2009 NRL season

{{Short description|102nd season of National Rugby League}} {{Infobox rugby league season | year = 2009 | competition = National Rugby League | image = | imagesize = 125px | caption = | teams = 16 | premiers = <s>{{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm</s><ref>Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read (23 April 2010) [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/shocking-end-to-the-melbourne-storm-era/story-e6frg7mf-1225857195771 Shocking end to the Melbourne Storm era] ''The Australian''</ref> | minor premiers = {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|size=16}} St. George Illawarra | mpcount = 1st | matches = 201 | points = 8315 | avg_attendance = 16,980 | attendance = 3,412,872 | dally m medalist = {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} Jarryd Hayne | | top point scorer = {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} Hazem El Masri (248) | top try scorer = {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} Brett Morris (25) | MVP = {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Jarryd Hayne | MVP_link = Dally M Medal | wooden_spoon = Sydney Roosters | wooden_spoon_count = 5th | prevseason_year = 2008 | nextseason_year = 2010 }}

The '''2009 NRL season''' was the 102nd season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the twelfth run by the National Rugby League. For the third consecutive year, sixteen teams competed for the '''2009 Telstra Premiership''' title. The season commenced with the first match played on 13 March and ended with the grand final, played on 4 October. The Grand Final was won by the Melbourne Storm in their fourth consecutive grand final appearance. However, they were stripped of their Premiership on 22 April 2010 after they were found to be guilty of breaching the league's salary cap.<ref name="storm 2010 cap breach nrl">{{cite web | url=http://www.nrl.com/news/news/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/58359/melbourne-storm-breach-nrl-salary-cap/default.aspx | title=Melbourne Storm breach NRL Salary Cap | date=22 April 2010 | access-date=22 April 2010 | publisher=National Rugby League | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425022320/http://www.nrl.com/news/news/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/58359/melbourne-storm-breach-nrl-salary-cap/default.aspx | archive-date=25 April 2010 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="storm 2010 cap breach australian">{{cite news | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/melbourne-storm-stripped-of-two-rugby-league-titles-over-salary-cap-fraud/story-e6frg7mf-1225857048724 | title=Melbourne Storm stripped of two rugby league titles over salary cap fraud | newspaper=The Australian | date=22 April 2010 | access-date=22 April 2010 | last=McDonald | first=Margie }}</ref>

The second season of the National Youth Competition also commenced in line with the Telstra Premiership.

==Season summary== {{See also|2009 NRL season results}} This season the NRL introduced a second on-field referee.<ref>{{cite news|first=Christian|last=Nicolussi|publisher=Fox Sports News (Australia)|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24978466-23214,00.html|title=NRL coaches briefed on dual refereee system, content with concept|date=29 January 2009|access-date=16 July 2009}}</ref> Previously when the ball changed possession the lone on-field referee would have to change his position to stay with the defending team. He also could only observe the ruck from one direction. The two-referee system saves the referees some running back and forth to get into position as possession changes and also improves watchfulness over the ruck.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles began their premiership title defense in horrific fashion, losing their first four games, before a stunning revival led to them losing only four of their final 16 regular season games. The St. George Illawarra Dragons, under new coach Wayne Bennett finished the regular season with their first minor premiership title as a joint venture club. However, the Dragons then became the first minor premiers since the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1993 to be eliminated from the final series in consecutive losses.

For the first time since the McIntyre final eight system was introduced, a game was played twice in a row in the same stadium. This happened when St. George Illawarra and Parramatta Eels played each other in round 26 (the final regular season round) and again in the first week of finals, both at WIN Jubilee Oval at Kogarah. The first game saw St. George Illawarra come away with a 37–0 win in front of 17,974, while the next weeks Qualifying final saw Parramatta reverse the result with a 25–12 win in front of 18,174.

Parramatta went on to become the first side since the McIntyre final eight system was introduced (in 1999) to make the grand final from eighth position. Along the way, they defeated the top three teams – the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury – in their three finals series matches, to make it to their first Grand Final since 2001. Their Grand Final opponents, the Melbourne Storm, were playing in their fourth straight Grand Final and were looking for their third premiership having previously won in 1999 and 2007.

