The 2002 NRL season was the 95th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fifth to be run by the National Rugby League. The season was affected by the competition-leading Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs' salary cap breach finding, which saw them relegated to the bottom of the NRL ladder. As a result, the New Zealand Warriors won their first minor premiership and made it to the grand final for the first time, playing against foundation club the Sydney Roosters who won the match and collected their first premiership in 27 years.

Pre-season

In February 2002 the National Rugby League's Director of Legal and Business Affairs, David Gallop, was appointed chief executive officer of the NRL, succeeding David Moffett.

The legendary Broncos and Maroons halfback, Allan Langer, returned from England to play his final season of professional football with the Brisbane club. In doing so he became the NRL's oldest player for the 2002 season at 36 years and 60 days.

The return of South Sydney

Following the club's departure from the NRL after the 1999 season, there was a continuing push from both fans and the wider rugby league community to reinstate the South Sydney Rabbitohs into the NRL competition. After two unsuccessful years of lobbying, South Sydney finally received a court ruling in their favour in 2001. On 15 March 2002, the South Sydney club opened the NRL season with a home match against long-time rivals, the Sydney Roosters, losing 40-6.

It turned out to be a tough year for the club, winning only five matches from 24 played, though would be spared the wooden spoon by the Bulldogs' salary cap scandal (see below).

Teams

The number of teams contesting the Premiership increased for the 2002 season from 14 to 15 due to the re-inclusion of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. It was the first time the number of Premiership teams had increased since the 1995 ARL season when the introduction of the Auckland Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, South Queensland Crushers and Western Reds saw the number of teams increase from 16 to 20.

Brisbane Broncos 15th season Ground: Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre Coach: Wayne Bennett Captain: Gorden TallisBulldogs 68th season Ground: Sydney Showground Coach: Steve Folkes Captain: Steve PriceCanberra Raiders 21st season Ground: Canberra Stadium Coach: Matthew Elliott Captain: Simon WoolfordMelbourne Storm 5th season Ground Olympic Park Stadium Coach: Mark Murray Captain: Robbie KearnsNew Zealand Warriors 8th season Ground: Mt Smart Stadium Coach: Daniel Anderson Captain: Stacey Jones & Monty Betham
Newcastle Knights 15th season Ground: Newcastle International Sports Centre Coach: Michael Hagan Captain: Andrew JohnsNorth Queensland Cowboys 8th season Ground: Willows Sports Complex Coach: Murray HurstGraham Murray Captain: Paul BowmanNorthern Eagles 3rd season Ground: Brookvale Oval & Central Coast Stadium Coach: Peter Sharp Captain: Steve MenziesParramatta Eels 56th season Ground: Parramatta Stadium Coach: Brian Smith Captain: Nathan CaylessPenrith Panthers 36th season Ground: Penrith Stadium Coach: John Lang Captain: Craig Gower
Sharks 38th season Ground: Shark Park Coach: Chris Anderson Captain: David PeacheySouth Sydney Rabbitohs 93rd season Ground: Sydney Football Stadium Coach: Craig Coleman Captain: Adam MuirSt. George Illawarra Dragons 4th season Ground: Kogarah Oval & WIN Stadium Coach: Andrew Farrar Captain: Trent BarrettSydney Roosters 95th season Ground: Sydney Football Stadium Coach: Ricky Stuart Captain: Brad FittlerWests Tigers 3rd season Ground: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt Oval Coach: Terry Lamb Captain: Darren Senter

Regular season

In 2002, as in 2001, the NRL's advertising was handled by Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney. As in the previous season, there was no big budget season launch advertising campaign. The NRL focussed on stretching its marketing spending throughout the season with newspaper ads promoting individual rounds and clubs, and with simple TV ads to promote key games.

The Bulldogs won 17 games in a row and had an unbeaten run of 18 games, the most in the club's history. However they were deducted 37 premiership points for a gross salary cap breaches, the most points deducted in premiership history. That left the club with just four competition points attained from the two byes earlier in the season. Four more competition points followed since the salary cap scandal, all from wins in the last two rounds of the season.

