2003 : Roosters vs. Panthers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Canterbury Bulldogs

In the first Semi Final, the Roosters beat the Bulldogs 28-18 in a match that was billed as 'The Grand Final That Never Was'. This is because in 2002 the Bulldogs, who looked certain to become minor premiers and also go through to the Grand Final (they'd won 17 straight during the season), were deducted 37 points and virtually eliminated from the competition for breaching the annual salary cap, and the Sydney Roosters went on to win the 2002 Premiership.

Answer: New Zealand Warriors

Penrith, the 2003 Minor Premiers, beat the Warriors 28-20. If the Warriors had won, the Grand Final would have been a replay of the 2002 decider.

Answer: Ricky Stuart

He led them to the 2002 Premiership in his first season as a first grade NRL coach. Stuart won the Clive Churchill medal, for best player in a Grand Final, in 1990 with the Canberra Raiders against Penrith when they won 18-14. He also played in the 1991 19-14 loss to the Panthers, and the 1989 19-14 extra-time win against Balmain.

Answer: John Lang

A former Cronulla Sharks coach, he played in Easts' losing Grand Final team in 1980, when they lost 18-4 to Canterbury.

Answer: Bill Harrigan

This match was the record 10th Grand Final that 'Hollywood' had refereed. There were 3 penalties given in this match, 2-1 to the Panthers. Bill's first grand final was the 1989 decider.

Answer: 6-0 Panthers

The only try in the first half was scored by Penrith winger Luke Rooney. This was the first match in 2003 where the Roosters were held scoreless for the first half.

Answer: Scott Sattler

Scott Sattler's father is the great Souths hardman John Sattler, who played the majority of the 1970 Grand Final with a broken jaw. Souths won the 1970 Grand Final 23-12 against Manly. John Sattler won 4 Grand Finals, in 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971. He was also a losing Grand Finalist in 1965 and 1969.

Answer: 18-6 Panthers

This became Penrith's second Premiership, after entering the NSWRL in 1967. Their other Premiership was in 1991 against Canberra, and Roosters captain Brad Fittler played in that win for the Panthers, but due to disputes between the Super League and the ARL, he joined the Roosters at the beginning of the 1996 season (who were then known as Eastern Suburbs).

Answer: Luke Priddis

Priddis, Penrith's hooker, played for Brisbane in 2000 when they beat the Roosters 14-6. Unfortuantely for him, he did not get rewarded with a place on the end-of-season Kangaroo Tour of England. Fitzgibbon won the medal in 2002, and this match was his 4th Grand Final in 5 years (and 6 season careers).

He had lost 20-18 against Melbourne in 1999 (playing for St George Illawarra), lost 14-6 against Brisbane in 2000 (with the Roosters), won 30-8 against the Warriors in 2002 (with the Roosters).

Answer: Yes

The Roosters lost 8 games in 2002 and the Grand Final was a loss also. Five Panthers were chosen in the Kangaroos squad the next day (Joel Clinton, Ryan Girdler, Craig Gower, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse) and six Roosters were chosen (Michael Crocker, Craig Fitzgibbon, Shannon Hegarty, Anthony Minichiello, Luke Ricketson and Craig Wing).