In 2009, NRL games on New Zealand's Sky network drew average audiences of 46,221.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kilgallon|first1=Steve|title=Kiwi TV viewers go cold on rugby codes|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/kiwi-tv-viewers-go-cold-on-rugby-codes-20110409-1d8s3.html|access-date=18 August 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=10 April 2011}}</ref>

===Records set in 2009=== * Canterbury winger Hazem El Masri broke the all-time highest points record of 2,176 previously set by former Newcastle Knights halfback Andrew Johns when he scored 14 points against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Round 1. * St George Illawarra Dragons winger Brett Morris and his twin, Canterbury centre Josh Morris, set the record for the most tries scored by brothers in a regular season (42). The pair record a further five tries between them in the finals series, with Brett scoring 25 to Josh's 22. * The Brisbane Broncos suffered their worst defeat in their 22-year history losing 56–0 to the Canberra Raiders in round 21 at Canberra Stadium.<ref>{{cite news|last=Magnay|first=Jaquelin|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/dragons-finish-on-top-with-a-gallop/2009/09/05/1252001252030.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Dragons finish on top with a gallop|date=5 September 2009|access-date=7 September 2009}}</ref> * A record finals attendance (excluding grand finals) was set when Parramatta and Canterbury preliminary final drew a crowd of 74,549 at ANZ Stadium. With the exception of all Grand Finals played at ANZ since 1999, and the 1965 Grand Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, this remains the highest attendance for any game since the premiership began in 1908. * Cameron Smith became the Melbourne Storm's leading point scorer, overtaking now-Sea Eagles half Matt Orford in the preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos. * The Melbourne Storm became the first club since the Parramatta sides of the 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 seasons to make four consecutive grand finals. * The Parramatta Eels were the first team ever under the McIntyre system to finish 8th in the regular season and make it to the grand final.

===Advertising=== Keen to speak to its grass roots following in light of the AFL's aggressive expansion in rugby league's suburban heartland the NRL and its agency MJW Hakuhodo created a TVC which tells the story of junior rugby league players enjoying the game and perhaps becoming stars of the future. The commercial featured two young boys playing league in a suburban park. As they contest the game, they morph into stars of the League as a packed stadium emerges around them. Seven-year-old Penrith junior Cameron Lloyd and 14-year-old La Perouse junior Alex Johnston play the main roles in the campaign with Johnson morphing into Melbourne's Greg Inglis scoring a try in corner in a big match. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090305204731/http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=763664 Announcing the 2009 launch TVC]

The ad's strapline was "Feel It" and the soundtrack a re-worked version of 2008 Australian Idol winner Wes Carr's "Feels Like Whoa."

==Teams== The clubs in the League for 2009 remained unchanged for the third consecutive year, with sixteen participating in the regular season: ten from New South Wales, three from Queensland and one from each of Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand. Of the ten from New South Wales, eight were from Sydney's metropolitan area (with St. George Illawarra being a Sydney and Wollongong joint venture). Just two foundation clubs from the 1908 New South Wales Rugby Football League season played in this competition: the Roosters and the Rabbitohs.