The New Zealand Warriors won the club's first Minor Premiership in its 8-year history and also made it to their first Grand Final. The Warriors were not in first place almost during the entire season, only taking top spot on the ladder at the conclusion of Round 26.

John Hopoate ran 3,976 metres with the ball in 2002, more than any other player in the competition.

At the end of the season NRL referees' coach Peter Louis resigned from his position.

As of 2023, 2002 is the most recent season in which the Melbourne Storm did not qualify for the finals due to not winning enough games, though in 2010 they were sentenced to finish last due to salary cap breaches which prevented the club from earning any premiership points that season.

Bulldogs salary cap breach

In mid-2002, the Canterbury club were found guilty of serious and systemic breaches of the salary cap. NRL Chief Executive David Gallop described the violation as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". The club received a $500,000 fine, and was stripped of 37 of its 41 competition points accumulated up to Round 23. The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time). The deduction of the 37 competition points meant that the Canterbury side would win the wooden spoon, as the South Sydney Rabbitohs had already accumulated 12 competition points by the end of Round 24.

The deduction of Canterbury's points also enabled the Canberra Raiders to make the finals with a points differential of -170, the poorest such record of any finalist in the competition's history, and the Raiders only won one game outside of Canberra for the entire season. It also enabled the New Zealand Warriors to secure their first minor premiership in the club's history.

