. It has also won the World Club Challenge in 2000, 2013, and 2018.

The club had also won three consecutive minor premierships in 2006, 2007 and 2008[48] and premierships in 2007[49] and 2009,[50] but those titles were stripped, along with the 2010 World Club Challenge title, after the club was found guilty of breaching the salary cap.

Club Location Home Ground(s) First season
Template:Leagueicon Melbourne Storm Melbourne[51] AAMI Park (12 games) (30,050)[52] 1998[8]

Players

Players from Victoria who have played professionally include:

Currently playing professionally

Men's

Player VIC junior/senior club/s VIC Representative Professional/Representative Years* Connections to Victoria, References
Sualauvi Fa'alogo Northern Thunder RLFC, Victoria Thunderbolts, Melbourne Storm Yes 2023–present Raised in Melbourne. Played for Melbourne Storm (2023–present)
Nick Flocas - 2022–present Born in Melbourne
Fonua Pole Sunbury United - 2022–present Raised in, played junior football in and recruited from Melbourne.[53]
Kelma Tuilagi Casey Warriors Yes 2021–present Played junior football in Melbourne.[54]
Greg Marzhew North West Wolves - 2021–present Played senior football in Melbourne prior to professional career.[55]
Dean Ieremia Sunbury United, Melbourne Storm - 2021–present Raised in, played junior football in and recruited from Melbourne.[56] played for Melbourne Storm (2021–present)
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown Altona Roosters - 2020–present Born in, played junior football in and recruited from Melbourne.
Connor Donehue Melbourne Storm (juniors) 2018–present Played junior football in Melbourne[57][58]
Zev John Altona Roosters U20 (2017) 2018–present Played junior football in and recruited from Melbourne.
Ben Nakubuwai Altona Roosters - 2017–present Played senior football in and recruited from Melbourne.[59]
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Altona Roosters, Melbourne Storm - 2017–present Played junior football in Melbourne as a 15 year old.[60][61]
Francis Tualau South Eastern Titans - 2017–2018 Raised in and recruited from Melbourne.
Aaron Teroi Northern Thunder RLFC - 2016–2017 Born, raised in and recruited from Melbourne.[62]
Richard Kennar Northern Thunder RLFC, Melbourne Storm - 2015–present Raised in and recruited from Melbourne. Played for the Melbourne Storm (2015–16)
Young Tonumaipea Northern Thunder RLFC, Melbourne Storm - 2014–present Raised in and recruited from Melbourne.[63] Played for the Melbourne Storm (2014–18, 2022–present)
Denny Solomona Waverley Oakleigh Panthers - 2014–2016 Raised in and recruited from Melbourne.
Kenny Bromwich Hallam Secondary College, Melbourne Storm (U20), Melbourne Storm 2012–present Raised in and recruited from Melbourne. Played for Melbourne Storm (2013–22)
Mahe Fonua Hallam Secondary College, Melbourne Storm U15 (2006, 2007) 2012–present Born, raised in and recruited from Melbourne. Played for Melbourne Storm (2012–15)[64]
Gareth Widdop Altona Roosters, Melbourne Storm U18 (?) 2010–present Raised in and recruited from Melbourne, played for Melbourne Storm (2010–2013)
Drury Low Altona Roosters,[65] Waverley Oakleigh Panthers[66] - 2010–2014 Raised inand played junior football in Melbourne
Selasi Berdie 2008-2009 Raised in and recruited from Melbourne
Peter Wallace - - 2005–2018 Born in Melbourne[67]
Jeremy Smith Altona Roosters, Melbourne Storm - 2004–2016 Raised in Melbourne, played for Melbourne Storm (2004–2008)
Jake Webster - - 2003–2024 Born in Melbourne[68]
Timana Tahu - - 1999–2014 Born in Melbourne[69][70]
Craig Polla-Mounter - - 1992–2001 Born in Melbourne[71]
Jamie Bloem - - 1992–2005 Born in Melbourne[72]
Michael Cook - - 1989–1991 Born in Melbourne[73]
Chris Kinna - - 1984–1989 Born in Melbourne[74]
Frank Cottle - - 1940–1951 Born in Melbourne
Eric McCormack - - 1927–1932 Born in Melbourne
Billy Mitchell - - 1911–1920 Born in Melbourne

Women's

Player VIC junior/senior club/s VIC Representative Professional Years* Connections to Victoria, References
Stacey Waaka - - 2024–present Raised in Melbourne[75]
Pia Tapsell - - 2024–present Born in Melbourne[76]
Emmanita Paki - - 2022–present Born in Mildura[77]
Najvada George Werribee Bears - 2019–present Born and raised in Melbourne[78][79]
Karina Brown - - 2018–present Born in Warragul[80]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  4. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald, 17 August 1914
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  18. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Local talent is Storm's aim
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ ‘I’d be shocked’: Christian Welch’s surprise as NRL considers second Victorian team in expansion plans from Fox Sports 2 May 2023
  36. ↑ Ausplay Rugby League Participation by State
  37. ↑ Ausplay Rugby League Participation by State
  38. ↑ State of Origin game one breaks streaming record for broadcaster Nine by Karl Quinn 6 June 2024
  39. ↑ Footy’s grand final TV ratings: Who won the battle of the codes? by Karl Quinn 2 October 2 2023
  40. ↑ a b c d e f g h When was the last time State of Origin was played in Melbourne? History of Origin at the MCG by Patrick Brischetto for Sporting News 26 June 2024
  41. ↑ NSW Blues smash Queensland Maroons 38-18 in State of Origin II at the MCG By Jon Healy and Simon Smale for ABC News 26 June 2024
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Melbourne Storm Enjoys Famous Victory In A Potentially Infamous Nrl Grand Final Herald Sun Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Mahe Fonua Set To Make History With Melbourne Storm In The Nrl Grand Final The Daily Telegraph Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Player Profile: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1"., broncos.com.au
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  71. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  73. ↑ Brave and Game Biographies : Michael Terrance Cook Template:Webarchive
  74. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  75. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  76. ↑ Ex-Black Fern Pia Tapsell joins the Sharks by Sharks Media 6 February 2024
  77. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  78. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  79. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  80. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Template:Rugby League in Victoria Template:Rugby League in Australia links

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