Balmain Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney
suburb of Balmain
. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League
and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles. In 1999 they merged with the neighbouring Western Suburbs Magpies
club to form the Wests Tigers
for competition in the National Rugby League
(NRL). They still field independent teams in the lower divisions. At the time of the merger only South Sydney Rabbitohs
and the St George Dragons had won more titles than the Tigers.
The club's home ground was Leichhardt Oval
, in Sydney's inner west. They were also known as The Watersiders in their earlier days.
. Balmain reached their first Grand Final
in only the second year in the competition against the previous year's champions, South Sydney, but would protest as the match was scheduled as a warm up for a Kangaroos vs. Wallabies
game at Souths' home ground. Souths were officially awarded the Premiership when they kicked off to an empty half of the field.
After a string of poor years the Tigers managed a strong turn-around to become a dominant force in the Australian Rugby League with the club's first, second and third Premierships coming in successive years dominating the 1915, 1916 and 1917 seasons. Tigers dominance continued winning the 1919 and 1920 seasons comfortably. When they won the 1924 premiership this would be the last success for Balmain for over a decade to come.
It would not be until 1939 the Tigers won back the Premiership smashing Souths 33-4. The weekend of the Final will also be remembered for the invasion of Poland by Germany which led to England and Australia going to War
.
Post-World War II marked a golden era for Balmain with the Tigers reaching five consecutive Grand Finals winning three of them. In the 1944 Grand Final the Tigers beat the strong favourites Newtown
19-16. Balmain reached the Grand Final again in 1945 but fell at the last hurdle against Easts
22-18. The loss was not long remembered as the Tigers went on to take out the next two seasons, beating St George 14-12 in 1946, and Canterbury 13-9 in 1947. On the hunt for a third successive title, they lost to Wests
in 1948.
eleven year streak of Premiership wins in this period, losing in 1956, 1964 and 1966. When the Tigers did take out the competition in 1969 it was a classy 11-2 defeat of favourites Souths who boasted 11 internationals, this would signal the last time Balmain would ever win a Grand Final. The side was captained by Peter Provan
, brother of Norm
, and coached by Leo Nosworthy.
The 1970s were not a great era for the Tigers. The wooden spoon had not been in Balmain since 1911, but it returned for the second time in club history when the Tigers won only 4 games and had 2 draws in 1974 following a number of poor years. That period of time between 1911 and 1974 remains the longest wooden spoon drought for any team. In 1976 things looked more hopeful when Balmain began the year with an undefeated run through the pre-season "Wills Cup" competition. The side also won the 1976 Amco Cup
knockout tournament in front of a then-record crowd of 21,600, beating North Sydney
. The Tigers won eight straight games and led the competition, but a mid season slump left the Tigers in the same position as in 1975 and they failed to make the finals.
and 1989
.
On 4 August 1985 a crowd of 21,707 set a new ground record for Leichhardt Oval
.
In 1986, one of Balmain's players, Great Britain captain Garry Schofield
topped the try-scorers list for the season.
The Tigers would not reach the Grand Final until 1988, the first time since the 1969 success, winning a lot of fans along the way with a number of ‘backs to the wall’ performances winning four consecutive sudden death matches in just 3 weeks. The top five teams out of the premiership table went on to the final series, and this was the first time that a team in fifth position had progressed to the Grand Final. In 1988 the Tigers were deemed certain to miss the finals with 8 games left in the regular season. The Tigers remarkably only lost a single game from that point onwards reaching the Grand Final against Canterbury, only to be denied the trophy in a controversial 24-12 loss. Canterbury player, Terry Lamb
, is still remembered by fans for knocking out the legendary Ellery Hanley
with a high shot in back play midway through the first half. The Tigers were leading the game at the time.
The side would again make the Grand Final in 1989 but this time as favourites. The ’89 Final is regarded by many as one of the best ever in the history of Rugby League. In a controversial affair the side lost in extra time against the Canberra Raiders
after being ahead 12-2 at half time.
After the heartbreak of the 1989 Grand Final, the Tigers never regained their dominating form (although they did make the finals again in 1990) and went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of star players Wayne Pearce
, Garry Jack
, Steve Roach and David Brooks
who had all played over 100 games for the club over a period of 10 years or more. The stars were missed as Balmain finished second-last in 1993
and got the wooden spoon in 1994
.
The departure of coach Warren Ryan
at the end of 1990 was a key turning point for the club. Balmain hired the famous former Wallabies coach-cum-radio announcer Alan Jones as coach in 1991. As Paul Sironen
admitted years later in his autobiography, the 'running rugby' style of Jones was too simplistic for the structured defensive patterns which had developed in rugby league during the 1980s. Jones also began a controversial clear-out of some of the other Tigers stars who had not retired, notably the Kiwi international Gary Freeman, and often replaced them with inexperienced juniors who were not yet really ready for first grade football. By the time Jones was sacked as coach at the end of 1993, incoming coach Wayne Pearce
inherited a massive problem which was only getting worse.
