“Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”.
These are inspiring words from retired NBA Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan, the worldwide phenomenon whose career is currently being captured by the critically acclaimed The Last Dance documentary, showcasing the legendary player during the 1990s, when he changed the face of basketball forever.
Interestingly, you don’t even have to be a basketball fan to appreciate the greatness of MJ and his history-writing Bulls team. The way the ten-part documentary series portrays these monumental events for their sport truly speaks volumes of how sport can captivate an audience.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
It made me think, why doesn’t an organisation like the National Rugby League produce and market their sport as aggressively as the US through similar methods? With the right direction, similar to the 30 for 30 series produced by ESPN, rugby league documentaries could serve as a brilliant avenue to help propel the sport globally.
So to commemorate the finale of The Last Dance, here are ten ideas the NRL could base a series on.
1. The Super League War
The breakaway competition
Conjured up in the mid ’90s pitting the ARL against the Australian Super League to proclaim supremacy of rugby league in Australia, the bitter feud nearly tore the game to shreds during this time to the point where it nearly ceased to exist.
The NRL was born as the result of a peace dealing to unite the factions, but it was a war that has affected the make-up of the sport in Australia to this day and is a story that needs to be told through those that were there to experience it all.
War, what is it good for?
2. Queenslander
Eight consecutive State of Origin series wins. The dynasty.
I’d love to see interviews from the staples of one of the strongest teams assembled, ranging from Darren Lockyer detailing how his euphoric intercept try in Game 3 of 2006 kick started their dominant eight-year run, to Cooper Cronk speaking on his 40-metre field goal in Game 3 to seal their 2012 victory. With Mal Meninga as the coach and Cameron Smith as the captain, the insight would be tremendous.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Not to mention delving into the point of view from their rivals in New South Wales…
3. The New Breed
The Canterbury Bulldogs’ seasons from 2002 to 2004
This documentary would detail how the club overhauled their playing roster ahead of the 2002 season, when the majority of their players over the next few years would go on to experience the epitome of the saying “highs and lows”.
Winning 17 straight games, being stripped of all their competition points in the same season, keeping the majority of their players for the 2003 season then bowing out in the penultimate game, the Coffs Harbour scandal, becoming 2004 premiers… dissecting the accounts of the core playing group of this period would be an eye-opener.
4. Stripped
The Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal
The Storm featured in four straight grand final appearances from 2006 to 2009 and won two of them. Then they were found guilty of systematically cheating the salary cap in 2010, resulting in exorbitant fines and the history books being re-written with both premierships being stripped.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Going behind the scenes into the aftermath of the salary cap scandal with Craig Bellamy and the big three, this doco could detail how they felt when they were told they weren’t winners and would be playing for no points for the rest of the 2010 season, before coming full circle in 2012, when the core playing group that experienced the lows of 2010 won their first legitimate premiership together.
5. The Pride of the League
Glory Glory to South Sydney
The journey of the competition’s oldest club ending a record 43-year premiership drought in 2014. Expulsion from the NRL in 2000, 80,000 marching fans led by George Piggins at Town Hall, readmission in 2002, Russell Crowe purchasing the club in 2006, then the 2014 season itself with Michael Maguire as head coach – it was a roller coaster journey for Souths. The doco would speak to the aforementioned as well as the likes of Greg Inglis, John Sutton and Sam Burgess. This would make for compelling viewing on the history of the cardinal and myrtle.
6. The greatest grand final in rugby league history
The 2015 decider
“He has gone from a captain, to a legend, and probably rugby league immortality.”
These were the words of rugby league’s greatest ever commentator, Ray Warren, after future Immortal Johnathan Thurston slotted a field goal in golden point extra time to seal the 2015 NRL premiership.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Dissecting every moment of one of the best games ever to solidify the Cowboys’ first title would even give Brisbane Broncos fans chills. Interviews from their captain JT, their coach Paul Green, the runner-up captain Justin Hodges and coach Wayne Bennett would be great insight. It was truly one for the ages that will forever be etched in history’s highlight reel.
