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Содержание
Введение
Сезон 2006 года стал 99-м сезоном профессионального регби-лига в Австралии и девятым, организованным Национальной лигой регби. Состав команд по сравнению с предыдущим годом не изменился, и пятнадцать клубов боролись за Премиершип Telstra 2006 года. На протяжении 26 туров регулярного сезона десять команд из Нового Южного Уэльса (9 из них представляли район Сиднея), две из Квинсленда и по одной из Виктории, Австралийской столичной территории и Новой Зеландии соревновались за звание обладателя малого кубка. Восемь из этих команд вышли в четырехнедельную серию плей-офф, где в финальном матче «Брисбен Бронкос» одержали победу над «Мельбурн Шторм». «Мельбурн» завершил регулярный сезон на первом месте и был награжден малым кубком, однако впоследствии эта награда была отозвана из-за нарушения лимита зарплат клубом «Мельбурн Шторм».
Rugby league competition
The 2006 NRL season was the 99th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the ninth run by the National Rugby League. The lineup of teams remained unchanged from the previous year, with fifteen clubs competing for the 2006 Telstra Premiership. Throughout the 26 rounds of the regular season ten teams from New South Wales (9 of them from the Sydney basin), two from Queensland and one each from Victoria, the ACT and New Zealand competed for the minor premiership. Eight of these teams qualified for the four week finals series, with the Brisbane Broncos eventual victors over the Melbourne Storm in the grand final. Melbourne finished the regular season first so were awarded the minor premiership, but this was later revoked due to the Melbourne Storm salary cap breach.
Предсезон
Тренер «Ньюкасл Найтс» Майкл Хаган подписал трехлетний контракт с «Параматта Илс», начиная с 2007 года. Хаган заменил Брайана Смита, который тренировал «Илс» с 1997 года, а Смит, в свою очередь, занял место Хагана в «Ньюкасле» в беспрецедентной смене тренеров. В других тренерских назначениях Мэтью Эллиотт был утвержден в качестве тренера «Пенрит Пантерс», начиная с 2007 года. Полузащитник «Пенрит Пантерс» Крейг Гоуэр был отстранен от капитанства, дисквалифицирован на четыре игры и оштрафован на 100 000 долларов (90 000 долларов будут направлены программе NRL, поощряющей ответственное употребление алкоголя игроками, и 10 000 долларов – на замену уничтоженного гольф-картa) после серии инцидентов, произошедших из-за употребления алкоголя на благотворительном гольф-турнире. «Благотворительный щит» ознаменовал неофициальное начало сезона, в котором «Саут Сидней Рэббитоз» одержали победу над «Сент Джордж Иллаварра» со счетом 14:12 в своей первой домашней игре на стадионе «Телстра» 18 февраля. В течение февраля все клубы НРЛ провели серию контрольных матчей. Капитан «Вестс Тайгерс», завоевавший чемпионский титул, Скотт Принс объявил 3 марта о подписании четырехлетнего контракта с командой «Голд Кост Титанс», начиная с 2007 года. Принс сложил с себя обязанности капитана «Тигров» в сезоне 2006 года.
Newcastle Knights coach Michael Hagan signed a three year deal to coach the Parramatta Eels, beginning in 2007. Hagan replaced Brian Smith, who had coached the Eels since 1997 whilst Smith replaced Hagan at Newcastle in an unprecedented coach swap. In other coaching moves, Matthew Elliott was confirmed as the coach of the Penrith Panthers, beginning in 2007. Penrith Panthers halfback Craig Gower was fired as captain, suspended for four games and fined $100,000 ($90,000 to be paid to an NRL programme encouraging the responsible use of alcohol by league players and $10,000 to replace a destroyed golf cart) after a string of alcohol fueled incidents at a charity golf function. The Charity Shield heralded the unofficial start of the season, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeating St George Illawarra 14 12 in their first home game at Telstra Stadium on February 18. All NRL clubs engaged in a series of trials during the month of February. Wests Tigers premiership winning captain Scott Prince announced on March 3 he had signed a four year deal with expansion team Gold Coast Titans, beginning in 2007. Prince relinquished the captaincy of the Tigers for the 2006 season.