Team1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526F1F2F3GF
Brisbane BroncosNQL +36CBY 0SYD +14CRO +2CAN +2PEN +4NEW +6SOU +26NTE +38XSGI −8WTI +14PAR −4NQL +44XNZL −10SGI +12PEN +18WTI +32PAR +20MEL +28SYD −10NZL −14NEW −30CAN +34CBY −7PAR +10XSYD −4
Canberra RaidersMEL −4SOU −8WTI +5NEW −46BRI −2NTE −24PAR −38CRO +26SGI 0SOU −6NQL +12NTE +12XCRO −10CBY −40PEN +12SYD −30NEW +6NQL −16NZL +8XWTI +20SYD −26CBY +4BRI −34MEL +9NZL −16
Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsWTI −6BRI 0SGI +19SOU +26MEL +16NZL +8CRO +20XPEN +3CRO +26NTE +18SOU +10PEN +14XCAN +40PAR +14NTE +20SGI +2SYD +12NEW +1NQL +8NZL −8PAR +18CAN −4MEL +8BRI +7
Cronulla-Sutherland SharksSGI +6MEL +6PEN +8BRI −2WTI +6NEW −44CBY −20CAN −26PAR −30CBY −26PEN −2NZL −22SGI +21CAN +10NQL +30XNZL +12PAR +1NTE +22SOU +16SYD +14NEW +50WTI +16NQL +22XSYD −12SYD −12SGI +16NZL −6
Melbourne StormCAN +4CRO −6NQL +28PAR +2CBY −16SGI +8NZL −10NEW −8SYD −28PAR −2NZL −16XNEW −21SGI 0SOU +38NTE −14WTI +6SYD +38XPEN −20BRI −28NQL +10PEN +32WTI −10CBY −8CAN −9
Newcastle KnightsNTE +26NQL +32NZL +18CAN +46SYD +16CRO +44BRI −6MEL +8XNZL −22SOU +26XMEL +21PAR +14WTI −16SOU +18PAR +6CAN −6PEN +16CBY −1SGI +8CRO −50NTE +14BRI +30PEN +2SGI −18SGI −4SYD −26
New Zealand WarriorsXSYD +7NEW −18NQL +30NTE +58CBY −8MEL +10WTI +22SOU +7NEW +22MEL +16CRO +22NQL +28SOU +36SGI −10BRI +10CRO −12XPAR +16CAN −8PEN +14CBY +8BRI +14SYD −44NTE −2WTI +16CAN +16XCRO +6SYD −22
North Queensland CowboysBRI −36NEW −32MEL −28NZL −30SOU +12SYD −46PEN +10PAR −1WTI +24PEN −30CAN −12SGI +8NZL −28BRI −44CRO −30SGI −27XNTE −16CAN +16NTE +12CBY −8MEL −10XCRO −22SOU +2PAR +9
Northern EaglesNEW −26XSOU −24SYD +6NZL −58CAN +24WTI −18SGI +4BRI −38XCBY −18CAN −12WTI +24SYD −27PEN +4MEL +14CBY −20NQL +16CRO −22NQL −12PAR +9SGI +2NEW −14PAR −13NZL +2PEN −40
Parramatta EelsPEN +58WTI −6XMEL −2SGI 0SOU +8CAN +38NQL +1CRO +30MEL +2SYD −14XBRI +4NEW −14SYD 0CBY −14NEW −6CRO −1NZL −16BRI −20NTE −9SOU +54CBY −18NTE +13WTI +12NQL −9BRI −10
Penrith PanthersPAR −58SGI −8CRO −8WTI −16XBRI −4NQL −10SYD −4CBY −3NQL +30CRO +2SYD +10CBY −14WTI +4NTE −4CAN −12SOU −7BRI −18NEW −16MEL +20NZL −14XMEL −32SOU +16NEW −2NTE +40
South Sydney RabbitohsSYD −34CAN +8NTE +24CBY −26NQL −12PAR −8XBRI −26NZL −7CAN +6NEW −26CBY −10SYD −36NZL −36MEL −38NEW −18PEN +7WTI +14SGI −38CRO −16WTI −46PAR −54SGI −42PEN −16NQL −2X
St. George Illawarra DragonsCRO −6PEN +8CBY −19XPAR 0MEL −8SYD −4NTE −4CAN 0WTI +11BRI +8NQL −8CRO −21MEL 0NZL +10NQL +27BRI −12CBY −2SOU +38WTI +34NEW −8NTE −2SOU +42XSYD −16NEW +18NEW +4CRO −16
Sydney RoostersSOU +34NZL −7BRI −14NTE −6NEW −16NQL +46SGI +4PEN +4MEL +28XPAR +14PEN −10SOU +36NTE +27PAR 0WTI +2CAN +30MEL −38CBY −12XCRO −14BRI +10CAN +26NZL +44SGI +16CRO +12CRO +12NEW +26BRI +4NZL +22
Wests TigersCBY +6PAR +6CAN −5PEN +16CRO −6XNTE +18NZL −22NQL −24SGI −11XBRI −14NTE −24PEN −4NEW +16SYD −2MEL −6SOU −14BRI −32SGI −34SOU +46CAN −20CRO −16MEL +10PAR −12NZL −16
Team1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526F1F2F3GF

Bold – Home game X – Bye Opponent for round listed above margin

Ladder

The Warriors received A$100,000 prize money for finishing the regular season as minor premiers.

2002 NRL seasonvte
PosTeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts
1New Zealand Warriors2417072688454+23438
2Newcastle Knights2417072724498+22638
3Brisbane Broncos2416172672425+24737
4Sydney Roosters (P)2415182621405+21635
5Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks2415092653597+5634
6Parramatta Eels24102122531440+9126
7St George Illawarra Dragons2493122632546+8625
8Canberra Raiders24101132471641-17025
9Northern Eagles24100142503740-23724
10Melbourne Storm2491142556586-3023
11North Queensland Cowboys2480162496803-30720
12Penrith Panthers2470172546654-10818
13Wests Tigers2470172498642-14418
14South Sydney Rabbitohs2450192385817-43214
15Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2420132707435+27281