{| class="toccolours" style="margin:auto; text-valign:center;" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="2" |- !width=175| !width=175| !width=175| !width=175| |- | style="text-align:center;"|'''Brisbane Broncos''' 22nd season Ground: Suncorp Stadium Coach: Ivan Henjak Captain: Darren Lockyer | style="text-align:center;"|'''Bulldogs ''' 75th season Ground: ANZ Stadium Coach: Kevin Moore Captain: Andrew Ryan | style="text-align:center;"|'''Canberra Raiders''' 28th season Ground: Canberra Stadium Coach: David Furner Captain: Alan Tongue | style="text-align:center;"|'''Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks''' 43rd season Ground: Toyota Stadium Coach: Ricky Stuart Captain: Paul Gallen → Trent Barrett |- | style="text-align:center;"|'''Gold Coast Titans''' 3rd season Ground: Skilled Park Coach: John Cartwright Captain: Scott Prince & Luke Bailey | style="text-align:center;"|'''Manly Warringah Sea Eagles''' 60th season Ground: Brookvale Oval Coach: Des Hasler Captain: Matt Orford | style="text-align:center;"|'''Melbourne Storm''' 12th season Ground Olympic Park Stadium Coach: Craig Bellamy Captain: Cameron Smith | style="text-align:center;"|'''New Zealand Warriors''' 15th season Ground: Mt. Smart Stadium Coach: Ivan Cleary Captain: Steve Price |- | style="text-align:center;"|'''Newcastle Knights''' 22nd season Ground: EnergyAustralia Stadium Coach: Brian Smith → Rick Stone Captain: Kurt Gidley | style="text-align:center;"|'''North Queensland Cowboys''' 15th season Ground: Dairy Farmers Stadium Coach: Neil Henry Captain: Johnathan Thurston | style="text-align:center;"|'''Parramatta Eels''' 63rd season Ground: Parramatta Stadium Coach: Daniel Anderson Captain: Nathan Cayless | style="text-align:center;"|'''Penrith Panthers''' 43rd season Ground: CUA Stadium Coach: Matthew Elliott Captain: Petero Civoniceva |- | style="text-align:center;"|'''South Sydney Rabbitohs''' 100th season Ground: ANZ Stadium Coach: Jason Taylor Captain: Roy Asotasi | style="text-align:center;"|'''St. George Illawarra Dragons''' 11th season Ground: WIN Jubilee Oval & WIN Stadium Coach: Wayne Bennett Captain: Ben Hornby | style="text-align:center;"|'''Sydney Roosters''' 102nd season Ground: Sydney Football Stadium Coach: Brad Fittler Captain: Braith Anasta | style="text-align:center;"|'''Wests Tigers''' 10th season Grounds: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt Oval Coach: Tim Sheens Captain: Robbie Farah |}

==Ladder== {{Nrl2009ladder}}

==Finals series== {{See also|2009 NRL season results}} The NRL finals series adopted the McIntyre final eight system. Four teams made a return to the 2009 finals from 2008, grand finalists Melbourne Storm, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles along with the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons. Both the Bulldogs and Parramatta Eels made a return after being absent in 2008. The Newcastle Knights made the finals for the first time since 2006 and their first since the departure of club legend Andrew Johns. The Gold Coast Titans entered their maiden finals series. It was also the first finals series since 2002 that no team was held scoreless.

{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:100%;" |- style="background:#c1d8ff;" ! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Home ! rowspan="2" style="width:6%;"|Score ! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Away !colspan=6|Match Information |- style="background:#efefef;" !width=17%|Date and Time !width=17%|Venue !width=11%|Referees !width=7%|Crowd |- style="background:#d0e7ff;" | colspan=7 | '''QUALIFYING FINALS''' |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |40 – 12 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |11 September, 7:45pm |Etihad Stadium |Gavin Badger Shayne Hayne |21,155 |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans |32 – 40 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |12 September, 6:30pm |Skilled Park |Ben Cummins Ashley Klein |27,227 |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |26 – 12 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights |12 September, 8:30pm |ANZ Stadium |Tony Archer Jason Robinson |21,369 |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |12 – 25 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels |13 September, 4:00pm |WIN Jubilee Oval |Jarred Maxwell Matt Cecchin |18,174 |- style="background:#d0e7ff;" | colspan=7 | '''SEMI FINALS''' |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels |27 – 2 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans |18 September, 7:45pm |Sydney Football Stadium |Shayne Hayne Jared Maxwell |28,524 |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |24 – 10 |align=left | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |19 September, 7:45pm |Suncorp Stadium |Tony Archer Ben Cummins |50,225 |- style="background:#d0e7ff;" | colspan=7 | '''PRELIMINARY FINALS''' |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |12 – 22 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels |25 September, 7:45pm |ANZ Stadium |Tony Archer Ben Cummins |74,549 |- style="background:#f5faff;" |align=left | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |40 – 10 |align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |26 September, 7:45pm |Etihad Stadium |Shayne Hayne Jared Maxwell |27,687 |}

