The 1946

New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia and contributor to today's National Rugby League. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League (initially named the New Sout ...

was the thirty-ninth season of

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

’s top-level

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

competition, Australia’s first. Eight teams from across the city contested during the season which culminated in Balmain’s victory over St. George in the premiership final.

Season summary

The South Sydney club did not win a single match in 1946, continuing a losing streak that started in round 8, 1945 and which would run till round 1, 1947. Eastern Suburbs’ Lionel Cooper took out the New South Wales “Player of the Year” award.

Teams

* Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908, at

Balmain Town Hall Balmain may refer to: Places * Balmain, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia * Electoral district of Balmain, an electoral division in New South Wales, Australia * Balmain East, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia * Balmain Hou ...

* Canterbury-Bankstown *

Eastern Suburbs Eastern Suburbs may refer to: Places *Eastern Suburbs (Mumbai), India *Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), Australia **Eastern Suburbs railway line, Sydney, Australia Sports clubs ;Association football *Eastern Suburbs AFC, Auckland, New Zealand * Eastern ...

, formed on January 24, 1908, at Paddington Town Hall * Newtown, formed on January 14, 1908 * North Sydney, formed on February 7, 1908 * South Sydney, formed on January 17, 1908, at Redfern Town Hall *

St. George Saint George (Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin: Georgius, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition he was a soldier ...

, formed on November 8, 1920, at Kogarah School of Arts * Western Suburbs, formed on February 4, 1908

Ladder

Finals

With just two rounds remaining, Newtown looked on track for the minor premiership until they lost to

and then Balmain in the two final rounds of the year. This left

to take the minor premiership, and with it, a guaranteed place in a Final. This proved costly for Newtown, who were narrowly beaten by Canterbury-Bankstown in the semi-final eliminator, meaning they were out of the competition. St. George also lost their first round match, meaning they immediately got sent into the Grand Final against the winner of a Balmain and Canterbury-Bankstown match, which Balmain won by a point.

Grand Final

In spite of St George’s status as minor premiers, Balmain were Grand Final favourites due to their comprehensive routing of the Dragons in the first semi-final. The decider, played on Saturday 14 September, was a closely fought contest. A series of dubious decisions by referee George Bishop gave Balmain an advantage. There was a disallowed try to St George and two Balmain tries which came off what appeared to be forward passes, one when Balmain’s

Joe Jorgenson Joe Jorgenson (12 September 1921 – 7 May 1993) was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s. He was a three-quarter for the Australian national team who played in three Tests in 1946, two as captain. Jorgensen also repres ...

scored after receiving a ball that seemed to have been propelled at least a yard forward. The Dragons came close to victory when late in the game

Jack Lindwall Jack Lindwall (1918-2000) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. A prolific try-scoring three-quarter back, he played his entire New South Wales Rugby Football League career with the St. George club. He is ...

scored in the corner but his brother, prospective Test bowler,

Ray Lindwall Raymond Russell Lindwall (3 October 1921 – 23 June 1996) was a cricketer who represented Australia in 61 Tests from 1946 to 1960. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He also played top-flight rugby league f ...

was unable to convert it. Lindwall in fact missed all four conversion attempts on the day. The Tigers had won seven straight victories to take the premiership. Tensions of the encounter overflowed after full-time, and at the conclusion of the match Saints forward,

Jim Hale James Alfred Hale (1916-1992) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s. Career Hale was graded with the South Sydney club in 1940 and switched mid-season to join St. George with whom he played seven seasons between 19 ...

went toe to toe with Balmain hooker,

Herb Gilbert, Jr Herbert Michael Gilbert (4 May 1917 – 31 October 1983) was a three-time premiership winning and State representative Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. A who played with the St. George and Balmain clubs, h ...

, himself a former Dragon. Hale was then attacked by a spectator and an all-in brawl followed. Balmain 13 (Tries: Jorgenson 2, Patton. Goals: Bourke 2 ) defeated St George 12 (Tries: J Lindwall 2, Jones, Munn) Image:Joe Jorgenson.jpg,

Image:Harry Bath (1945, Brisbane).jpg, Harry Bath Image:Herb Narvo Aust1944.jpg,

Herb Narvo Hermann Olaf Frances "Herb" Narvo (19 August 1912 – 28 July 1958) was an Australian rugby league footballer and boxer of the 1930s and 1940s. He was a national representative rugby league player and national heavyweight boxing champion. He h ...

Player statistics

The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 14. Top 5 point scorers Top 5 try scorers Top 5 goal scorers