7. Turn the porch lights off
The Cronulla Sharks’ first premiership in 50 years
The team that refused to fold when everyone thought they would. Since their inception in 1967 they always came up short. That all changed in 2016.
Parochial Sharks captain Paul Gallen hugging club legend Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen after clinching a 14-12 victory over Melbourne will prove as a monumental Kodak moment for Cronulla fans. Detailing the shortcomings in the years leading up to their first premiership title, as well as dealing with the ASADA scandal that nearly rocked the club to its core, the Sharks’ first ever premiership in their history is worthy of its spot on this list.
8. The eighth wonder of the world
Andrew Johns: Rugby League Immortal
Johns is hailed as the greatest halfback in the history of the game. This series would delve into the career of the Novocastrian who lead his beloved Newcastle Knights to premiership victories in 1997 and 2001, as well as orchestrating series wins for the Blues and the Kangaroos, interviewing the likes of the man himself, his brother Matty Johns, fellow teammates in Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson as well as his rivals, it would be intriguing to get a detailed look into arguably the greatest player to ever play the game.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics/Grant Trouville)
9. Back to back
The Sydney Roosters in 2018 and 2019
The Sydney Roosters became the first team in the modern game to win back-to-back premierships in 2018 and ’19. Teams had been in the position to do it, but never could. It was considered impossible.
Nick Politis figured purchasing the likes of James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk and revolving the team around them would better the side’s odds to win a premiership. And it did. Twice in a row.
With Trent Robinson at the helm for both years, imagine gaining full access to the behind-the-scenes dealings with the Roosters team over this successful period. It would mirror the premise of The Last Dance perfectly, especially with Cooper Cronk retiring as a premiership winner.
10. Corona season
The NRL in 2020
Where to start? This one is pending for the time being, hoping it’s a happy ending considering the negative impact it has had on the game so far. Regardless, it will no doubt serve as a very crucial moment in the history of the game.
So Roarers, what other rugby league stories do you think are worthy of their own doco series?
I hope one day the NRL comes across this list and turns it into reality. Just like Michael Jordan said, “Never say never”.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
What about "The Greatest Redemption Story Of All Time - Mitchell Pearce". We've already got the soundtrack.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
It's surprising that Aussie sport has taken so long to realise the potential of what all access can bring to marketing sport. You look at the NFL Superbowl docos and even in the 70s they had unbelievable access and the pitch side microphones to capture all the banter and natural sound. Hopefully, the success of 'The Test' following the Aussie cricket team has shown a few sports that fans want more than just media trained robots giving 100% to the boys. These documentary ideas are great and once the NRL recovers from Coronavirus it should be a priority to have an NRL films department like the NFL has.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Thanks for that matth. Just had a look....amazing history there..... and some great names have played up in Toowoomba.......Hodges, Hancock, Barnes, Thaiday, Ikin........really impressive. I drive past their home ground a few times a week too....will now do so withh a greater sense of the history of the place !
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, that’s a great story, with so much built in drama Like a lot of these, it’s not a 10 parter but it would be a fascinating watch I’m sure there’s a bit of footage from the time. Archived interviews, grand final week shows, training sessions etc. unlike stuff from the 70s and 80s this story has mostly taken place in the digital age where all games are broadcast and (I assume) info kept... Sounds like a lot of work, but that spliced together with some smart interviews with key players could work
Ad-O
Guest
Travelling Cocaine Circus - The story of the Gold Coast Titans
matth
Roar Guru
Look up “The Galloping Clydesdales”. In the 1920’s QLD won more interstate contests than NSW. And it was all down to Toowoomba. They beat England, NZ, NSW on multiple occasions, South Sydney the NSWRL premiers and others all through the 1920’s. It’s a great story. Names like Thompson, Dempsey, Steinhordt and others were legends of their era. In 1925 QLD beat NSW four times, toured NZ and beat all comers and won 18 of 20 games. Then England called off the 1925 Kangaroo Tour and invited NZ instead. It wasn’t until the next tour in 1929 that the great Tom Gorman became the first Queenslander to captain Australia to England.