{{8McIntyre

| RD1-team1={{leagueicon|St. George|16}} St. George Illawarra | RD1-score1=12 | RD1-team8={{leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly | RD1-score8=12

| RD1-team2={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} '''Parramatta''' | RD1-score2='''25''' | RD1-team7={{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} '''Melbourne''' | RD1-score7='''40'''

| RD1-team3={{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} '''Bulldogs''' | RD1-score3='''26''' | RD1-team6={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} '''Brisbane''' | RD1-score6='''40'''

| RD1-team4={{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} Newcastle | RD1-score4=12 | RD1-team5={{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|16}} Gold Coast | RD1-score5=32

| RD2-team1={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} '''Parramatta''' | RD2-score1='''27''' | RD2-team2={{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|16}} Gold Coast | RD2-score2=2

| RD2-team3={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} '''Brisbane''' | RD2-score3='''24''' | RD2-team4={{leagueicon|St. George|16}} St. George Illawarra | RD2-score4=10

| RD3-team1={{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Bulldogs | RD3-score1=12 | RD3-team2={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} '''Parramatta''' | RD3-score2='''22''' | RD3-team3={{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} '''Melbourne''' | RD3-score3='''40''' | RD3-team4={{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Brisbane | RD3-score4=10

| RD4-team1={{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta | RD4-score1=16 | RD4-team2={{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} '''Melbourne''' | RD4-score2='''23''' }}

==Grand final== {{Main|2009 NRL Grand Final}} {{rugbyleaguebox |date = Sunday, 4 October |time = 17:00 |team1 = Melbourne Storm |score = 23 – 16 |report = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2009/grand-final/melbourne-vs-parramatta/summary.html Report] |team2 = Parramatta Eels |points1 = '''Tries:''' Adam Blair Ryan Hoffman Greg Inglis Billy Slater '''Goals:''' Cameron Smith (3/4) '''Field goals:''' Greg Inglis (1/1) |points2 = '''Tries:''' Eric Grothe, Jr. Fuifui Moimoi Joel Reddy '''Goals:''' Luke Burt (2/3) |stadium = ANZ Stadium, Sydney |attendance = 82,538 |referee = Tony Archer & Shayne Hayne |manofmatch = Billy Slater }}

==Club and Player records== The following figures were collected from the completion of round 26 of the regular season and therefore do not represent any figures associated with the finals series or any representative matches for this year.

'''Top 5 point scorers''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Pts !width=200 |Player !width=30 |Try !width=30 |Gls !width=30 |FG |- !234 |{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Hazem El Masri |align=center|14 |align=center|89 |align=center|0 |- !228 |{{leagueicon|St. George}} Jamie Soward |align=center|12 |align=center|87 |align=center|6 |- !202 |{{leagueicon|North Queensland}} Johnathan Thurston |align=center|11 |align=center|79 |align=center|0 |- !180 |{{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Luke Burt |align=center|13 |align=center|63 |align=center|2 |- !172 |{{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Scott Prince |align=center|7 |align=center|72 |align=center|0 |}

'''Top 5 try scorers''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Try !width=200 |Player |- !22 |{{leagueicon|St. George}} Brett Morris |- !21 |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Taniela Tuiaki |- !20 |{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Josh Morris |- !19 |{{leagueicon|South Sydney}} Nathan Merritt |- !19 |{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Bryson Goodwin |}