Взрыв зарплаты "Нью-Зеланд Уорриорс"
Предельный размер заработной платы в сезоне 2006 года составлял 3,366 миллиона австралийских долларов на клуб для 25 наиболее высокооплачиваемых игроков. Национальная регби-лига (NRL) проводила расследование в отношении новозеландского клуба "Уорриорз" по поводу предполагаемых нарушений лимита заработной платы, совершенных предыдущим руководством команды. Клуб признал, что в сезоне 2005 года искусственно завысил свою зарплатную ведомость почти на 1 миллион долларов. NRL оштрафовала "Уорриорз" на 430 000 долларов и обязала команду начать сезон с дефицитом в четыре очка в турнирной таблице. Это был первый случай за 99 лет истории регби-лиги в Австралии, когда команда начинала сезон с отрицательным количеством очков. "Уорриорз" обжаловали решение NRL о вычете четырех очков, но согласились с финансовым штрафом. Перед началом сезона NRL подтвердила, что вычет очков остаётся в силе. Этот штраф оказался решающим фактором, из-за которого "Уорриорз" в третий раз подряд не вышли в плей-офф.
The salary cap for the 2006 season was A$3.366 million per club for their 25 highest paid players. The New Zealand Warriors were investigated by the National Rugby League over alleged salary cap breaches committed by the team's previous administrators. The club admitted to inflating its salary cap to the tune of nearly $1 million during the 2005 season. The National Rugby League fined the Warriors $430,000 and ordered the team to start the season with a four premiership point deficit. It was the first time in 99 years of rugby league in Australia that a team has started a season on less than zero premiership points. The Warriors appealed the decision by the NRL to deduct the four competition points but accepted the financial penalty. Prior to the beginning of the season, the National Rugby League confirmed that the points penalty would stand. The penalty would prove the decisive factor in the Warriors missing the finals for the third year in succession.
Brisbane Broncos 19th seasonGround: Suncorp StadiumCoach: Wayne BennettCaptain: Darren LockyerCanterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 72nd seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Steve FolkesCaptain: Andrew RyanCanberra Raiders 25th seasonGround: Canberra StadiumCoach: Matthew ElliottCaptain: Clinton SchifcofskeCronulla Sutherland Sharks 40th seasonGround: Toyota StadiumCoach: Stuart RaperCaptain: Brett KimmorleyManly Warringah Sea Eagles 57th seasonGround: Brookvale OvalCoach: Des HaslerCaptain: Ben KennedyMelbourne Storm 9th seasonGround Olympic Park StadiumCoach: Craig BellamyCaptain: variousNew Zealand Warriors 12th seasonGround: Mt Smart StadiumCoach: Ivan ClearyCaptain: Steve PriceNewcastle Knights 19th seasonGround: EnergyAustralia StadiumCoach: Michael HaganCaptain: Andrew JohnsNorth Queensland Cowboys 12th seasonGround: Dairy Farmers StadiumCoach: Graham MurrayCaptain: Travis NortonParramatta Eels 60th seasonGround: Parramatta StadiumCoach: Brian Smith→Jason TaylorCaptain: Nathan CaylessPenrith Panthers 40th seasonGround: CUA StadiumCoach: John LangCaptain: Tony PuletuaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs 97th seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Shaun McRaeCaptain: Peter CusackSt. George Illawarra Dragons 8th seasonGround: OKI Jubilee Stadium & WIN StadiumCoach: Nathan BrownCaptain: Trent BarrettSydney Roosters 99th seasonGround: Sydney Football StadiumCoach: Ricky Stuart → Chris AndersonCaptain: Craig FitzgibbonWests Tigers 7th seasonGround: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt OvalCoach: Tim SheensCaptain: Brett Hodgson
Сидней Рустерс 99-й сезон
Стадион: Сиднейский футбольный стадион
Тренер: Рикки Стюарт → Крис Андерсон
Капитан: Крейг Фитцгиббон