Greg
Roar Pro
Although id probably watch any rugby league doco (especially during current times) “The escalating violence of the 70s and early 80s …” as well as the immortals are about the only idea put forward I would genuinely be excited for.
Greg
Roar Pro
at first I didn't think much of the 2015 gf as an idea but building up to it with all you've mentioned here would make good viewing.
Wayne Turner
Guest
11 in a row Dragons.
TRDub
Guest
A little surprised nobody has mentioned Peter Jackson here yet. His life would make a very dark, but engrossing story. For those not in the know, 'Jacko' was a tough, scrappy five-eigth-centre who represented QLD and Australia, entered the media after his career and looked set for a long life on the mic. Tragically, Jacko was found dead in a Sydney hotel room in 1997. The cause of death was a heroin overdose. It turns out that Jackson had been sexually abused by his high school football coach when he was 15. He developed depression and sadly a drug addiction that he suffered throughout his life with. Sorry for getting dark, but I don't think many people talk about this story anymore, and I feel it's one that needs to be told.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Matth, I don't often look at the RL site, but glad I did today......."The Toowoomba and QLD dynasty of the 1920’s,"..... now living in Toowoomba, will be interested to research this one!
Don
Roar Rookie
The Eddie Aikau one is a cracker. Completely different but enthralling for me as I'm an advocate of a draft in the NRL was "Elway to Marino." And I recently watched the Dwayne Wade doco which was really good also.
Soda
Roar Rookie
The rugby league digest's super league war is a fantastic bit of history. I don't think those guys get enough credit for the great work they do. I encourage all league fans to give it a listen.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
I actually forgot to mention how crazy the Cowboys finals short-comings over the years leading into the 2015 grand final were. 2012 was the hand of god try against manly, 2013 was the seven tackle set try, also remember in 2014 when they were down 30-0 in a semi final and levelled up the scores against the Roosters. Toward the end the Roosters slot a field go before the Cowboys in the dying minutes score a runaway try only for it to be taken back. Everything comes in threes they say, so fourth time was a charm for JT and North Queensland.
Paul
Roar Guru
I like to see a documentary made on the beginnings of the league in Australia. This part of the game has been touched on, but only as part of other docos about the history of the game, etc. It has everything, big business & trade union involvement, Victor Trumper, discontent with Rugby, etc. I reckon if it was done properly over a few episodes, it could be a winner.
Martin Millard
Roar Pro
Honestly didn't think you could come up with ten great ideas but they all seem awesome. My biased pick would be the Cowboys for their first premiership in 2015. The narrative has so much depth with the building of the club from perennial wooden spooners to finally cracking the top 8, the Thurston arrival, 2005 grand final loss, the finals refereeing controversies (Foran knock on, seven tackle set agaimst Cronulla). Then the drama of that grand final win. Only problem is it's needs a bit of forethought to have the camera crew in place to catch those key behind the scenes moments that make the story with true depth. After the success of The Last Dance though I think almost every sporting organisation will be seeking to replicate it in one way or another, hopefully the NRL follows suit
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Agreed. Let’s hope the NRL knows something we don’t and has archives of raw footage for these moments hahah.
matth
Roar Guru
Another interesting moment in history would be to chronicle the tour of the American All Stars of Australia in the 1950's. There's a book on it that's really interesting.
matth
Roar Guru
I like the idea of the last tour.
kk
Roar Pro
When the new model is in place, how about a mystery solving doco based on a guided tour of HQ in conjunction with a print out the organisation chart identifying the function and responsibilities of each head and staff member. This would also include the Referees unit and Bunker which we have seen previously by way of glimpses.