Your weekly guide to the NRL season, including the entire Final Series, the souvenir Grand Final program and our bumper Season Review. Every week Big League will feature stories on the big names, preview the big games and continue our popular Little League section for the young rugby league fans. With official team-lists, extensive statistics and up-to-date news, Big League provides everything you need to follow the NRL.
A fantastic end to a remarkable season
Welcome to the home of rugby league
Growing on and off the field
Records will be set in epic encounter
Big League Weekly Edition
No looking back on the game’s biggest day
Fans give us the green light to enjoy the moment
SCHEDULE
GRAND FINAL TIPS
BIG LEAGUE Grand Final TOP TIPS
FREQUENT FLYERS • The grand final has always been the holy grail of rugby league, so much so that some players were willing to fly halfway around the world just for the chance to take part in the biggest game of the year.
GRAND FINAL ENGLISHMEN
The pursuit of success
Half’n’half • One is a rapidly-rising star, the other a departing legend, but together Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk are striving to finish their next chapters on the highest note possible.
Flying high • The Roosters are ignoring the historic feat they could achieve, but there’s still plenty motivating them in pursuit of grand final glory.
ROAD TO GLORY
Man in the Machine • Few people understand what it truly means to bleed green more than the club legend-turned-coach who has worked tirelessly to bring glory back to the nation’s capital.
A real people person • He’s become a cult icon in the capital, but one of 2019’s best buys didn’t even think he’d play first grade this year, let alone make the grand final.
ROAD TO GLORY
JAMES TEDESCO
JOSH PAPALII • Canberra Raiders
Sydney Roosters
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2019
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Canberra Raiders
Fairytale takes on history in epic decider
Rare loss offers hope against benchmark • The Broncos have clearly been the benchmark of the NRLW in its first two seasons, but a stunning upset in the final week of the season should give the Red V a glimmer of hope.
Holden Women’s Premiership Grand Final 2019
Brisbane Broncos
BRISBANE
St George Illawarra Dragons
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
AMBE PILLEY • Brisbane Broncos
Back to the top • The Roosters aren’t the only team trying to go back-to-back, and the Broncos are just as hungry for a piece of history.
JESSIC SERGIS • St George Illawarra Dragons
Raising the bar • The Roosters gave them a scare, but it might have been the perfect wake-up call for the Red V as they prepare for a winner-takes-all showdown.
Unlikely participants set up appetising clash • With the minor premiers falling by the wayside, the 2019 State Championship is hard to predict.
NEWTOWN JETS V BURLEIGH BEARS
Newtown Jets
WILL KENNEDY • Newtown Jets
Burleigh Bears
JAMAL FOGARTY • Burleigh Bears
Defensive mettle keeps Green Machine rolling
Scrappy tussle paves way for back-to-back glory
And the winners are… • The NRL season has just about wrapped up, but awards season in now in full swing. Check out the winners from the club presentation nights so far.
A WIN FOR THE AGES ’89 • Against a highly-fancied opponent and with a uniquely-built team, the 1989 Raiders offer plenty of inspiration for the Green Machine three decades later.
STORMING TO SUCCESS ’99 • Most clubs take years to build enough momentum for a premiership tilt, but one team built on expertise...