Brisbane Broncos 19th seasonGround: Suncorp StadiumCoach: Wayne BennettCaptain: Darren LockyerCanterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 72nd seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Steve FolkesCaptain: Andrew RyanCanberra Raiders 25th seasonGround: Canberra StadiumCoach: Matthew ElliottCaptain: Clinton SchifcofskeCronulla Sutherland Sharks 40th seasonGround: Toyota StadiumCoach: Stuart RaperCaptain: Brett KimmorleyManly Warringah Sea Eagles 57th seasonGround: Brookvale OvalCoach: Des HaslerCaptain: Ben KennedyMelbourne Storm 9th seasonGround Olympic Park StadiumCoach: Craig BellamyCaptain: variousNew Zealand Warriors 12th seasonGround: Mt Smart StadiumCoach: Ivan ClearyCaptain: Steve PriceNewcastle Knights 19th seasonGround: EnergyAustralia StadiumCoach: Michael HaganCaptain: Andrew JohnsNorth Queensland Cowboys 12th seasonGround: Dairy Farmers StadiumCoach: Graham MurrayCaptain: Travis NortonParramatta Eels 60th seasonGround: Parramatta StadiumCoach: Brian Smith→Jason TaylorCaptain: Nathan CaylessPenrith Panthers 40th seasonGround: CUA StadiumCoach: John LangCaptain: Tony PuletuaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs 97th seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Shaun McRaeCaptain: Peter CusackSt. George Illawarra Dragons 8th seasonGround: OKI Jubilee Stadium & WIN StadiumCoach: Nathan BrownCaptain: Trent BarrettSydney Roosters 99th seasonGround: Sydney Football StadiumCoach: Ricky Stuart → Chris AndersonCaptain: Craig FitzgibbonWests Tigers 7th seasonGround: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt OvalCoach: Tim SheensCaptain: Brett Hodgson
Уэстс Тайгерс 7-й сезон
Стадион: Кэмпбелтаунский стадион & Лейчхардт Овал
Тренер: Тим Шинс
Капитан: Бретт Ходжсон
Brisbane Broncos 19th seasonGround: Suncorp StadiumCoach: Wayne BennettCaptain: Darren LockyerCanterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 72nd seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Steve FolkesCaptain: Andrew RyanCanberra Raiders 25th seasonGround: Canberra StadiumCoach: Matthew ElliottCaptain: Clinton SchifcofskeCronulla Sutherland Sharks 40th seasonGround: Toyota StadiumCoach: Stuart RaperCaptain: Brett KimmorleyManly Warringah Sea Eagles 57th seasonGround: Brookvale OvalCoach: Des HaslerCaptain: Ben KennedyMelbourne Storm 9th seasonGround Olympic Park StadiumCoach: Craig BellamyCaptain: variousNew Zealand Warriors 12th seasonGround: Mt Smart StadiumCoach: Ivan ClearyCaptain: Steve PriceNewcastle Knights 19th seasonGround: EnergyAustralia StadiumCoach: Michael HaganCaptain: Andrew JohnsNorth Queensland Cowboys 12th seasonGround: Dairy Farmers StadiumCoach: Graham MurrayCaptain: Travis NortonParramatta Eels 60th seasonGround: Parramatta StadiumCoach: Brian Smith→Jason TaylorCaptain: Nathan CaylessPenrith Panthers 40th seasonGround: CUA StadiumCoach: John LangCaptain: Tony PuletuaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs 97th seasonGround: Telstra StadiumCoach: Shaun McRaeCaptain: Peter CusackSt. George Illawarra Dragons 8th seasonGround: OKI Jubilee Stadium & WIN StadiumCoach: Nathan BrownCaptain: Trent BarrettSydney Roosters 99th seasonGround: Sydney Football StadiumCoach: Ricky Stuart → Chris AndersonCaptain: Craig FitzgibbonWests Tigers 7th seasonGround: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt OvalCoach: Tim SheensCaptain: Brett Hodgson
Реклама
В 2006 году NRL и их рекламное агентство MJW Hakuhodo в течение четвертого года использовали саундтрек "That's My Team" группы Hoodoo Gurus, разработав рекламную кампанию, призванную апеллировать к заветной надежде всех игроков и болельщиков: к вере в то, что именно "их команда" станет победителем Большого финала. Используя энтузиазм, вызванный триумфом "Уэстс Тайгерс" в 2005 году, всего на шестом сезоне, слоган кампании и припев песни были изменены на "That's My Dream". Во всех телевизионных и наружных рекламных роликах активно участвовали пятнадцать капитанов клубов NRL, держа над головой трофей Telstra. В телевизионном ролике также снялись восемь молодых болельщиков, отражая истоки игры – от дворового футбола до сиднейских пляжей. Каждый из них болел за один из восьми клубов, которые к тому времени еще не выигрывали трофей Telstra Premiership, и четыре различные версии ролика рассказывали истории об их любви к игре и мечте о победе своей команды.
