This article is about the Australian Rugby League's 1997 competition. For the Super League-operated rival competition, see 1997 Super League (Australia) season.
Not to be confused with 1997 AFL season.
Rugby league season
1997 Australian Rugby League
Duration
7 March – 28 September 1997
Teams
12
Premiers
Newcastle (1st title)
Minor premiers
Manly (9th title)
Matches played
141
Points scored
5,370
Average attendance
10,610
Attendance
1,496,040
Top points scorer(s)
Jason Taylor (242)
Player of the year
Brad Fittler (Provan-Summons Medal)
Top try-scorer(s)
Terry Hill (22)
← 1996
1998 (NRL) →
The 1997 Australian Rugby League season was the 90th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the third season run by the Australian Rugby League. While several clubs had left the League to compete in the 1997 Super League season, twelve ARL-loyal teams – eight from across Sydney, two from greater New South Wales and two from Queensland – competed for the Optus Cup Trophy. The top seven teams then played a series of knock-out finals which culminated in a September grand final played in Sydney between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights. The fairytale came true for thousands of Novocastrians when the Newcastle club won their first ever premiership, staging a comeback from 8–16 to shatter Manly's hopes.
While several clubs had left the League to compete in the 1997 Super League season, twelve ARL-loyal teams – eight from across Sydney, two from greater...
The 1996 ARL premiership (also known as the 1996 Optus Cup due to sponsorship from Optus) was the 89th season of professional rugby league football in...
The ARL Premiership was Australia's first grade rugby league competition between 1995 and 1997. It replaced the previous competition, the New South Wales...
The 1995 ARL premiership was the 88th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the first to be run by the Australian Rugby League...
Tri-series 1997ARLseason Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney State Of Origin 1997 FIGHT - Johns...
as gay. 1997 was unique in Australian rugby league's history as it was split into two separate competitions: the 1997ARLseason and the 1997 Super League...
the 1996 season as North Sydney's top try scorer. Ikin played in the club's shock preliminary final loss to St. George. In the 1997ARLseason, Ikin made...
ball forwards to himself – even in the absence of markers. 1997ARL Implemented: 1997ARLseason. Striking by the defending marker at the play-the-ball was...
was retired by the AFL in 2005. Optus was the main sponsor of the 1997ARLseason.[citation needed] In 2016, Optus signed a 10-year partnership agreement...
five-eighth, Brad Fittler. September 28 at Sydney, Australia – the 1997ARLseason culminates in the Newcastle Knights' 22-16 win over the Manly-Warringah...
missing out on a Blues or Australian cap due to injury. During the 1997ARLseason Johns played a pivotal role in guiding the Knights to their first grand...
the 1997ARLseason, and reached the grand final, in which he scored a try, but it was not enough to defeat Newcastle. At the end of the 1997season, Innes...
debut for South Queensland in round 20 of the 1996 ARLseason against St. George. In the 1997ARLseason, Antonik played 19 games alternating between halfback...
rival competition in 1997. Both the ARL and Super League competitions ran parallel to each other that year. At the close of the season, despite having the...
signed a contract to join Balmain ahead of the 1997ARLseason. Donaghey made 32 appearances over two seasons with the club. "Greg Donaghey - Career Stats...
Jarrod Mullen, Paul Dan and Anthony Tupou. In Round 3 of the 1997ARLseason Buderus made his ARL début for the Newcastle Knights against the South Queensland...
first finals campaign in 11 years when the club finished 3rd in the 1997ARLseason. Parramatta would go on to lose 28–20 against the Newcastle Knights...
appearances for them in 1997. Bai then moved to the Gold Coast Chargers in Australia. He played the final 18 games of the 1997ARLseason, scoring five tries...
South Queensland in the ARL competition. Wendt made his first grade debut for South Queensland in round 10 of the 1996 ARLseason against Newcastle at Marathon...
more tries in the National Rugby League and its predecessors, the NSWRL, ARL and Super League premierships. Players still currently active are listed...
Global Information
Newcastle (1st title)
Manly (9th title)
Jason Taylor (242)
Brad Fittler (Provan-Summons Medal)