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1981 NSWRFL season

{{Short description|Rugby league competition}}

{{Use Australian English|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox rugby league season

| year = 1981

| competition = New South Wales Rugby Football League

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption =

| teams = 12

| premiers = 16x16px Parramatta

| count = 1st

| minor premiers = 16x16px Eastern Suburbs

| mpcount = 15th

| matches = 138

| points = 4,160

| attendance = 1,312,977

| top point scorer = 16x16px Steve Rogers (194)

| top try scorer = 16x16px Terry Fahey (16)

| MVP = {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Kevin Hastings

| MVP_link = Rothmans Medal

| wooden_spoon = Balmain

| wooden_spoon_count = 3rd

| prevseason_link = 1980 NSWRFL season

| prevseason_year = 1980

| nextseason_link = 1982 NSWRFL season

| nextseason_year = 1982

}}

The 1981 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the 74th season of Sydney's professional rugby league football competition, Australia's first. Twelve clubs, including six of 1908's foundation teams and another six from around Sydney competed for the J J Giltinan Shield and Wills Cup during the season, which culminated in a grand final between the Parramatta and Newtown clubs. NSWRFL clubs also competed in the 1981 Tooth Cup and players from NSWRFL clubs were selected to represent the New South Wales team.

Season summary

In 1981 the "sin-bin" was introduced to rugby league in Australia, enabling referees to send players from the field for five or ten minute periods for minor or deliberate technical offences.{{cite book

|last=Middleton

|first=David

|title=League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia

|publisher=National Museum of Australia

|year=2008

|pages=31

|url=http://www.nma.gov.au/shared/libraries/attachments/league_of_legends/rugby_league_a_work_in_progress/files/22453/F_RL_work_in_progress.pdf

|isbn=978-1-876944-64-3

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317093000/http://www.nma.gov.au/shared/libraries/attachments/league_of_legends/rugby_league_a_work_in_progress/files/22453/F_RL_work_in_progress.pdf

|archive-date=2011-03-17

}} Newtown {{rlp|hk}} Barry Jensen became the first player to be sent from the field in this manner.

Midway through the season, players contracted to NSWRFL clubs were selected to represent the New South Wales team in two games against the Queensland team in 1981. After that the experimental 1981 State of Origin game was played, and for the second time in history NSWRFL clubs' players were able to represent Queensland.

Twenty-two regular season rounds were played from March until August, resulting in a top five of Easts, Newtown, Parramatta, Cronulla and Manly who battled it out in the finals.

Eastern Suburbs' halfback Kevin Hastings won the 1981 season's Rothmans Medal as well as Rugby League Week's Player of the Year award. The Dally M Award went to Cronulla-Sutherland centre, Steve Rogers.

=Teams=

This was to be the final year that the NSWRFL premiership was an all-Sydney competition, with the introduction of teams from Canberra and Illawarra in 1982 starting a new era of expansion which would see the League transform into a national, then international competition.

align="center" class="toccolours" style="text-valign: center;" cellpadding=3 cellspacing=2
width=185|

