NRL 2020: The numbers that mattered

100-1: The numbers that mattered in season 2020

Author: Alicia Newton NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 19 Dec 2020, 04:35 PM

The odds for the 2020 NRL season was about 100-1 at one stage when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the competition to shut down in March.

But the Telstra Premiership managed to get back up and running by May 28 and by the end of the year, premiers were crowned in the men's and women's competition while the Ampol State of Origin series also got off the ground with Queensland completing a quinella of trophies.

From 1-100, here are the numbers that made up a season that will never be forgotten for many reasons.

The numbers of 2020

1

The return of one referee in May.

2

State of Origin shields won by Queensland in 2020 with the men securing a 2-1 series win and the women clinching their first official title over NSW in November.

3

Number of games the Broncos won in 2020, delivering them the club’s first-ever wooden spoon.

4

Tries scored by Panthers rookie Charlie Staines on NRL debut against Cronulla in round nine - a feat only six other players have achieved in the game's 112-year history.

6

The Clive Churchill Medal was awarded to a Melbourne Storm player for the sixth time in club history after Ryan Papenhuyzen claimed the award.

7

The number of days between each State of Origin game, played in a condensed series in the month of November.

8

The number of club jerseys in Blake Green's wardrobe after the veteran’s mid-season switch to Newcastle. This includes stints at Hull KR and Wigan in the English Super League.

9

The number of times a team was kept scoreless in 2020.

10

The number of successful captain's challenges the Roosters gained, the most of any team in the competition.

11

Tries scored by NSW during their State of Origin series loss to Queensland, who scored eight tries across the series.

Addo-Carr secures his double from Walker kick

12

Appearances by Broncos captain and women’s Dally M medal winner Ali Brigginshaw in the NRLW over the past three years, the most of any other player in the competition.

13

The number of failed in-goal escapes by the Brisbane Broncos, the most of any team in the competition.

14

Try assists for Knights star Kalyn Ponga - his best efforts in a season since joining the club in 2018.

15

One-on-one steals made by notorious 'pickpockets' the Canberra Raiders in 2020, the most in the competition for a third consecutive season.

16

Tries scored by Sharks winger Sione Katoa, which included three doubles and a hat-trick in 19 appearances.

18

The debut age of rising Cowboys sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who set up two tries against the Warriors in round five before finishing the season with 14 first-grade appearances.

19

The number State of Origin debutants used across the series with Queensland blooding 14 and NSW 5.

20

The number of regular rounds played in the NRL season, five fewer than originally scheduled.

21

Line break assists produced by Roosters star James Tedesco, to lead the league in this stat.

23

The number of tries scored this season by Ken Irvine Medal winner Alex Johnston.

24

Points scored by Sharks forward Braden Hamlin-Uele, the king of the front-rowers' club, with six tries in 2020.

25

The average age of competition and the 478 players who took the field in 2020, on par with 2019 figures.

26

The number of Dally M points Jack Wighton accumulated to win the prestigious medal, edging Clint Gutherson and Nathan Cleary.

Jack Wighton wins 2020 Dally M Medal

27

Forced goal line dropouts by Nathan Cleary in 2020, the most of any player in the competition.

28

The date the NRL Telstra Premiership resumed - May 28.

29

Goals missed by the Wests Tigers in 2020, the most in the competition.

30

Try-saving tackles made by the Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson and Philip Sami finished in the top three behind Ryan Papenhuyzen (seven) with six each.

31

The average amount of points conceded by the Broncos per game during their demoralising 2020 campaign.

32

Players used by the Storm, Warriors, Broncos and Raiders – the most across the season.

33

Percentage of minutes given to Broncos players 21 years and under - the most of any other team in the competition.

34

Matches played by John Bateman during his eventful two-season stint with Canberra before returning to the Super League in 2021.

35

Average missed tackle count for the Cronulla Sharks per game, the most in the NRL.

36

Tackles made by NSW captain Kezie Apps, the most in the women’s State of Origin clash in November.

37

The age of Cameron Smith, who defied Father Time to lead Melbourne to a premiership win.

39

The age of retiring Kiwi Ferns legend Honey Hireme-Smiler, who has hung up the boots after an 18-year international career that included four World Cups.

40

Years of State of Origin - Queensland lead with series wins over NSW, 21-15.

41

The average number of points scored per game (41.8) across the 20 rounds played.

42

The number of tries scored in the third season of the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership, an increase from the previous two years.

43

Tackle average for Sea Eagles forward Jake Trbojevic per game in another season built on hard work.

44

The age of NSW women’s dummy-half Kylie Hilder, with the Blues assistant coach a late call-up to the side after the withdrawal of Keeley Davis.

45

Winning percentage for Titans coach Justin Holbrook in his maiden season in charge, with the side winning six of their last eight games.

46

Total points scored between the Storm and Panthers in the Telstra Premiership grand final.

48

Tries scored by Gerard Beale in his 194-game career across four clubs which ended this year.

49

Thousand, one hundred and 55 people attended the final game of the year - the Ampol State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium - which was the highest crowd in the world since the pandemic was confirmed by health authorities.