'''Most points in a match by an individual''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Pts !width=200 |Player !width=30 |Try !width=30 |Gls !width=30 |FG !width=175 |Opponent !width=50 |Score !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !24 |{{leagueicon|Parramatta Eels}} Luke Burt |align=center|2 |align=center|8/8 |align=center|0 |Newcastle Knights |align=center|40–8 |Parramatta Stadium |Round 22 |- !24 |{{leagueicon|Parramatta Eels}} Luke Burt |align=center|2 |align=center|8/8 |align=center|0 |Penrith Panthers |align=center|48–6 |Parramatta Stadium |Round 25 |- !24 |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Benji Marshall |align=center|2 |align=center|8/10 |align=center|0 |Cronulla Sharks |align=center|56–10 |Toyota Stadium |Round 23 |- !24 |{{leagueicon|Melbourne Storm}} Joe Tomane |align=center|3 |align=center|6/9 |align=center|0 |Brisbane Broncos |align=center|48–4 |Olympic Park Stadium |Round 13 |}

'''Most tries in a match by an individual''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Tries !width=200 |Player !width=175 |Opponent !width=50 |Score !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !4 |{{leagueicon| Brisbane Broncos}} Israel Folau |Gold Coast Titans |align=center|32–18 |Suncorp Stadium |Round 10 |- !4 |{{leagueicon|Canberra Raiders}} Phil Graham |Brisbane Broncos |align=center|56–0 |Canberra Stadium |Round 21 |- !4 |{{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors old}} Joel Moon |Penrith Panthers |align=center|32–32 |CUA Stadium |Round 21 |- !4 |{{leagueicon|St George Illawarra Dragons}} Brett Morris |North Queensland |align=center|20–24 |Dairy Farmers Stadium |Round 9 |- !4 |{{leagueicon|Melbourne Storm}} Billy Slater |Manly Sea Eagles |align=center|40–12 |Etihad Stadium |Qualifying Final |}

'''Largest winning margin''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Score !width=200 |Victor !width=175 |Opponent !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !56 – 0 (56 pts) |{{leagueicon|Canberra Raiders}} Canberra Raiders |Brisbane Broncos |Canberra Stadium |Round 21 |- !56 – 10 (46 pts) |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |Cronulla Sharks |Toyota Stadium |Round 23 |- !48 – 4 (44 pts) |{{leagueicon|Melbourne Storm}} Melbourne Storm |Brisbane Broncos |Olympic Park |Round 13 |}

'''Most points in a match''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Points !width=200 |Victor !width=175 |Opponent !width=50 |Score !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !82 |{{leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos}} Brisbane Broncos |Penrith Panthers |align=center|58–24 |Suncorp Stadium |Round 23 |- !74 |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |South Sydney Rabbitohs |align=center|54–20 |ANZ Stadium |Round 17 |- !72 |23px Penrith Panthers |Parramatta Eels |align=center|38–34 |CUA Stadium |Round 17 |}

'''Fewest points in a match''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Points !width=200 |Victor !width=175 |Opponent !width=50 |Score !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !13 |{{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |Newcastle Knights |align=center|13–0 |Mt Smart Stadium |Round 14 |- !14 |{{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |Wests Tigers |align=center|14–0 |Mt Smart Stadium |Round 12 |- !14 |{{leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos}} Brisbane Broncos |St. George Illawarra Dragons |align=center|12–2 |WIN Stadium |Round 24 |- !16 |{{leagueicon|St. George Illawarra Dragons}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |Cronulla Sharks |align=center|10–6 |WIN Jubilee Oval |Round 3 |}

'''Most points scored in a match by an individual team''' {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !width=50 |Pts !width=200 |Team !width=175 |Opponent !width=50 |Score !width=150 |Venue !width=100 |Round |- !58 |{{leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos}} Brisbane Broncos |Penrith Panthers |align=center|58–24 |Suncorp Stadium |Round 23 |- !56 |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |Cronulla Sharks |align=center|56–10 |Toyota Stadium |Round 23 |- !56 |{{leagueicon|Canberra Raiders}} Canberra Raiders |Brisbane Broncos |align=center|56–0 |Canberra Stadium |Round 21 |- !54 |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |South Sydney Rabbitohs |align=center|54–20 |ANZ Stadium |Round 17 |- !52 |{{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs |Sydney Roosters |align=center|52–12 |Sydney Football Stadium |Round 1 |} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090409132439/http://203.166.101.37/NRL/index.html More NRL statistics]

