The 1948 NSWRFL season was the forty-first New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership season,

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 football competition, and Australia’s first. The teams remained unchanged from the previous season, with ten clubs from across the city contesting the premiership during the season which culminated in Western Suburbs’ victory over Balmain in the grand final.

Season summary

When Balmain’s young stars of 1946 and 1947 Pat Devery and Harry Bath left for big money offers in England it seemed doubtful that the Tigers would be able to continue their run of success. However Balmain gave themselves every chance to achieve their third title in a row and made it through to the Grand Final match up against Wests.

Teams

* Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908, at Balmain Town Hall * Canterbury-Bankstown * Eastern Suburbs, formed on January 24, 1908, at Paddington Town Hall *

Manly-Warringah The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Sydney's Northern Beaches. The team colours are maroon and white, while their namesake and logo is the sea eagle. They compete in Australia's premier rugb ...

* Newtown, formed on January 14, 1908 * North Sydney, formed on February 7, 1908 * Parramatta, formed in November 1946 * 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

In Balmain’s preliminary final match up with St George, Balmain winger

Arthur Patton Arthur William Patton (1916–1990) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s, and later became a coach and administrator. His playing, coaching & administrative career was the Balmain club in Sydney. Career ...

refused to leave the field whilst injured as the Tigers held on to win 13–12. At game’s end it was found that he had a broken leg.

Grand Final

After rainy conditions the Grand Final was played on a soft

Sydney Sports Ground The Sydney Sports Ground No. 1 was a Stadium and Dirt track racing venue in Sydney, New South Wales. The ground was located where the car park of the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) currently sits. The ground had two main grandstands and was surro ...

surface. The Tigers led the game until the final quarter when a 40-metre run by Wests’ second rower Kevin Hansen saw him tackled right on the tryline. The referee awarded the try and Wests held an 8–5 break until full-time to record their third premiership win. Western Suburbs Magpies 8 (Tries: Hudson, Hansen. Goals: Keato) defeated Balmain Tigers 5 (Tries: Bourke. Goals: Bourke)

Player statistics

The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 18. Top 5 point scorers Top 5 try scorers Top 5 goal scorers