National Rugby LeagueNational Rugby League

Toyota Cup

Season Review

2008 Premiers Canberra Raiders 28 defeated Brisbane Broncos 24 (extra time)

Competition Table2008 NRL Toyota Cup After Round 26

Position NRL Club W L D B For Against Difference Points

1 Raiders 18 6 0 2 744 581 163 40

2 Broncos 15 8 1 2 684 476 208 35

3 Warriors 14 7 3 2 721 533 188 35

4 Panthers 15 8 1 2 692 583 109 35

5 Eels 14 7 3 2 578 564 14 35

6 Dragons 13 9 2 2 561 520 41 32

7 Bulldogs 12 9 3 2 711 587 124 31

8 Titans 13 10 1 2 686 567 119 31

9 Tigers 13 11 0 2 620 623 -3 30

10 Rabbitohs 11 11 2 2 618 584 34 28

11 Eagles 11 13 0 2 519 532 -13 26

12 Knights 8 15 1 2 526 630 -104 21

13 Storm 8 15 1 2 512 638 -126 21

14 Sharks 6 17 1 2 394 666 -272 17

15 Roosters 6 18 0 2 480 721 -241 16

16 Cowboys 4 17 3 2 455 696 -241 15

Season Highlights Coverage by Fox Sports of 2 Toyota Cup games per week LIVE 52 Players competing in both the Toyota Cup and Telstra Premiership A proven development pathway for players, match officials and

administrators The announcement of the “Toyota Cup Team of the Year” Recognition for the Player of the Year at the Dally M Awards Toyota rewarding recipient with a loan car for 12 months Presentation of the “Jack Gibson Medal” to the player of the match in the

Toyota Cup GF Players competing in the Toyota Cup were required to attend an Induction

Camp which introduced them to the expectations and responsibilities of semi professional football

Over 350 players participated in referees course with several using this to officiate in games throughout the season

98% of players were either employed or undertaking some form of study at an education institution. (school, TAFE, University)

TV Ratings Highest Viewing Audience - Saturday 112,000 Sunday 63,000 Average 54,271 per game

Grand Final Ratings Channel 9 SYD. – BRIS. 418,742 Regional 302,307

Fox Sports 62,957

Toyota Cup PayTV Actual Ratings - 2008

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101619

77477

68444

7841781724

65779

80320

114450

78813

88302

6250965404

7919576627

7002372236

60640

54865

59803

45706

39392

4559142481

6168462250

51049

63243

30922

60127

45662

39982

33364

48613

4066140761 41447

53483

28260

38496

22207

46659

33780

3965641793

17694

37845

2964527567

29844

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20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Saturday PayTV Rating Sunday PayTv Rating

Honour Roll Brisbane - Josh Hoffman, Andrew McCullough Bulldogs – Heka Nanai (07), Arana Taumata, Ben Barba, John Kite, Jamal Idris Canberra – Justin Carney, Joel Thompson Cronulla – Jayson Bukuya, Karl Filiga Gold Coast – Esikeli Tonga, Shannon Walker, Will Matthews, Jordan Rapana, Jordan Rankin Melbourne – Liam Foran, Sam Joe, Kevin Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Joseph Tomane North Queensland – Obe Geia, Nick Slyney, Sam Bowie, Brandon Boor Parramatta – Kristopher Keating, Taulima Tautai, Tony Williams, Penrith – Wade Graham, Tim Grant (07), Masada Iosefa, Sam McKendry, Joseph Paulo, Lachlan

Coote, Daniel Penese, William Isa

South Sydney – Luke Capewell, Sam Huihahau, Eddie Paea (06), Eddy Pettybourne (07), Chris Sandow

St George illawarra – Lagi Setu (07), Chase Stanley (07) Sydney Roosters – Anthony Cherrington, Jake Friend, Ben Jones Warriors – Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Patrick Ah Van (06) Wests Tigers – Tim Moltzen, Peni Tagive

52 players competed in the Toyota Cup and Telstra Premiership

Awards Toyota Cup Player of the Year – Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos) Dally M Rookie of the Year – Chris Sandow (Rabbitohs) Jack Gibson Medal - Josh Dugan (Canberra Raiders) George Green Medal – Chris Sandow (Rabbitohs)

Toyota Cup Team of the Year Fullback: Lachlan Coote (Penrith Panthers) Wing: Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos) Centre: Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders) Centre: Tony Williams (Parramatta Eels) Wing: Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast Titans) Five-Eighth: Ben Barba (Bulldogs) Halfback: Chris Sandow (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Prop: Russell Packer (Warriors) Hooker: Masada Iosefa (Penrith Panthers) Prop: John Kite (Bulldogs) Second Row: Joel Thompson (Canberra Raiders) Second Row: Daniel Harrison (Bulldogs) Lock: Shaun Fensom (Canberra Raiders) Interchange: Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos) Interchange: Matt Mundine (St George Illawarra Dragons) Interchange: Jordan Rapana (Gold Coast Titans) Interchange: Ben Matulino (Warriors)

Team of the Year

Player Statistics 550 players were used in the Toyota Cup in it’s inaugural season On average 34 players were used by each club in the Toyota Cup this

season 57% of players that competed in the Toyota Cup this year are eligible in

2009 98% of players were either employed or engaged in some form of study The Mandated Non Training hours enabled the players to fulfill their

employment and education obligations Ben Barba was the leading point scorer in the competition with an

amazing 248 points (28 tries, 67 goals and 2 field goals) There were 11 draws throughout the season – (no extra time) 10 Toyota Cup players will represent their country in the 2008 World

Cup 5 Toyota Cup players were selected in the Aboriginal Dream Team 2 Toyota Cup players were selected to represent the NZ Maori team

Publicity

2009 and beyond The Toyota Cup will remain an under 20’s competition in 09 The Mandated Non Training Hours have been extended from 8.00am – 5.00pm on

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday LAHA has a maximum excluded amount of $200 per week per player and is

regardless of rent, sustenance or other The Tertiary Education Allowance is now regarded as a $15,000 (gross) allowance Toyota have resigned for 2 years with a 2 year option There are current negotiations between Fox Sports and the NRL regarding

broadcast rights for the next 4 years A season review is currently underway. Some of the points raised include:

– Maintain flexibility with Mandated Non Training Hours– Increased demand on Club Welfare Managers– Use of Video Referee in Finals Matches– Improving the turnover of match footage and stats– Added costs to clubs for travelling teams, meals etc.– Induction Camp program to have more workshops that encourage player

participation

Oh What a Feeling