In 2006 the NRL and their advertising agency MJW Hakuhodo stayed with the Hoodoo Gurus' "That's My Team" soundtrack for a fourth year, producing a treatment aimed to appeal to the fundamental hope of all players and fans: that it would be ‘their team’ who would win the Grand Final. Capitalising on the enthusiasm generated by the Wests Tigers triumph of 2005 in only their sixth season, the campaign line and song chorus was changed to ‘That’s My Dream’. All fifteen NRL club captains featured heavily in the television and outdoor ads holding aloft the Telstra trophy. Eight young real life fans also featured in the TV commercial reflecting the origins of the game from backyard football scenes to Sydney beaches. Each was a fan of one of eight clubs who had not till then won the Telstra Premiership trophy and four different broadcast versions of the ad told the stories of their love of the game and each's dream of their own team's victory.
Статистика и записи
Клинтон Шифкофске пробежал 3741 метр с мячом в 2006 году, больше, чем любой другой игрок в соревновании. «Брисбен Бронкос» установили клубный рекорд по самой крупной победе, отыгравшись с 0–18 в первом тайме и выиграв у «Канберры Рейдерс» со счетом 30–28 в 8-м туре. «Мельбурн Сторм» установил клубный рекорд по самой длинной победной серии, выиграв 11 игр подряд с 12-го по 23-й тур. «Нью-Зиленд Уорриорз» разгромили «Саут Сидней Рэббитоз» со счетом 66–0 в 16-м туре. Это установило новые рекорды для «Нью-Зиленд Уорриорз» по самой большой победе и для «Саут Сидней Рэббитоз» по самому крупному поражению. «Ньюкасл Найтс» и «Канберра Рейдерс» установили рекорд лиги по наибольшей сумме очков, набранных в матче, с общим счетом 102 очка в победе «Ньюкасла» со счетом 70–32 во 2-м туре. Предыдущий рекорд (97 очков в матче между «Сент-Джордж» и «Кентербери-Бэнкстаун») держался с 1935 года. «Кронулла-Сазерленд Шаркс» установили клубный рекорд по самой длинной проигрышной серии, проиграв 10 матчей подряд с 17-го по 26-й тур. Нейтан Мерритт стал первым игроком, возглавившим список лучших бомбардиров, играя за команду, занявшую последнее место.
Clinton Schifcofske ran 3,741 metres with the ball in 2006, more than any other player in the competition. The Brisbane Broncos set a club record for their biggest comeback win when they came from 18 0 down at half time to win 30 28 against Canberra Raiders in round 8. The Melbourne Storm set a club record for their longest winning streak with 11 games from Round 12 to Round 23. New Zealand Warriors defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 66–0 in Round 16. This set new records for New Zealand's greatest winning margin and South Sydney's greatest losing margin. The Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders set the league record for the highest aggregate score in a match, with a total of 102 points scored in Newcastle's 70–32 win in Round 2. The previous record (97 points, between St George and Canterbury Bankstown) had stood since 1935. The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks set a then club record for longest losing streak with 10 matches from Round 17 to Round 26. Nathan Merritt became the first player to top the try scoring chart from the wooden spoon winning side.
Финальная серия
«Мельбурн Сторм» впервые вышли в плей-офф в качестве победителей регулярного чемпионата. После первой победы в плей-офф над «Парраматта Илс» со счетом 12-6 у них была неделя на подготовку к предварительному финальному матчу, снова против «Сент-Джордж Иллаварра Драгонс», который «Сторм» выиграли со счетом 24-10, обеспечив себе место в Гранд-финале против «Брисбен Бронкос». «Бронкос» удивили всех за предыдущие два месяца. После небольшого провала в квалификационном финале, где они проиграли «Сент-Джордж Иллаварра Драгонс» со счетом 20-4, они вернулись в следующие две недели, разгромив «Ньюкасл Найтс» 50-6 в полуфинале и одержав победу со счетом 37-20 над «Булдогз» в предварительном финале.