!width=185|

!width=185|

!width=185|

align="center"|BalmainImage:Balmain Jersey 1978.png

74th season
Ground: Leichhardt Oval

Coach: Frank Stanton
Captain: Allan McMahon→Neil Whittaker

|align="center"|Canterbury-BankstownImage:Canterbury-Bankstown Jersey 1979.png

47th season
Ground: Belmore Oval

Coach: Ted Glossop
Captain: Mark Hughes & Garry Hughes

|align="center"|Cronulla-SutherlandImage:Cronulla-Sutherland Jersey 1981.png

15th season
Ground: Endeavour Field

Coach: Greg Pierce
Captain: Steve Rogers

|align="center"|Eastern SuburbsImage:Eastern Suburbs Jersey 1980.png

74th season
Ground: Sydney Sports Ground

Coach: Bob Fulton
Captain: Royce Ayliffe

align="center"|Manly-WarringahImage:Manly-Warringah Jersey 1980.png

35th season
Ground: Brookvale Oval

Coach: Ray Ritchie
Captain: Max Krilich

|align="center"|NewtownImage:Newtown Jersey 1979.png

74th season
Ground: Henson Park

Coach: Warren Ryan
Captain: Tommy Raudonikis

|align="center"|North SydneyImage:North Sydney Jersey 1980.png

74th season
Ground:North Sydney Oval

Coach: Ron Willey
Captain: Mark Graham

|align="center"|ParramattaImage:Parramatta Jersey 1980.png

35th season
Ground: Cumberland Oval

Coach: Jack Gibson
Captain: Steve Edge

align="center"|PenrithImage:Penrith Jersey 1980.png

15th season
Ground: Penrith Park

Coach: Len Stacker
Captain: Tim Sheens

|align="center"|South SydneyImage:South Sydney Jersey 1980.png

74th season
Ground: Redfern Oval

Coach: Bill Anderson
Captain: Nathan Gibbs→Mitch Brennan

|align="center"|St. GeorgeImage:St George Jersey 1979.png

61st season
Ground: Kogarah Oval

Coach: Harry Bath
Captain: Craig Young

|align="center"|Western SuburbsImage:Western Suburbs Jersey 1978.png

74th season
Ground: Lidcombe Oval

Coach: Roy Masters
Captain: Warren Boland

Regular season

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center; width:90%"
valign="top"

!valign="middle"| Team

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! 17

! 18

! 19

! 20

! 21

! 22

! 23

! F1

! F2

! F3

! GF

align="left"| Balmain Tigers

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+1

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−39

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−6

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−19

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−7

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+7

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−1

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−1

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−11

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−10

|style="background:#E6E7CE |STG
0

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−9

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+9

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+19

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−26

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−4

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+19

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+39

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−10

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+11

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−10

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−7

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+11

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−14

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−17

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+11

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−33

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−7

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−4

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+26

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−3

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−11

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+18

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+6

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+11

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+3

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−5

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+7

|style="background:#E6E7CE |SOU
0

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−6

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+9

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+1

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+20

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−15

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+1

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+3

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−14

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−18

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−3

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Eastern Suburbs Roosters

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−1

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+3

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+6

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+22

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−5

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+9

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+1

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+8

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+4

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+18

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+1

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+14

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−10

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+33

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−2

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+20

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+12

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+14

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−2

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−4

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−10

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+12

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−12

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−11

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+8

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−19

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−18

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+14

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+28

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−6

|style="background:#E6E7CE |NEW
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+7

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+11

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+9

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+20

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+5

|style="background:#E6E7CE |PAR
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−5

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Newtown Jets

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−24

|style="background:#E6E7CE |WES
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−22

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+12

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+18

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+10

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+16

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−2

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+17

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+6

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−16

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+1

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+10

|style="background:#E6E7CE |MAN
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−3

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+14

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+4

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−2

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+5

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+10

|style="background:#D3D3D3;"|PAR
−9

align="left"| North Sydney Bears

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−10

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+29

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−1

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+19

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−11

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−1

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+21

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−14

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−13

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−20

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−20

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−4

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+3

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Parramatta Eels

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+24

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+4

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+34

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−11

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−2

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+9

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−6

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+19

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−14

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−5

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+14

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+11

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+15

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+14

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+12

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+17

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+27

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−14

|style="background:#E6E7CE |MAN
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+2

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+4

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFD700;"|NEW
+9

align="left"| Penrith Panthers

|style="background:#cfc;" |CRO
+11

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−3

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+10

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−3

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−1

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+19

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−7

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−14

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−21

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+6

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−10

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−17

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+4

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−19

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| South Sydney Rabbitohs

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−34

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−2

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+15

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−16

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−19

|style="background:#E6E7CE |CRO
0

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−5

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+17

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−11

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−3

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−11

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+3

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−26

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−2

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| St. George Dragons

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+26

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NOR
−29

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+8

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−9

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|WES
−4

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+3

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#cfc;" |MAN
+18

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−17

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−18

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−17

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−20

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PEN
−15

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−12

|style="background:#cfc;" |WES
+17

|style="background:#E6E7CE |BAL
0

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−12

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−5

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|NEW
−9

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

align="left"| Western Suburbs Magpies

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−12

|style="background:#E6E7CE |NEW
0

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CBY
−19

|style="background:#cfc;" |SOU
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−3

