What rugby league looked like back in 2002

BY JAMES SMITH

This magnificent beast is the official 2002 Rugby League Album, as issued by The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs two decades ago.

Not exactly considered retro yet by any stretch, it is still a fantastic time capsule, and an interesting look back at who was gracing the fields of the NRL in just fifth season since the ARL and Super League got back together to form a unified competition.

The papers would have released a coupon or token of some sort so that you could score the folder initially, along with a starter set of cards, and then the reader (in this case, your author's dad) had to wait patiently as each player in the set was available to pick up at your local servo or newsagent.


The 2002 Rugby League Album, as published by The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs. 

As you can see, and speaking of things unified, this folder contains representatives from the great Northern Eagles, who were in action 20 years ago.

There were some truly horrific NRL logos back in the day - Parra and Penrith's were very ordinary, for example, as well as that Bulldogs one - still don't know what that was all about ...

It can be interesting with this type of memorabilia to scan it for rookies or would-be coaches of the day to see where they ended up.

Ivan Cleary and Todd Payten seemed to go okay post their playing days, so did Noddy Kimmorley, who was able to learn some valuable lessons in his time mentoring the Wests Tigers in the back half of 2022.


The Northern Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys' cards.  

We'll leave the final word to another Sharks great, Preston Campbell, who had a message on the inside front cover of the folder back in 2002.

"The 2002 season is already one to remember. The return of South Sydney has mobilised a new wave of support for the Telstra Premiership," the reigning Dally M Medal winner said.

"They said last season the footy had never been as exciting, but from my point of view, it is still getting better."


The Bulldogs, Panthers and Eels logos back in the day. 


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