The Melbourne Storm went into the finals for the first time as Minor Premiers. They had a week off after their first finals win against the Parramatta Eels 12 6 to prepare for a preliminary final encounter, again the St. George Illawarra Dragons which was won by the Storm 24 10, earning them a spot in the Grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos had surprised everyone in the previous two months. After a slight hiccup in the qualifying Final, going down against St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 4, they came back in the next two weeks, beating the Newcastle Knights 50 6 in the Semi final and coming from 20 6 down at halftime to win 37 20 against the Bulldogs in the preliminary final. HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeCrowd Qualifying Finals Newcastle Knights25–18 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles8 September 2006 8:00pmEnergyAustralia StadiumSean Hampstead23,752 Brisbane Broncos4–20 St. George Illawarra Dragons9 September 2006 6:30pmSuncorp StadiumPaul Simpkins50,387 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs30–12 Canberra Raiders9 September 2006 8:30pmTelstra StadiumShayne Hayne14,628 Melbourne Storm 12–6 Parramatta Eels10 September 2006 4:00pmOlympic ParkSteve Clark15,690 Semi finals St. George Illawarra Dragons28–0 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles15 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins30,907 Newcastle Knights6–50 Brisbane Broncos16 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumSteve Clark22,081 Preliminary Finals Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs20–37 Brisbane Broncos22 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins29,511 Melbourne Storm24–10 St. George Illawarra Dragons23 September 2006 7:45pmTelstra StadiumSteve Clark40,901
Квалификационные финалы:
«Ньюкасл Найтс» 25–18 «Мэнли Уорринга Си Иглз» 8 сентября 2006 г., 20:00, стадион EnergyAustralia, судья Шон Хэмпстед, 23 752 зрителя.
«Брисбен Бронкос» 4–20 «Сент-Джордж Иллаварра Драгонс» 9 сентября 2006 г., 18:30, стадион Suncorp, судья Пол Симпкинс, 50 387 зрителей.
«Кэнтербери Бэнкстаун Булдогз» 30–12 «Кэнберра Рейдерс» 9 сентября 2006 г., 20:30, стадион Telstra, судья Шейн Хейн, 14 628 зрителей.
«Мельбурн Сторм» 12–6 «Парраматта Илс» 10 сентября 2006 г., 16:00, Олимпийский парк, судья Стив Кларк, 15 690 зрителей.
The Melbourne Storm went into the finals for the first time as Minor Premiers. They had a week off after their first finals win against the Parramatta Eels 12 6 to prepare for a preliminary final encounter, again the St. George Illawarra Dragons which was won by the Storm 24 10, earning them a spot in the Grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos had surprised everyone in the previous two months. After a slight hiccup in the qualifying Final, going down against St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 4, they came back in the next two weeks, beating the Newcastle Knights 50 6 in the Semi final and coming from 20 6 down at halftime to win 37 20 against the Bulldogs in the preliminary final. HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeCrowd Qualifying Finals Newcastle Knights25–18 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles8 September 2006 8:00pmEnergyAustralia StadiumSean Hampstead23,752 Brisbane Broncos4–20 St. George Illawarra Dragons9 September 2006 6:30pmSuncorp StadiumPaul Simpkins50,387 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs30–12 Canberra Raiders9 September 2006 8:30pmTelstra StadiumShayne Hayne14,628 Melbourne Storm 12–6 Parramatta Eels10 September 2006 4:00pmOlympic ParkSteve Clark15,690 Semi finals St. George Illawarra Dragons28–0 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles15 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins30,907 Newcastle Knights6–50 Brisbane Broncos16 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumSteve Clark22,081 Preliminary Finals Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs20–37 Brisbane Broncos22 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins29,511 Melbourne Storm24–10 St. George Illawarra Dragons23 September 2006 7:45pmTelstra StadiumSteve Clark40,901
Полуфиналы:
«Сент-Джордж Иллаварра Драгонс» 28–0 «Мэнли Уорринга Си Иглз» 15 сентября 2006 г., 19:45, Сиднейский футбольный стадион, судья Пол Симпкинс, 30 907 зрителей.
«Ньюкасл Найтс» 6–50 «Брисбен Бронкос» 16 сентября 2006 г., 19:45, Сиднейский футбольный стадион, судья Стив Кларк, 22 081 зритель.