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+15

|style="background:#cfc;" |STG
+4

|style="background:#cfc;" |PAR
+6

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+1

|style="background:#cfc;" |BAL
+7

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|EAS
−4

|style="background:#99ccff;"|X

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|MAN
−28

|style="background:#cfc;" |NEW
+16

|style="background:#cfc;" |CBY
+17

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|SOU
−6

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|CRO
−1

|style="background:#cfc;" |NOR
+13

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|STG
−17

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|PAR
−27

|style="background:#cfc;" |PEN
+2

|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|BAL
−9

|style="background:#cfc;" |EAS
+2

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

|style="background:#808080;"|

valign="top"

!valign="middle"| Team

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! 17

! 18

! 19

! 20

! 21

! 22

! 23

! F1

! F2

! F3

! GF

Bold – Home game

X – Bye

Opponent for round listed above margin

=Ladder=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
width="20" | {{abbr|Pos|Position}}

!Team

!width="20" | {{abbr|Pld|Games played}}

!width="20" | {{abbr|W|Won}}

!width="20" | {{abbr|D|Drawn}}

!width="20" | {{abbr|L|Lost}}

!width="25" | {{abbr|PF|Points for (total points scored)}}

!width="25" | {{abbr|PA|Points against (total points conceded)}}

!width="30" | {{abbr|PD|Points difference (points scored minus points conceded)}}

!width="20" | {{abbr|Pts|Competition points}}

style="background: #ccffcc;"

|1

style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Eastern Suburbs

|22

1606385225+16032
style="background: #ccffcc;"

|2

style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Newtown

|22

1426326268+5830
style="background: #ccffcc;"

|3

style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Parramatta

|22

1417398246+15229
style="background: #ccffcc;"

|4

style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Cronulla

|22

1318339337+227
style="background: #ccffcc;"

|5

style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Manly

|22

1228350317+3326
6style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Western Suburbs

|22

11110311352|
4123
7style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px North Sydney

|22

9013322355|
3318
8style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px St. George

|22

8113320399|
7917
9style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px South Sydney

|22

8113322423|
10117
10style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Canterbury

|22

8014340344|
416
11style="text-align:left;"| {{leagueicon|Old Penrith|size=16}} Penrith

|22

8014305350|
4516
12style="text-align:left;"| 16x16px Balmain

|22

6115293395|
10213

=Ladder progression=

  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 5.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
  • Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height: 90%; font-size:90%;" width=100%
width=20 abbr="Position" |

