Brisbane Broncos - NRL 2000

2000 - Broncos Mark A Decade Of Domination

BRISBANE BRONCOS 14 (Tuqiri, Sailor tries; De Vere 3 goals)
d.SYDNEY ROOSTERS 6 (Fitzgibbon try; Phillips goal)
Referee: Bill Harrigan. Crowd: 94,277 at Sydney Olympic Stadium.

Despite the changes to the make-up of the NRL competition, much was as it had always been in 2000. The Brisbane Broncos were again the stand-out team throughout the season culminating in their Grand Final win over Sydney Roosters in an uninspiring game. It was the Broncos fifth premiership in less than a decade. The three joint venture teams all finished outside of the semi-finals - a poor result given the benefits that were hoped for.

South Sydney commenced a legal challenge against their exclusion and gained support from many fans of other clubs - some missed being able to see their team play against their traditional foe while others came from the disaffected supporters who had lost their team to a merger. The Rabbitohs lost their initial legal action despite putting forward a strong argument.

At the end of the season the poorly performed Auckland Warriors (est.1995) were closed down following bankruptcy. In a move which further dismayed many Rabbitohs fans, the NRL leased the vacant NRL team licence to a New Zealand entrepreneur. The Warriors were then re-born into the "New Zealand Warriors" for the 2001 competition. Meanwhile Souths continued their battle in the courts, as Manly and Norths looked to ensure the financial well-being of their joint venture Northern Eagles.

GRAND FINAL: August 29, Sydney - Stadium Australia (94,277)
Brisbane 14 defeated Sydney Roosters 6
Brisbane: D.Lockyer, L.Tuquri, T.Carroll, M.Devere, W.Sailor, B.Ikin, K.Walters (c), S.Webcke, L.Priddis, D.Carlaw, G.Tallis, B.Thorn, K.Campion. Interchange: H.Howard, M.Hancock, S.Berrigan, A.Harrison.
Sydney Roosters: L.Phillips, M.Sing, R.Cross, S.Hegarty, A.Minichiello, B.Fittler (c), A.Lam, L.Ricketson, C.Fitzgibbon, B.Fletcher, P.Cusack, S.Bonetti, I.Rubin. Interchange: D.Hood, D.Solomona, S.Rigon, C.Wing.