The Melbourne Storm went into the finals for the first time as Minor Premiers. They had a week off after their first finals win against the Parramatta Eels 12 6 to prepare for a preliminary final encounter, again the St. George Illawarra Dragons which was won by the Storm 24 10, earning them a spot in the Grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos had surprised everyone in the previous two months. After a slight hiccup in the qualifying Final, going down against St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 4, they came back in the next two weeks, beating the Newcastle Knights 50 6 in the Semi final and coming from 20 6 down at halftime to win 37 20 against the Bulldogs in the preliminary final. HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeCrowd Qualifying Finals Newcastle Knights25–18 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles8 September 2006 8:00pmEnergyAustralia StadiumSean Hampstead23,752 Brisbane Broncos4–20 St. George Illawarra Dragons9 September 2006 6:30pmSuncorp StadiumPaul Simpkins50,387 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs30–12 Canberra Raiders9 September 2006 8:30pmTelstra StadiumShayne Hayne14,628 Melbourne Storm 12–6 Parramatta Eels10 September 2006 4:00pmOlympic ParkSteve Clark15,690 Semi finals St. George Illawarra Dragons28–0 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles15 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins30,907 Newcastle Knights6–50 Brisbane Broncos16 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumSteve Clark22,081 Preliminary Finals Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs20–37 Brisbane Broncos22 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins29,511 Melbourne Storm24–10 St. George Illawarra Dragons23 September 2006 7:45pmTelstra StadiumSteve Clark40,901
Предварительные финалы:
«Кэнтербери Бэнкстаун Булдогз» 20–37 «Брисбен Бронкос» 22 сентября 2006 г., 19:45, Сиднейский футбольный стадион, судья Пол Симпкинс, 29 511 зрителей.
«Мельбурн Сторм» 24–10 «Сент-Джордж Иллаварра Драгонс» 23 сентября 2006 г., 19:45, стадион Telstra, судья Стив Кларк, 40 901 зритель.
The Melbourne Storm went into the finals for the first time as Minor Premiers. They had a week off after their first finals win against the Parramatta Eels 12 6 to prepare for a preliminary final encounter, again the St. George Illawarra Dragons which was won by the Storm 24 10, earning them a spot in the Grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos had surprised everyone in the previous two months. After a slight hiccup in the qualifying Final, going down against St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 4, they came back in the next two weeks, beating the Newcastle Knights 50 6 in the Semi final and coming from 20 6 down at halftime to win 37 20 against the Bulldogs in the preliminary final. HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeCrowd Qualifying Finals Newcastle Knights25–18 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles8 September 2006 8:00pmEnergyAustralia StadiumSean Hampstead23,752 Brisbane Broncos4–20 St. George Illawarra Dragons9 September 2006 6:30pmSuncorp StadiumPaul Simpkins50,387 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs30–12 Canberra Raiders9 September 2006 8:30pmTelstra StadiumShayne Hayne14,628 Melbourne Storm 12–6 Parramatta Eels10 September 2006 4:00pmOlympic ParkSteve Clark15,690 Semi finals St. George Illawarra Dragons28–0 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles15 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins30,907 Newcastle Knights6–50 Brisbane Broncos16 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumSteve Clark22,081 Preliminary Finals Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs20–37 Brisbane Broncos22 September 2006 7:45pmSydney Football StadiumPaul Simpkins29,511 Melbourne Storm24–10 St. George Illawarra Dragons23 September 2006 7:45pmTelstra StadiumSteve Clark40,901
Player2005 Club2006 Club Stuart Kelly Brisbane Broncos Retirement Darren Mapp Brisbane Broncos Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Darren Smith Brisbane Broncos Retirement Matt Adamson Canberra Raiders Retirement Ben Cross Canberra Raiders Melbourne Storm Matt Gafa Canberra Raiders Super League: Harlequins RL Ian Hindmarsh Canberra Raiders Super League: Catalans Dragons Ryan O'Hara Canberra Raiders Wests Tigers Michael Robertson Canberra Raiders Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Tyran Smith Canberra Raiders Retirement Braith Anasta Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Sydney Roosters Jamahl Lolesi Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Wests Tigers Keith Galloway Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Wests Tigers