!width=250 |Team

!width=20 abbr="Round 1" |1

!width=20 abbr="Round 2" |2

!width=20 abbr="Round 3" |3

!width=20 abbr="Round 4" |4

!width=20 abbr="Round 5" |5

!width=20 abbr="Round 6" |6

!width=20 abbr="Round 7" |7

!width=20 abbr="Round 8" |8

!width=20 abbr="Round 9" |9

!width=20 abbr="Round 10" |10

!width=20 abbr="Round 11" |11

!width=20 abbr="Round 12" |12

!width=20 abbr="Round 13" |13

!width=20 abbr="Round 14" |14

!width=20 abbr="Round 15" |15

!width=20 abbr="Round 16" |16

!width=20 abbr="Round 17" |17

!width=20 abbr="Round 18" |18

!width=20 abbr="Round 19" |19

!width=20 abbr="Round 20" |20

!width=20 abbr="Round 21" |21

!width=20 abbr="Round 22" |22

!width=20 abbr="Round 23" |23

1style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|size=16}} Eastern Suburbs Roosters024style="background: #ccffcc;"|6style="background: #99ccff;"|8style="background: #ccffcc;"|8style="background: #ccffcc;"|10style="background: #99ccff;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #99ccff;"|14style="background: #99ccff;"|16style="background: #99ccff;"|18style="background: #99ccff;"|20style="background: #99ccff;"|22style="background: #99ccff;"|24style="background: #99ccff;"|24style="background: #99ccff;"|26style="background: #99ccff;"|26style="background: #99ccff;"|26style="background: #99ccff;"|28style="background: #99ccff;"|30style="background: #99ccff;"|32style="background: #99ccff;"|32
2style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Newtown|size=16}} Newtown Jets01335style="background: #ccffcc;"|7style="background: #ccffcc;"|9style="background: #ccffcc;"|11style="background: #ccffcc;"|11style="background: #ccffcc;"|11style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|15style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|19style="background: #ccffcc;"|21style="background: #ccffcc;"|22style="background: #ccffcc;"|24style="background: #ccffcc;"|24style="background: #ccffcc;"|24style="background: #ccffcc;"|26style="background: #ccffcc;"|28style="background: #ccffcc;"|30
3style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} Parramatta Eelsstyle="background: #ccffcc;"|2style="background: #ccffcc;"|4style="background: #99ccff;"|6style="background: #99ccff;"|6style="background: #ccffcc;"|6style="background: #ccffcc;"|8style="background: #99ccff;"|10style="background: #ccffcc;"|10style="background: #99ccff;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|14style="background: #ccffcc;"|16style="background: #ccffcc;"|18style="background: #ccffcc;"|20style="background: #ccffcc;"|22style="background: #ccffcc;"|24style="background: #ccffcc;"|26style="background: #ccffcc;"|28style="background: #ccffcc;"|28style="background: #ccffcc;"|29
4style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Cronulla|size=16}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks0style="background: #ccffcc;"|2style="background: #ccffcc;"|4style="background: #ccffcc;"|6style="background: #ccffcc;"|8style="background: #99ccff;"|10style="background: #ccffcc;"|10style="background: #ccffcc;"|10style="background: #ccffcc;"|10style="background: #ccffcc;"|12style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|15style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|19style="background: #ccffcc;"|19style="background: #ccffcc;"|21style="background: #ccffcc;"|23style="background: #ccffcc;"|25style="background: #ccffcc;"|25style="background: #ccffcc;"|25style="background: #ccffcc;"|25style="background: #ccffcc;"|27
5style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eaglesstyle="background: #ccffcc;"|2style="background: #ccffcc;"|4style="background: #ccffcc;"|444468881010121414141517style="background: #ccffcc;"|19style="background: #ccffcc;"|21style="background: #ccffcc;"|23style="background: #ccffcc;"|25style="background: #ccffcc;"|26
6style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Western Suburbs|size=16}} Western Suburbs Magpies011335style="background: #ccffcc;"|7style="background: #ccffcc;"|9style="background: #ccffcc;"|11style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|13style="background: #ccffcc;"|15style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|17style="background: #ccffcc;"|191919212123
7style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|North Sydney|size=16}} North Sydney Bearsstyle="background: #ccffcc;"|2224style="background: #ccffcc;"|666681010101212141414141616161618
8style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} St. George Dragonsstyle="background: #99ccff;"|2style="background: #99ccff;"|4style="background: #ccffcc;"|44666881010101212121414141617171717
9style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|South Sydney|size=16}} South Sydney Rabbitohs00style="background: #ffcccc;"|0style="background: #ffcccc;"|0244444style="background: #ffcccc;"|577991111131315151717
10style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogsstyle="background: #ffcccc;"|0style="background: #ffcccc;"|02style="background: #ccffcc;"|44style="background: #ccffcc;"|66666888881010101212141616
11style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Old Penrith|size=16}} Penrith Panthersstyle="background: #ccffcc;"|2style="background: #ccffcc;"|2style="background: #ccffcc;"|4style="background: #ccffcc;"|6style="background: #ccffcc;"|666881010101010101214141416161616
12style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Balmain|size=16}} Balmain Tigers2222style="background: #ffcccc;"|2style="background: #ffcccc;"|2style="background: #ffcccc;"|4style="background: #ffcccc;"|4style="background: #ffcccc;"|4style="background: #ffcccc;"|46style="background: #ffcccc;"|6style="background: #ffcccc;"|6style="background: #ffcccc;"|6style="background: #ffcccc;"|6style="background: #ffcccc;"|6style="background: #ffcccc;"|8style="background: #ffcccc;"|8style="background: #ffcccc;"|8style="background: #ffcccc;"|9style="background: #ffcccc;"|9style="background: #ffcccc;"|11style="background: #ffcccc;"|13

Finals

The elimination semi-final between Newtown and Manly-Warringah will always be remembered for the notorious all-in brawl, with the main combatants Newtown's Steve Bowden and Manly hardman Mark Broadhurst. Bowden was marched for the incident and was unable to take part in the preliminary final against Eastern Suburbs or the grand final against Parramatta.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mzH1BQ2P-E 1981 NSWRFL Semi-final – Manly vs Newtown fight]

border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center;" cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%
bgcolor=#C1D8FF