1 The Bulldogs were deducted 37 premiership points due to gross salary cap breaches.

Ladder progression

  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round
  • Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
Team1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
1New Zealand2446881012141618202224242626283030323436363638
2Newcastle246810121214161618202224242628283030323234363838
3Brisbane23579111315171919212123252527293133353535353737
4Sydney22222468101214141618192123232325252729313335
5Sharks2466888888881012141618202224262830323434
6Parramatta224457911131515171919202020202020202222242626
7St George Illawarra022455556810101011131515151719191921232325
8Canberra0022222455791111111313151517192121232325
9Northern Eagles0224466881010101212141616181818202222222424
10Melbourne22466888888101011131315171919192123232323
11North Queensland000022446668888810101214141416161820
12Penrith000022222468810101010101012121414161618
13Wests2446681010101012121212141414141414161616181818
14South Sydney024444666888888810121212121212121214
15Bulldogs0135791113151719212325272931333537393941468

Finals series

To decide the grand finalists from the top eight finishing teams, the NRL adopts the McIntyre final eight system.

Coincidentally, the finalists for 2002 were almost the same as the previous season, with the exception of the Bulldogs being replaced by Canberra. Had the Bulldogs not been deducted competition points, they would have become the minor premiers and completed the replication, with Canberra moving down to 9th.

HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
Date and TimeVenueRefereeCrowd
Qualifying Finals
Sydney Roosters32 – 20Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks13 September 2002Aussie StadiumPaul Simpkins25,366
Brisbane Broncos24 – 14Parramatta Eels14 September 2002ANZ StadiumSean Hampstead19,115
Newcastle Knights22 – 26St George Illawarra Dragons14 September 2002Energy Australia StadiumBill Harrigan21,051
New Zealand Warriors36 – 20Canberra Raiders15 September 2002Ericsson StadiumTim Mander25,800
Semi-finals
St George Illawarra Dragons24 – 40Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks21 September 2002Aussie StadiumBill Harrigan31,783
Sydney Roosters38 – 12Newcastle Knights22 September 2002Aussie StadiumSean Hampstead23,816
Preliminary Finals
Brisbane Broncos12 – 16Sydney Roosters28 September 2002Aussie StadiumBill Harrigan28,251
New Zealand Warriors16 – 10Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks29 September 2002Telstra StadiumTim Mander45,782

Chart

Qualifying finalsSemifinalsPreliminary finalsFinal
1New Zealand36
8Canberra201WNew Zealand16
4WSt. George Illawarra24Cronulla10
2Newcastle222LCronulla40
New Zealand8
7St. George Illawarra26
Sydney30
3Brisbane242WBrisbane12
6Parramatta143WSydney38Sydney16
1LNewcastle12
4Sydney32
5Cronulla20

Grand Final

The 2002 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2002 NRL season. It took place on Sunday, 6 October 2002, at Sydney's Telstra Stadium. 80,130 people saw the Sydney Roosters beat the New Zealand Warriors 30–8. The Clive Churchill Medalist was Craig Fitzgibbon of the Sydney Roosters. The match was also broadcast live in the United States by Fox Sports World.

Sunday, 6 October 19:00 AEST (UTC+10)
New Zealand Warriors8 – 30Sydney Roosters
Tries: 1 Jones 46' Goals: 2 Cleary pen 29', 47' (2/2)1st: 2–6 2nd: 6–24Tries: 5 Hegarty 23' Wing 57' Fitzgibbon 65' Flannery 71' Fletcher 74' Goals: 5 Fitzgibbon 25', 59', 66', 71', 76' (5/5)
Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 80,130 Referee: Bill Harrigan Touch judges: Steve Richards, Shayne Hayne Clive Churchill Medal: Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney)

Player statistics

The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 26.