Jarryd Hayne ran 4,429 metres with the ball in 2009, more than any other player in the competition.<ref>{{cite news|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|title=Gallen set to smash record|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gallen-set-to-smash-record-20120505-1y5lo.html|access-date=7 May 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 May 2012}}</ref>

==Attendance== 2009's regular season attendance figures were the highest recorded in Australian rugby league history, with a total of 3,081,849. This figure bettered the previous record set by the 1995 Winfield Cup's regular season (3,061,338 in a 20 team competition) and also beat the Telstra Premiership's previous best of 3,024,149 set in 2007.<ref name="attendance record">[http://www.nrl.com/nrlhq/nrlhqnews/nrlhqnewsarticle/tabid/10871/newsid/56596/2009-sees-largest-crowd-figures-in-history/default.aspx 2009 sees largest crowd figures in history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917071558/http://www.nrl.com/nrlhq/nrlhqnews/nrlhqnewsarticle/tabid/10871/newsid/56596/2009-sees-largest-crowd-figures-in-history/default.aspx |date=2009-09-17 }}.</ref>

The 2009 season also saw the second highest average crowd figure of a regular season, with a crowd average of 16,051, behind the best of 16,466 set in the 2005 NRL season.

==2009 Transfers==

===Players===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:700px;" |- bgcolor=#bdb76b !Player !2008 Club !2009 Club |- |data-sort-value="Boyd, Darius"| Darius Boyd | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Eastwood, Greg"| Greg Eastwood | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Ennis, Michael"| Michael Ennis | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Hannant, Ben"| Ben Hannant | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Kemp, Denan"| Denan Kemp | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |- |data-sort-value="Moon, Joel"| Joel Moon | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |- |data-sort-value="Perry, Shane"| Shane Perry | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|Catalans}} Super League: Catalans Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Stagg, David"| David Stagg | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Best, Colin"| Colin Best | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs |- |data-sort-value="Chalk, Marshall"| Marshall Chalk | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|Crusaders}} Super League: Celtic Crusaders |- |data-sort-value="Costigan, Neville"| Neville Costigan | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Goodwin, Bronx"| Bronx Goodwin | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Weyman, Michael"| Michael Weyman | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Zillman, William"| William Zillman | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans |- |data-sort-value="Emelio, Andrew"| Andrew Emelio | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 23px Penrith Panthers |- |data-sort-value="Hughes, Corey"| Corey Hughes | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Kouparitsas, Nick"| Nick Kouparitsas | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters |- |data-sort-value="Maitua, Reni"| Reni Maitua | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Tonga, Willie"| Willie Tonga | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Williams, Sonny Bill"| Sonny Bill Williams | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | RC Toulonnais (French rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Youngquest, Nick"| Nick Youngquest | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | {{leagueicon|Gateshead}} Gateshead Thunder |- |data-sort-value="Anderson, Fraser"| Fraser Anderson | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Kobelco Steelers (Japanese rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Bird, Greg"| Greg Bird | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | {{leagueicon|Catalans}} Super League: Catalans Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Cooper, Dustin"| Dustin Cooper | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Toyota Verblitz (Japanese rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="De Gois, Isaac"| Isaac De Gois | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights |- |data-sort-value="Kimmorley, Brett"| Brett Kimmorley | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Kingston, Kevin"| Kevin Kingston | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels |- |data-sort-value="Nutley, Danny"| Danny Nutley | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Peek, Adam"| Adam Peek | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | {{leagueicon|Crusaders}} Super League: Celtic Crusaders |- |data-sort-value="Stephenson, Paul"| Paul Stephenson | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Ipswich Jets (Queensland Cup) |- |data-sort-value="Thompson, Lance"| Lance Thompson | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Amos, Clint"| Clint Amos | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Bowen, Brenton"| Brenton Bowen | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | Tweed Heads Seagulls (Queensland Cup) |- |data-sort-value="Cooper, Gavin"| Gavin Cooper | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | 23px Penrith