2001-02

The inaugural season kicked off with 20 teams going for glory. The Minor Premiers Gold Coast ended up playing the Perth Taipans in an exciting Grand Final which went to overtime before a try by man of the match Laurie Daley sealed victory 20 points to 14.

During the season the State Of Origin was played with New South Wales winning the series three nil.

The Dally M player of the year was Perth lock Glenn Morrison.


2002

The season kicked off with the Bob Fulton Cup, a knockout competition involving all 28 teams. The final was won by Central who defeated Townsville 18-10. It was a great effort by the new franchise Townsville to reach the final.

The State of Origin series was again dominated by New South Wales who again won the series 3-0 including a 40-0 Bluewash in Game Three.

With 28 teams applying for franchises it was decided to have two Divisions with both coming together in one Finals Series. Defending Premiers Gold Coast made it to the Grand Final but in another great game they fell 28-4 behind before fighting back to just fail to peg back a North Melbourne side 31-28 led by man of the match Andrew Walker who score a try, kicked five from six as well as a field goal.

The player of the year was awarded at the Dally M Night and went to Clinton Schifcofske of the Central side. Coach of the year was Steve Simmons who just failed to get Canberra to the Finals after a slow start. Rookie of the Year was Tommy O’Reilly of the Gold Coast.

The Crown Casino Risk was played towards the end of the season with eight teams entering and having to forfeit their Premiership game for that Round. Two teams that had struggled through the year contested the final with Tamworth defeating Eastwood 24-20.

The Clive Churchill Cup was played with the 20 teams that failed to make the playoffs eligible to compete. South Melbourne proved too classy for the Canberra side winning 27-18.


2002-3

The Bob Fulton Cup again kicked off the season with all 34 teams involved. Central successfully defended their title downing Perth Taipans 18-10 in the Final

The ASRL grew to 34 teams in 2002-3 with the top 16 clubs according to the previous season table going into the Premier Division and the other 18 teams which included six new franchises making up the First Division. In the Grand Final New Zealand opened up a 16-2 lead before hanging on to beat Central 16-14 with man of the match Richard Peleasina leading the way some strong running. It was a great effort by the management of the club who had taken over the Franchise from the Hobart side. In the Division One Grand Final Central Coast defeated Wollongong 28-24 and along with Christchurch gained promotion to the Premier League.

The Dally M awarded medals for both Divisions Timana Tahu of the New Zealand side picking up the main prize player of the year. Rookie of the Year went to Blaze Wilson of Brisbane with Coach of the Year going to the Grand Final winning coach Nathan Hoy. Division One Player of the year was Matt Burke of Port Moresby with Luke Sharp of Christchurch named Coach of the Year.

Although Queensland were much more competitive in the State of Origin series they still went down 3-0 with Matt Burke named Player of the Series.

The Crown Casino Risk was again played under the same format as last season with teams nominating and forfeiting their Premiership Game. The Division One side Central Coast upset the Premier League club New Zealand 22-18 in the Final.

The inaugural Sevens Tournament was played with the 34 Premiership Clubs joined by some Emerging International Sides and special Selection sides. The Tournament was a great success with Central defeating Wollongong 22-16 in the Final.

Steve Simmons