The 1933 NSWRFL season was the twenty-sixth season of Sydney’s professional rugby league club competition, Australia’s first. Eight teams from across the city contested the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership during the season, which lasted from April until September, and culminated in Newtown’s victory over St. George in the final.

Season summary

When the Australia national rugby league team, Kangaroos sailed for England in July, the NSWRFL premiership, with a mere five rounds completed, was turned on its head. After losing the opening four matches of the season, last-placed Newtown won eleven of their next twelve matches to take the premiership, whilst Wests, who had won four and drawn one of six games, lost several key players and did not win another match. The Magpies lost virtually their entire backline of Frank McMillan, McMillan, Cliff Pearce, Pearce, Alan Ridley, Ridley, Les Mead, Mead and the up-and-coming Vic Hey, and also suffered from their refusal to reappoint coach Jim Craig (rugby league), Jim Craig.Lester, Gary; ''Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood: the Story of the Western Suburbs Rugby League Magpies''; p. 94.

Teams

* Balmain Tigers, Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908, at Balmain Town Hall * Sydney Roosters, Eastern Suburbs, formed on January 24, 1908, at Paddington Town Hall * Newtown Jets, Newtown, formed on January 14, 1908 * North Sydney Bears, North Sydney, formed on February 7, 1908 * South Sydney Rabbitohs, South Sydney, formed on January 17, 1908, at Redfern Town Hall * St. George Dragons, St. George, formed on November 8, 1920, at Kogarah School of Arts * Western Suburbs Magpies, Western Suburbs, formed on February 4, 1908 * Sydney University rugby league team, University, formed in 1919 at Sydney University

Ladder

Finals

In the two semi finals, the top two ranked teams Newtown Jets, Newtown and St. George Dragons, St. George beat their lower-ranked opponents Sydney Roosters, Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney Rabbitohs, South Sydney. In their semi-final Newtown were reduced to twelve men after former representative fullback Alan Righton broke his leg. The two winners then advanced to the final.

Premiership final

The Sydney Sports Ground attracted a large crowd of 18,080 on 9 September to see Newtown take on St George. Both teams were coached by former internationals. St George captain-coach was former Kangaroo and premiership winner with South Sydney Harry 'Mick' Kadwell. Newtown were coached by former dual-international Charles Russell (rugby), Charles “Boxer” Russell. The match, refereed by William Fry, was level 5–all at halftime, before the Bluebags finished the stronger to take the premiership. Newtown 18 (Tries: Alf Griffiths 2, Joe Gartner, George Braybrook. Goals: Frank Gilmore 3) beat St George 5 (Tries: Percy Fairall. Goal: Mick Kadwell )

References

External links

Rugby League Tables - Notes
''AFL Tables''

''AFL Tables''

''RL1908'' *

at ''rabbitohs.com.au'' {{National Rugby League seasons New South Wales Rugby League premiership 1933 in Australian rugby league, Nswrfl Season