!rowspan=2 width=21%|Home

!rowspan=2 width=6%|Score

!rowspan=2 width=21%|Away

!colspan=6|Match information

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

!width=17%|Date and time

!width=17%|Venue

!width=11%|Referee

!width=7%|Crowd

bgcolor="#D0E7FF"

| colspan=7 | Qualifying Finals

bgcolor=#F5FAFF

|align=left | 23x23px Newtown

|8–10

|align=left | 23x23px Parramatta

|5 September 1981

|Sydney Cricket Ground

|John Gocher

|17,265

bgcolor=#F5FAFF

|align=left | 23x23px Cronulla-Sutherland

|11–14

|align=left | 23x23px Manly-Warringah

|6 September 1981

|Sydney Cricket Ground

|Greg Hartley

|21,635

bgcolor="#D0E7FF"

| colspan=7 | Semi-finals

bgcolor=#F5FAFF

|align=left | 23x23px Eastern Suburbs

|8–12

|align=left | 23x23px Parramatta

|12 September 1981

|Sydney Cricket Ground

|Greg Hartley

|27,600

bgcolor=#F5FAFF

|align=left | 23x23px Newtown

|20–15

|align=left | 23x23px Manly-Warringah

|13 September 1981

|Sydney Cricket Ground

|John Gocher

|22,440

bgcolor="#D0E7FF"

| colspan=7 | Preliminary final

bgcolor=#F5FAFF

|align=left | 23x23px Eastern Suburbs

|5–15

|align=left | 23x23px Newtown

|19 September 1981

|Sydney Cricket Ground

|Greg Hartley

|25,243

=Chart=

{{5McIntyre

| team-width=150

| RD1= Qualifying final

| RD2= Major semi-final

| RD4= Grand final

| RD1b=Elimination final

| RD2b=Minor semi-final

| RD3b=Preliminary final

| RD1-seed1=2

| RD1-team1={{leagueicon|Newtown|16}} Newtown

| RD1-score1=8

| RD1-seed2=3

| RD1-team2={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta

| RD1-score2=10

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3={{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Cronulla-Sutherland

| RD1-score3=11

| RD1-seed4=5

| RD1-team4={{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly

| RD1-score4=14

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Eastern Suburbs

| RD2-score1=8

| RD2-seed2=

| RD2-team2={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta

| RD2-score2=12

| RD2-seed3=

| RD2-team3={{leagueicon|Newtown|16}} Newtown

| RD2-score3=20

| RD2-seed4=

| RD2-team4={{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly

| RD2-score4=15

| RD3-seed1=

| RD3-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Eastern Suburbs

| RD3-score1=5

| RD3-seed2=

| RD3-team2={{leagueicon|Newtown|16}} Newtown

| RD3-score2=15

| RD4-seed1=

| RD4-team1={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta

| RD4-score1=20

| RD4-seed2=

| RD4-team2={{leagueicon|Newtown|16}} Newtown

| RD4-score2=11

}}

=Grand final=

align="right" class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin-left:1em"
bgcolor="#FF0033"

! style="width:140px; border:3px solid blue; background: gold; color: blue"|Parramatta

! style="width:40px; text-align:center; background:#eee; color:black;"|Position

! style="width:140px; border:3px solid blue; background: blue; color: white"|Newtown

# Steve McKenzie

| FB

# Phil Sigsworth
2. Graeme AtkinsWG2. John Ferguson
3. Mick CroninCE3. Mick Ryan
4. Steve EllaCE4. Brian Hetherington
5. Eric GrotheWG5. Ray Blacklock
6. Brett KennyFE6. Paul Morris
7. Peter SterlingHB7. Tommy Raudonikis (c)
13. Bob O'ReillyPR13. Craig Ellis
12. Steve Edge (c)HK12. Barry Jensen
11. Ron HilditchPR11. Steve Blyth
10. Kevin StevensSR10. Phil Gould
9. John MuggletonSR9. Mick Pitman
8. Ray PriceLK8. Graeme O'Grady
14. Steve SharpReserve14. Ken Wilson
18. Paul TaylorReserve15. Jim Walters
Reserve20. Shane McKellar
Reserve26. Geoff Bugden
Jack GibsonCoachWarren Ryan

Newtown had reached their first grand final in twenty-six years. Parramatta led 7–6 at half-time, but the Jets looked set to spring a major upset when tough half back Tommy Raudonikis crashed over to score early in the second-half. Then the Eels' brilliant backline exploded into action. The combination of Brett Kenny, Mick Cronin, Peter Sterling, Eric Grothe and Steve Ella dominated and would go on to feature in five grand finals and four premierships by the end of 1986.