PointsPlayerTriesGoalsField Goals
Top 5 point scorers Points Player Tries Goals Field Goals 254 Hazem El Masri 12 103 0 246 Andrew Johns 10 102 2 233 Brett Kimmorley 13 90 1 222 Ivan Cleary 8 95 0 174 Michael De Vere 6 75 0 Top 5 try scorers Tries Player 23 Nigel Vagana 19 Timana Tahu 19 Rhys Wesser 17 Clinton Toopi 17 Lee Hookey 17 Aaron Moule 17 Luke LewisTop 5 goal scorers Goals Player 103 Hazem El Masri 102 Andrew Johns 95 Ivan Cleary 90 Brett Kimmorley 75 Michael De Vere
254Hazem El Masri121030
246Andrew Johns101022
233Brett Kimmorley13901
222Ivan Cleary8950
174Michael De Vere6750
TriesPlayer
23Nigel Vagana
19Timana Tahu
19Rhys Wesser
17Clinton Toopi
17Lee Hookey
17Aaron Moule
17Luke Lewis
GoalsPlayer
103Hazem El Masri
102Andrew Johns
95Ivan Cleary
90Brett Kimmorley
75Michael De Vere

2002 Transfers

Players

Player2001 Club2002 Club
Darren BurnsBrisbane BroncosSuper League: Warrington Wolves
Mark CorvoBrisbane BroncosSuper League: Salford City Reds
Luke PriddisBrisbane BroncosPenrith Panthers
Wendell SailorBrisbane BroncosQueensland Reds (Super 12)
Kevin WaltersBrisbane BroncosRetirement
Anthony ColellaCanberra RaidersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Andrew McFaddenCanberra RaidersParramatta Eels
Lesley VainikoloCanberra RaidersSuper League: Bradford Bulls
Luke WilliamsonCanberra RaidersNorthern Eagles
Darren BrittCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsSuper League: St. Helens
Steven HughesCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsRetirement
Adam PeekCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Craig Polla-MounterCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsRetirement
Rod SilvaCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsRetirement
Barry WardCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsSuper League: St. Helens
Matt DaylightCronulla-Sutherland SharksRetirement
Shannon DonatoCronulla-Sutherland SharksPenrith Panthers
Adam DykesCronulla-Sutherland SharksParramatta Eels
Jason FerrisCronulla-Sutherland SharksNorthern Eagles
Martin LangCronulla-Sutherland SharksPenrith Panthers
Nathan LongCronulla-Sutherland SharksNorthern Eagles
Paul McNicholasCronulla-Sutherland SharksSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Russell RichardsonCronulla-Sutherland SharksSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Mat RogersCronulla-Sutherland SharksNew South Wales Waratahs (Super 12)
Sean RyanCronulla-Sutherland SharksSuper League: Hull F.C.
Luke StuartCronulla-Sutherland SharksSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Russell BawdenMelbourne StormSuper League: London Broncos
Tasesa LaveaMelbourne StormNorthern Eagles
Ben RoartyMelbourne StormPenrith Panthers
Brad WattsMelbourne StormSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Darren AlbertNewcastle KnightsSuper League: St. Helens
Troy FletcherNewcastle KnightsRetirement
Glenn GriefNewcastle KnightsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Paul MarquetNewcastle KnightsSuper League: Warrington Wolves
Richie BlackmoreNew Zealand WarriorsRetirement
Jason DeathNew Zealand WarriorsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Geoff BellNorth Queensland CowboysPenrith Panthers
Brett HetheringtonNorth Queensland CowboysRetirement
Danny MooreNorth Queensland CowboysRetirement
Julian O'NeillNorth Queensland CowboysSuper League: Wigan Warriors
Lee OudenrynNorth Queensland CowboysRetirement
Mark ShipwayNorth Queensland CowboysNorthern Eagles
Damien SmithNorth Queensland CowboysRetirement
Kyle WarrenNorth Queensland CowboysSuper League: Castleford Tigers
Greg EbrillNorthern EaglesSuper League: Salford City Reds
Wayne EvansNorthern EaglesSuper League: London Broncos
Brett KimmorleyNorthern EaglesCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Andrew KingNorthern EaglesSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
William LeyshonNorthern EaglesMelbourne Storm