Panthers |- |data-sort-value="Cross, Matt"| Matthew Cross | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |- |data-sort-value="Donnelly, Ian"| Ian Donnelly | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Hodgson, Michael"| Michael Hodgson | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Petersen, Matt"| Matt Petersen | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Wakefield}} Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |- |data-sort-value="Stosic, James"| James Stosic | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Wakefield}} Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |- |data-sort-value="Swain, Luke"| Luke Swain | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans | {{leagueicon|Salford City}} Super League: Salford City Reds |- |data-sort-value="Afamasaga, Jack"| Jack Afamasaga | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Bell, Steven"| Steven Bell | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | {{leagueicon|Catalans}} Super League: Catalans Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Bradley-Qalilawa, Nick"| Nick Bradley-Qalilawa | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Bryant, Mark"| Mark Bryant | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | {{leagueicon|Crusaders}} Super League: Celtic Crusaders |- |data-sort-value="Menzies, Steve"| Steve Menzies | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | {{leagueicon|Bradford}} Super League: Bradford Bulls |- |data-sort-value="Vaealiki, David"| David Vaealiki | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | SC Albi (French rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Williamson, Luke"| Luke Williamson | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | {{leagueicon|Harlequins}} Super League: Harlequins RL |- |data-sort-value="Crocker, Michael"| Michael Crocker | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs |- |data-sort-value="Folau, Israel"| Israel Folau | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |- |data-sort-value="Geyer, Matt"| Matt Geyer | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Kaufusi, Antonio"| Antonio Kaufusi | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Smith, Jeremy"| Jeremy Smith | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Bailey, Chris"| Chris Bailey | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |- |data-sort-value="Buderus, Danny"| Danny Buderus | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights | {{leagueicon|Leeds}} Super League: Leeds Rhinos |- |data-sort-value="Royal, Jesse"| Jesse Royal | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |- |data-sort-value="White, Matthew"| Matthew White | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans}} Gold Coast Titans |- |data-sort-value="Koopu, Wairangi"| Wairangi Koopu | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |- |data-sort-value="Rovelli, Grant"| Grant Rovelli | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Swann, Logan"| Logan Swann | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Wiki, Ruben"| Ruben Wiki | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Witt, Michael"| Michael Witt | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors | Otago (New Zealand rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Abraham, Daniel"| Daniel Abraham | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | Mackay Cutters (Queensland Cup) |- |data-sort-value="Cashmere, Ray"| Ray Cashmere | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | {{leagueicon|Salford City}} Super League: Salford City Reds |- |data-sort-value="Faiumu, David"| David Faiumu | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} Super League: Huddersfield Giants |- |data-sort-value="Faumuina, Sione"| Sione Faumuina | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | {{leagueicon|Castleford}} Super League: Castleford Tigers |- |data-sort-value="Henry, Mark"| Mark Henry | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | {{leagueicon|Salford City}} Super League: Salford City Reds |- |data-sort-value="Lillyman, Jacob"| Jacob Lillyman | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |- |data-sort-value="Sheppard, Chris"| Chris Sheppard | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | Northern Pride (Queensland Cup) |- |data-sort-value="Smith, Justin"| Justin Smith | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Finch, Brett"| Brett Finch | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |- |data-sort-value="Riddell, Mark"| Mark Riddell | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels | {{leagueicon|Wigan}} Super League: Wigan Warriors |- |data-sort-value="Robinson, Chad"| Chad Robinson | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels | {{leagueicon|Harlequins}} Super League: Harlequins RL |- |data-sort-value="Wagon, Daniel"| Daniel Wagon | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels | {{leagueicon|limoux}} Limoux Grizzlies (Elite One Championship) |- |data-sort-value="O'Halloran, Mark"| Mark O'Halloran | 23px Penrith Panthers | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Priddis, Luke"| Luke Priddis | 23px Penrith Panthers | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Puletua, Tony"| Tony Puletua | 23px Penrith Panthers | {{leagueicon|St. Helens}} Super League: St. Helens |- |data-sort-value="Rodney, Shane"| Shane Rodney | 23px Penrith Panthers | {{leagueicon|Manly}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |- |data-sort-value="Rooney, Luke"| Luke Rooney | 23px Penrith Panthers | RC Toulonnais (French rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Wesser, Rhys"| Rhys Wesser | 23px Penrith Panthers | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs |- |data-sort-value="Gordon, Yileen"| Yileen Gordon | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Hegarty, Shannon"| Shannon Hegarty | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Manuokafoa, Manase"| Manase Manuokafoa | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- |data-sort-value="Vagana, Nigel"| Nigel Vagana | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Widders, Dean"| Dean Widders | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs | {{leagueicon|Castleford}} Super League: Castleford Tigers |- |data-sort-value="Chase, Rangi"| Rangi Chase | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Castleford}} Super League: Castleford Tigers |- |data-sort-value="Gasnier, Mark"| Mark Gasnier | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | Stade Français (French rugby union) |- |data-sort-value="Morris, Josh"| Josh Morris | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |- |data-sort-value="Reynoldson, Kirk"| Kirk Reynoldson | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Rogers, Ben"| Ben Rogers | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights |- |data-sort-value="Ryles, Jason"| Jason Ryles | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Catalans}} Super League: Catalans Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Setu, Lagi"| Lagi Setu | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |- |data-sort-value="Webb, Stuart"| Stuart Webb | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Woolford, Simon"| Simon Woolford | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Grose, Brent"| Brent Grose | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters | Retirement |- |data-sort-value="Roberts, Amos"| Amos Roberts | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters | {{leagueicon|Wigan}} Super League: Wigan Warriors |- |data-sort-value="Shillington, David"| David Shillington | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders |- |data-sort-value="Tupou, Anthony"| Anthony Tupou | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Harrison, Bronson"| Bronson Harrison | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders |- |data-sort-value="Head, Mathew"| Mathew Head | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- |data-sort-value="Hodgson, Brett"| Brett Hodgson | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} Super League: Huddersfield Giants |- |data-sort-value="McDonnell, Shannon"| Shannon McDonnell | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights |- |data-sort-value="O'Hara, Ryan"| Ryan O'Hara | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|Crusaders}} Super League: Celtic Crusaders |- |data-sort-value="Te'o, Ben"| Ben Te'o | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |- |data-sort-value="Gorrell, Aaron"| Aaron Gorrell | {{leagueicon|Catalans}} Super League: Catalans Dragons | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos |- |data-sort-value="Elford, Shane"| Shane Elford | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} Super League: Huddersfield Giants | 23px Penrith Panthers |- |data-sort-value="Skandalis, John"| John Skandalis | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} Super League: Huddersfield Giants | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |- |data-sort-value="Crossman, Garret"| Garret Crossman | {{leagueicon|Hull Kingston Rovers}} Super League: Hull Kingston Rovers | {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} South Sydney Rabbitohs |- |data-sort-value="Ellis, Gareth"| Gareth Ellis | {{leagueicon|Leeds}} Super League: Leeds Rhinos | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} Wests Tigers |- |data-sort-value="Tansey, Jordan"| Jordan Tansey | {{leagueicon|Leeds}} Super League: Leeds Rhinos | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} Sydney Roosters |- |data-sort-value="Barrett, Trent"| Trent Barrett | {{leagueicon|Wigan}} Super League: Wigan Warriors | {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |- |data-sort-value="Jones, Stacey"| Stacey Jones | N/A | {{league icon|New Zealand Warriors old}} New Zealand Warriors |- |}

===Coaches=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Coach !2008 Club !2009 Club |- | Wayne Bennett | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} Brisbane Broncos | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons |- | Neil Henry | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} Canberra Raiders | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |- | Nathan Brown | {{leagueicon|St. George}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} Super League: Huddersfield Giants |- | Daniel Anderson | {{leagueicon|St. Helens}} Super League: St. Helens | {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} Parramatta Eels |}

==References== {{reflist|40em}}

==External links== * [http://www.nrl.com/ NRL.com – Official site of the NRL], National Rugby League

Category:2009 NRL season