September 27 On This Day: Eels First Premiership

On this day in rugby league history, a classic grand final try, Wayne Bennett named the game's best ever coach and Andrew Johns becomes an Immortal.

1980  

Canterbury winger Steve Gearin scores one of the most spectacular tries in the history of grand finals in the closing stages of his team's 18-4 defeat of the Roosters.

Test hooker George Peponis leads the Bulldogs, known as "The Entertainers", to their first premiership win since 1942. (Watch the full grand final replay – see Gearin's try from 1:24:50.)

1981

Parramatta break through for their first premiership victory with a 20-11 grand final victory over a gallant Newtown.

Coach Jack Gibson provides classic postscript when he proclaims to the masses: "Ding dong the witch is dead". Fans celebrate by torching the old Cumberland Oval grandstand.

1987

Manly prevail 18-8 over Canberra in the final last grand final played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Watch the full grand final replay

1992

Brisbane captain Allan Langer claimed the Clive Churchill Medal after his team comprehensively beat St George 28-8 in the grand final. Scenes of hysteria greet the Broncos on their return to Brisbane. Watch the game

1998

Bronco second-rower Gorden Tallis is named the Clive Churchill Medal winner as the Broncos beat Canterbury 38-12 in the grand final. The NRL's new premiership trophy is damaged amid the Broncos' celebrations. Watch the game

2001

The entire Parramatta team is awarded the Ken Stephen Medal, usually reserved for individuals, for their outstanding community service during the season.

2010

Former Parramatta and Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards wins England's prestigious Man of Steel award for his efforts with Super League club Wigan.

2011

Wayne Bennett is named the number one coach in the game's history at the Men of League's annual ball in Sydney. Bennett is voted into the top spot ahead of Jack Gibson, Bob Fulton, Phil Gould and Harry Bath.

2012

Newcastle's Halfback of the Century Andrew Johns is inducted into rugby league's most exclusive club when he is named Australia's eighth Immortal. "To be honoured in this way is just overwhelming," Johns said.

"I'm lost for words." Johns won the vote from an 18-man judging panel assembled by Rugby League Week magazine, beating leading contenders Mal Meninga, Norm Provan and Ron Coote for the honour.

2017

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith claims his second Dally M Medal in a landslide victory. Smith wins the title by eight votes from North Queensland halfback Michael Morgan with St George Illawarra's English captain Gareth Widdop a point further back. Canberra winger Nick Cotric is named rookie of the year and Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy coach of the year.

2019

The Canberra Raiders become the first team into the 2019 grand final after overpowering South Sydney 16-10 in the first preliminary final at a sold-out GIO Stadium.

A late try to prop Josh Papalii seals the victory that propels the Raiders into their first grand final in 25 years.

This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.