October October 1: Veteran coach Wayne Bennett accepts an offer from the Queensland Rugby League to step into the breach as Maroons coach for the 2020 State of Origin series following Kevin Walters’ appointment as Broncos coach. Bennett last coached the Maroons in 2003. The NRL confirms it has opened an investigation into the 2003 Dally M Medal that was not awarded due to industrial action by the game’s players’ association. The Daily Telegraph had led calls for Penrith’s Craig Gower to be awarded the medal after revealing he would have almost certainly won the count. The Sydney Roosters lose star recruit Sonny Bill Williams for their qualifying final against Penrith with a neck complaint.