1939 NSWRFL season

The 1939 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirty-second season of Sydney’s top-level rugby league club competition, Australia’s first. Eight teams from across the city contested the premiership during the season, which lasted from April until September and culminated in Balmain’s victory over South Sydney in the final.[1]

1939 New South Wales Rugby Football League
Teams8
Premiers Balmain (7th title)
Minor premiers Balmain (7th title)
Matches played59
Points scored1655
Top points scorer(s) Neville Smith (97)
Top try-scorer(s) Sid Goodwin (18)

Season summary

This was to be the St. George club’s final season at Earl Park, Arncliffe, the following season moving back to Hurstville Oval.

Teams
Balmain

32nd season
Ground: Leichhardt Oval
Coach: Bill Kelly
Captain: Sid Goodwin

 Canterbury-Bankstown

5th season
Ground: Belmore Oval
Coach: Jerry Brien
Captain: Alan Brady

 Eastern Suburbs

32nd season
Ground: Sports Ground
Captain-coach: Ray Stehr

 Newtown

32nd season
Ground: Henson Park
Coach: Frank Burge
Captain: Allan Ellis

North Sydney

32nd season
Ground: North Sydney Oval
Coach: Bob Williams
Captain: Roy Thompson

 South Sydney

32nd season
Ground: Sports Ground
Coach: Charlie Lynch
Captain: Fred Felsch

 St. George

19th season
Ground: Earl Park
Captain-coach: Neville Smith

 Western Suburbs

32nd season
Ground: Pratten Park
Coach: Jim Craig
Captain: Albert McGuiness

Ladder
The geographical locations of the teams that contested the 1939 premiership across Sydney.
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Balmain 141022249115+13422
2 St. George 141004268169+9920
3 Canterbury-Bankstown 141004234155+7920
4 South Sydney 14905219158+6118
5 Eastern Suburbs 14806192184+816
6 Western Suburbs 142210148213-656
7 North Sydney 142210129272-1436
8 Newtown 142012124297-1734

Finals

In the two semi finals, minor premiers Balmain narrowly defeated Canterbury whilst fourth-placed South Sydney beat second-placed St. George.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Crowd
Semifinals
Balmain 13–9 Canterbury 19 August 1939 Sydney Cricket Ground George Bishop 23,774
St. George 10–23 South Sydney 26 August 1939 Sydney Cricket Ground Tom McMahon 21,722
Final
Balmain 33–4 South Sydney 2 September 1939 Sydney Cricket Ground George Bishop 26,972

Premiership final
Balmain Position South Sydney
  1. Hec Day
 FB16. Dick Johnson
2. Sid Goodwin (c)WG12. Harry Thompson
5. Jack WinchesterCE11. Alan Quinlivan
3. Frank HydeCE14. Fred Felsch (c)
17. Tom BourkeWG13. Alan Tuohey
7. Billy BischoffFE10. Jack Kadwell
4. Jim QuealeyHB20. Albert Webster
21. Dawson BuckleyPR36. John Whitfield
9. George WattHK4. George Kilham
6. Dave ManningPR
  1. Jack Walsh
12. Athol SmithSR2. Percy Fairall
11. Billy JohnsonSR3. Johnny Brown
13. Jack RedmanLK8. Eddie Hinson
Bill KellyCoachCharlie Lynch

The decider was played on the weekend when the world’s future altered dramatically with the invasion of Poland by Germany leading to England, Australia and the world going to war.

The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and refereed by George Bishop in front of 26,972. The game was tight in the first half with the Tigers scoring one try to lead 7–2 at the break.

In the second-half Balmain ran away with it, scoring six further tries to South Sydney’s none for a crushing seventh premiership title and the Tigers’ first since 1924. Star Balmain players of the time included Sid Goodwin, Frank Hyde, Tom Bourke, Athol Smith, Billy Bischoff, George Watt and Jim Quealey.

Balmain 33 (Tries: Tom Bourke 2, Frank Hyde, J. Redman, Jim Quealey, D. Buckley, A. Smith. Goals: H. Day 5, W. Johnson )

defeated

South Sydney 4 (Fred Felsch 2 goals)

Balmain Premiers 1939

References
  1. Premiership Roll of Honour Archived 2007-04-28 at the Wayback Machine at rl1908.com
  • Rugby League Tables - Notes AFL Tables
  • Rugby League Tables - Season 1939 AFL Tables
  • Premiership History and Statistics RL1908
  • Collis, Ian; Whiticker, Alan (2007). 100 Years of Rugby League. Chatswood, NSW: New Holland. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-74110-463-9.
  • Results: 1931-40 at rabbitohs.com.au
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