Karl LovellNorthern EaglesCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Adam MuirNorthern EaglesSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Mark O'MeleyNorthern EaglesCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Paul StringerNorthern EaglesSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Geoff TooveyNorthern EaglesRetirement
Steve TrindallNorthern EaglesWests Tigers
Ben WalkerNorthern EaglesSuper League: Leeds Rhinos
PJ MarshParramatta EelsNew Zealand Warriors
Jason TaylorParramatta EelsRetirement
David WestleyParramatta EelsNorthern Eagles
Matt AdamsonPenrith PanthersSuper League: Leeds Rhinos
Robbie BeckettPenrith PanthersSuper League: Halifax Blue Sox
Steve CarterPenrith PanthersSuper League: Widnes Vikings
Craig GreenhillPenrith PanthersSuper League: Hull F.C.
Andrew HinsonPenrith PanthersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Peter JorgensenPenrith PanthersNorthampton Saints (English rugby union)
Duncan MacGillivrayPenrith PanthersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Frank PuletuaPenrith PanthersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Matthew RieckPenrith PanthersCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Matthew RodwellPenrith PanthersSuper League: Warrington Wolves
David WoodsPenrith PanthersSuper League: Halifax Blue Sox
Jamie AinscoughSt. George Illawarra DragonsSuper League: Wigan Warriors
Wayne BartrimSt. George Illawarra DragonsSuper League: Castleford Tigers
Jamie FitzgeraldSt. George Illawarra DragonsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Wade ForresterSt. George Illawarra DragonsNorthern Eagles
Andrew HartSt. George Illawarra DragonsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Paul McGregorSt. George Illawarra DragonsRetirement
Craig SmithSt. George Illawarra DragonsSuper League: Wigan Warriors
Darren TreacySt. George Illawarra DragonsSuper League: Salford City Reds
Colin WardSt. George Illawarra DragonsPenrith Panthers
Quentin PongiaSydney RoostersVilleneuve Leopards (Elite One Championship)
Ian RubinSydney RoostersRetirement
Matt SingSydney RoostersNorth Queensland Cowboys
John CarlawWests TigersNew Zealand Warriors
Owen CraigieWests TigersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Craig FieldWests TigersPia Donkeys (French Rugby League Championship)
Lee MurphyWests TigersRetirement
John SimonWests TigersRetirement
Tyran SmithWests TigersCanberra Raiders
Shane WalkerWests TigersMelbourne Storm
Shane RigonSuper League: Bradford BullsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Ben KustoSuper League: Huddersfield GiantsParramatta Eels
Luke FelschSuper League: Hull F.C.St. George Illawarra Dragons
Tony GrimaldiSuper League: Hull F.C.Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Robert MearsSuper League: Leeds RhinosWests Tigers
Brett MullinsSuper League: Leeds RhinosSydney Roosters
Glen AirSuper League: London BroncosWests Tigers
Shane MillardSuper League: London BroncosSt. George Illawarra Dragons
Justin BrookerSuper League: Wakefield Trinity WildcatsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Andrew GeeSuper League: Warrington WolvesBrisbane Broncos
David KidwellSuper League: Warrington WolvesSydney Roosters
Allan LangerSuper League: Warrington WolvesBrisbane Broncos
Danny NutleySuper League: Warrington WolvesCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ian SibbitSuper League: Warrington WolvesMelbourne Storm
Matthew JohnsSuper League: Wigan WarriorsCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Ken McGuinnessToowoomba Clydesdales (Queensland Cup)North Queensland Cowboys
Chris CaruanaN/ASouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Joe GaluvaoN/APenrith Panthers

Coaches

Coach2001 Club2002 Club
John LangCronulla-Sutherland SharksPenrith Panthers

Further reading

  • Middleton, David (2002). . HarperSports. ISBN 978-0-7322-7466-5.

External links