50

Career wins notched by Raiders winger Nick Cotric before switching to the Bulldogs in 2021.

51

Tests on the resume of Kiwi prop Adam Blair, who has called it a day after a fine career with the Storm, Wests Tigers, Broncos and Warriors.

52

One-on-one tackles made by Dragons centre Zac Lomax, the most in the competition.

53

Number of minutes played by Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris in the grand final, churning through 18 runs for 137m and 33 tackles as he did his best to quell the Storm.

55

Possession rate recorded by the Penrith Panthers, the best in the competition.

56

Total players sent to the sin bin in 2020 - the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors and Wests Tigers having a competition-high six players each.

57

Average Fantasy points per game for Eels playmaker Mitch Moses in 2020, placing him 18th overall on a list topped by Panther Nathan Cleary with 72.6.

58

Repeat sets created by the Panthers, well clear of the next best St George Illawarra (43) for the season.

59

The winning-percentage of retired Roosters stalwart Mitchell Aubusson after his 306th and final appearance for the club.

60

The number of points the Rabbitohs put on the Roosters in round 20, the biggest-ever win over their arch-rivals.

61

Tackle breaks by Dane Gagai in his 19 games for Souths, placing him 24th on a list topped by James Tedesco with 139. Throw Gagai a Maroons jersey and he busts 12 tackles in three games to be one of Queensland’s best.

Bellamy says 2020 title most likely his best

62

Storm mentor Craig Bellamy’s age. The only other coach in his 60s to win a premiership in the past 50 years was the ‘Supercoach’ Wayne Bennett, who turned 60 at the start of 2010, the year he led the Dragons to glory.

63

Runs by NSW winger Daniel Tupou during the State of Origin series.

64

Points scored by Josh Addo-Carr in 2020, courtesy of 16 tries.

65

The goal-kicking percentage the Titans recorded in 2020, the worst in the NRL.

67

Post-contact metres per game by Panthers powerhouse James Fisher-Harris, to be the leader in this category.

68

The total number of NRL debutants in 2020 - the Raiders blooding the most with eight rookies.

69

Craig Bellamy’s winning percentage as Storm coach after the club’s premiership win.

70

The age of mastercoach Wayne Bennett, who returned to the representative coaching ranks with Queensland for the first time in 17 years to guide the state to an unlikely 2-1 series win.

71

Tackles made on NRL debut by Knights hooker Chris Randall in the 14-14 draw with Penrith in round 3 - the most tackles ever by a debutant.

72

Number of players in the history of the game who have scored 100 career tries, with Rabbitoh Alex Johnston and Rooster Daniel Tupou joining the exclusive club in 2020.

73

Average kick-return metres per game by Eels skipper Clint Gutherson, who was ranked No.1 in the league with 1618 for the season.

74

Career tries scored by Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma after a career-best 17 tries in 2020. Third overall in the club’s history, Nofoaluma is on track to go past Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence (both 84) in 2021.

75

Tackles made by inspirational Dragons captain Cameron McInnes in round three against the Warriors, the most in a game for the season.

77

Missed tackles by Knights veteran Mitchell Pearce, the most of any player in 2020.

78

The number of charge downs by NRL teams in 2020 - Wests Tigers and Cronulla led the way with nine apiece.

79

Tries scored by Cowboys forward Gavin Cooper, who hung up the boots at the end of the season after 15 years and 323 games.

80

Points scored between the Panthers and Sharks in round nine, the highest amount in a game for the season. The Panthers won 56-24.

81

The total number of break causes between Eels pair Waqa Blake (46) and Blake Ferguson (35) on the right defensive edge, the most of any players in the competition.

82

The set completion percentage of Penrith - the best in the competition.

84

Tries scored by Chris Lawrence, who has retired after 15 seasons at Wests Tigers.

85

Goal-kicking strike rate by Adam Reynolds, the highest among regular kickers in the NRL.

86

Four-pointers notched up by Suliasi Vunivalu in just five seasons at the Storm before switching to rugby union.

87

Tries scored by Darius Boyd over his 15-year career which ended in round 20. That tally was made up of 57 tries for Brisbane, 17 for Newcastle and 13 for the Dragons.

88

Post-contact metres made on average each game by Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo.

89

Number of players placed on report from rounds 1-20, the Raiders (10), Dragons (9) and Bulldogs (9) finished in the top three.

90

Points scored by the Broncos' women's side on their way to a third consecutive NRLW title.

91

Ruck infringements conceded by the Canberra Raiders, the most of any side in the competition.

93

Average metres gained from offloads for the Parramatta Eels per game.

94

Tries scored by the Roosters in the regular season, the most in the NRL.

95

Metres covered by Titans fullback AJ Brimson as he scored one of the tries of the year against the Knights in round 20, leaving Kalyn Ponga in his wake and staking an undeniable claim for Origin selection.

Brimson gives Ponga a taste of his own medicine

96

Tackle efficiency percentage from retiring Dragons forward James Graham, who notched up a competition-high 96.3% success rate from 183 tackle attempts before returning to the Super League.