Sam Isemonger Cronulla Sutherland Sharks St. George Illawarra Dragons Ryan McGoldrick Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Super League: Castleford Tigers Paul Mellor Cronulla Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs Nathan Merritt Cronulla Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs David Peachey Cronulla Sutherland Sharks South Sydney Rabbitohs Jason Stevens Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Retirement Michael Sullivan Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Super League: Warrington Wolves Scott Donald Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Leeds Rhinos Sam Harris Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Wests Tigers Daniel Heckenberg Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Harlequins RL Terry Hill Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Retirement John Hopoate Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Suspension Chad Randall Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Harlequins RL Steven Bell Melbourne Storm Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Alex Chan Melbourne Storm Super League: Catalans Dragons Robbie Kearns Melbourne Storm Retirement Jamie McDonald Melbourne Storm Toulouse Olympique Matt Orford Melbourne Storm Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Peter Robinson Melbourne Storm Retirement Dennis Scott Melbourne Storm Retirement Mark Hughes Newcastle Knights Super League: Catalans Dragons Andrew Price Newcastle Knights St. George Illawarra Dragons Monty Betham New Zealand Warriors Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Stacey Jones New Zealand Warriors Super League: Catalans Dragons Francis Meli New Zealand Warriors Super League: St. Helens Iafeta Palea'aesina New Zealand Warriors Super League: Wigan Warriors Karl Te Mata New Zealand Warriors Super League: Harlequins RL Richard Villasanti New Zealand Warriors Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Jaiman Lowe North Queensland Cowboys South Sydney Rabbitohs Micheal Luck North Queensland Cowboys New Zealand Warriors Leigh McWilliams North Queensland Cowboys Retirement David Myles North Queensland Cowboys Toulouse Olympique Paul Rauhihi North Queensland Cowboys Super League: Warrington Wolves Chris Sheppard North Queensland Cowboys St. George Illawarra Dragons Ashley Graham Parramatta Eels North Queensland Cowboys Garret Crossman Penrith Panthers Melbourne Storm Shannon Donato Penrith Panthers Retirement Paul Franze Penrith Panthers Super League: Castleford Tigers Joe Galuvao Penrith Panthers South Sydney Rabbitohs Brett Howland Penrith Panthers Retirement Ben Ross Penrith Panthers Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Bryan Fletcher South Sydney Rabbitohs Super League: Wigan Warriors Glenn Hall South Sydney Rabbitohs Sydney Roosters Ashley Harrison South Sydney Rabbitohs Sydney Roosters Lee Hookey South Sydney Rabbitohs Penrith Panthers Brett Kearney South Sydney Rabbitohs Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Scott Logan South Sydney Rabbitohs Super League: Wigan Warriors Michael Ennis St. George Illawarra Dragons Brisbane Broncos Willie Manu St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Castleford Tigers Shane Marteene St. George Illawarra Dragons Retirement Lance Thompson St. George Illawarra Dragons Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Albert Torrens St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Huddersfield Giants Ned Catic Sydney Roosters Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Jason Cayless Sydney Roosters Super League: St. Helens Michael Crocker Sydney Roosters Melbourne Storm Richie Faʻaoso Sydney Roosters Super League: Castleford Tigers Luke Ricketson Sydney Roosters Retirement Chris Walker Sydney Roosters Melbourne Storm Stuart Webb Sydney Roosters South Sydney Rabbitohs Robert Miles Wests Tigers Retirement Mark O'Neill Wests Tigers Super League: Leeds Rhinos Pat Richards Wests Tigers Super League: Wigan Warriors Matthew Rieck Wests Tigers Retirement John Wilson Wests Tigers Super League: Catalans Dragons Craig Stapleton Super League: Leigh Centurions Penrith Panthers Mark O'Halloran Super League: London Broncos Penrith Panthers Darren Albert Super League: St. Helens Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Mark Edmondson Super League: St. Helens Sydney Roosters Andrew Emelio Super League: Widnes Vikings Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Brian Carney Super League: Wigan Warriors Newcastle Knights Shane Muspratt North Queensland Young Guns (Queensland Cup) North Queensland Cowboys Matt Bickerstaff N/A St. George Illawarra Dragons Luke Davico N/A Newcastle Knights John Doyle N/A Sydney Roosters George Gatis N/A New Zealand Warriors