Steve Edge became the first player to captain two different sides to premiership victory having captained St. George to a win over the Eels in season 1977.

Master coach Jack Gibson had just six words for a packed Parramatta Leagues Club auditorium, who had just witnessed the Eels' first ever premiership since their 1947 entry to the competition. "Ding, dong, the witch is dead," he said before the thunderous chants of the success-starved blue and gold army of fans.

=Match details=

{{rugbyleaguebox

|bg = #f1f5fc

|date = 27 September 1981

|time =

|team1 = Newtown Jets {{leagueicon|Newtown|16}}

|score = 11 – 20

|report = 1st: 6 - 7
2nd: 5 - 13
[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nswrfl-1981/grand-final/parramatta-vs-newtown/summary.html Report]

|team2 = {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels

|points1 = Tries:
Graeme O'Grady 1
Brian Hetherington 1
Tommy Raudonikis 1
Goals:
Paul Morris 1/3

|points2 = Tries:
Brett Kenny 2
Graeme Atkins 1
Steve Ella 1
Goals:
Mick Cronin 4/6

|stadium = Sydney Cricket Ground

|referee = Greg Hartley

|attendance = 57,333

|manofmatch = Bob O'Reilly{{efn|Awarded retrospectively in 2008.}}

}}

==Cumberland Oval==

In the resultant celebrations at Parramatta with a large group of supporters having gathered at the Eels homeground of Cumberland Oval, subsequently lit a fire that burned the grandstand to the ground. In late 1984 a construction contract was signed by the NSW Government, with the new Parramatta Stadium being opened on 5 March 1986 by Queen Elizabeth II. Parramatta Stadium itself was knocked down along with the adjacent public pools, in 2017. The new stadium, the Western Sydney Stadium was opened on 14 April 2019.

Player statistics

The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 22.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Top 5 point scorers

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
width=50 |Points

!width=200 |Player

!width=30 |Tries

!width=30 |Goals

!width=30 |Field Goals

183

|{{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Steve Rogers

|align=center|13

|align=center|72

|align=center|0

183

|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Steve Gearin

|align=center|13

|align=center|72

|align=center|0

164

|{{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Mick Cronin

|align=center|6

|align=center|73

|align=center|0

142

|{{leagueicon|South Sydney}} Mark Ross

|align=center|8

|align=center|59

|align=center|0

138

|{{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Ron Giteau

|align=center|5

|align=center|61

|align=center|1

Top 5 try scorers

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
width=50 |Tries

!width=200 |Player

15

|{{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Terry Fahey

13

|{{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Steve Ella

13

|{{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Steve Rogers

13

|{{leagueicon|Manly}} John Gibbs

13

|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Steve Gearin

{{col-2}}

Top 5 goal scorers

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
width=50 |Goals

!width=200 |Player

73

|{{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Mick Cronin

72

|{{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Steve Rogers

72

|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Steve Gearin

61

|{{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Ron Giteau

59

|{{leagueicon|South Sydney}} Mark Ross

{{col-end}}

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.afltables.com/rl/seas/1981.html Rugby League Tables – Season 1981]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511223621/http://www.eraofthebiff.com/mm24.html 1981 Grand final at eraofthebiff.com]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080724073940/http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/The-Club/Tradition/Results---1981-1990.html Results:1981-90 at rabbitohs.com.au]
  • [http://www.rleague.com//db/year/1953/j_j_giltinan_shield/index.php/db/year/1981/j_j_giltinan_shield_and_wd_ho_wills_cup/index.php 1981 J J Giltinan Shield and WD & HO Wills Cup at rleague.com]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080820171953/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/competitions/NSWRL_1981.html NSWRFL season 1981 at rugbyleagueproject.com]

{{Parramatta Eels}}

{{Parramatta Eels squad 1981 NSWRFL premiership}}

{{National Rugby League seasons}}

Category:New South Wales Rugby League premiership

NSWRFL season