In drastic action Balmain released 31 players at the end of 1994 and moved to Parramatta Stadium
as the 'Sydney Tigers'. The Tigers stayed at Parramatta Stadium for 2 seasons before heading back to Leichhardt Oval. The Tigers only averaged 6,565 people attending home games at Parramatta Stadium in what was regarded as a failed experiment.
At the end of the season, 1996 ARL season the League's chief executive John Quayle resigned and was replaced by Balmain president (and former hooker) Neil Whittaker.
/Super League
war would spell trouble for the club. 1999 was a tumultuous year for the Balmain Tigers. The season began with a dark cloud hanging over the 17 clubs. The Super League/ARL compromise had left 1999 as the last season before the 14 team NRL competition began and with it came the much talked about criteria. On-field Balmain was struggling with a savage injury toll that forced the Tigers to use over 40 players throughout the season.
In July the option of forming a joint venture with fellow foundation club, the Western Suburbs Magpies
was put to the Football Club members. The members ultimately voted in favour of a joint venture. As it turned out Balmain was in the top 14 clubs under the criteria (ahead of current NRL teams Penrith and South Sydney) but would have continued to struggle to be financially competitive with bigger clubs. The decision to enter a joint venture saw a crowd of 15,240 turn out in atrocious conditions to watch the Tigers play their last home game in first grade at Leichhardt Oval as the Balmain Tigers.
Although now known as Wests Tigers, the side made it to the 2005 Grand Final and defeated the North Queensland Cowboys
30 -16. Many old Balmain supporters have stuck with the club through the merger and regard the Tigers Grand Final win as one for Balmain also.
2005 the members of the Team of the Century became the inaugural inductees to the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame. In addition to those inductees a further five were inducted at the inaugural Hall of Fame dinner on 17 March 2005. These were:
A further five were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner on 29 March 2006. These were:
A further five were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner on 20 March 2007. These were:
A further six were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner in 2008. These were:
A further four were inducted in 2009:
Worst defeat
Most tries in a match
Most tries in a season
Most tries for club
Most goals in a match
Most goals in a season
Most Goals For Club
Most points in a match
Most points in a season
Most points for club
Award winners
The league caters for age groups from under 6's to A Grade (opens). The Senior competition (Under 13's - A Grade) is a combined competition with the St. George District Junior Rugby League. The Under 6's to Under 8's is a non-competitive competition. The Under 9's to Under 12's play in a modified competition.
As of 2009 there were ten clubs in the Balmain Tigers Junior Rugby League, with over 120 teams. These clubs are;
Some extinct clubs that once played in the Balmain District junior competition include;
Some notable Balmain juniors include;
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
suburb of Balmain
Balmain, New South Wales
Balmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles. In 1999 they merged with the neighbouring Western Suburbs Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
club to form the Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
for competition in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL). They still field independent teams in the lower divisions. At the time of the merger only South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
and the St George Dragons had won more titles than the Tigers.
The club's home ground was Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval is a football stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. It is a home ground for the Wests Tigers rugby league team. The stadium has a nominal capacity of 20,000, with recorded highest crowd figures of 23,000 in the 1981 KB Tooth final South Sydney Rabbitohs versus...
, in Sydney's inner west. They were also known as The Watersiders in their earlier days.
Foundation club
In 1908 Australia's first season of rugby league began in Sydney and the Balmain club were one of nine foundation clubs to compete. Their home ground was Birchgrove ParkBirchgrove Park
Birchgrove Park is a park and sports ground located in Birchgrove, New South Wales on the waterfront of Sydney Harbour. It is the location of Birchgrove Oval, a historic rugby league football ground which served as the original home of the Balmain Tigers club...
. Balmain reached their first Grand Final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
in only the second year in the competition against the previous year's champions, South Sydney, but would protest as the match was scheduled as a warm up for a Kangaroos vs. Wallabies
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
game at Souths' home ground. Souths were officially awarded the Premiership when they kicked off to an empty half of the field.
After a string of poor years the Tigers managed a strong turn-around to become a dominant force in the Australian Rugby League with the club's first, second and third Premierships coming in successive years dominating the 1915, 1916 and 1917 seasons. Tigers dominance continued winning the 1919 and 1920 seasons comfortably. When they won the 1924 premiership this would be the last success for Balmain for over a decade to come.
Golden era
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Post-World War II marked a golden era for Balmain with the Tigers reaching five consecutive Grand Finals winning three of them. In the 1944 Grand Final the Tigers beat the strong favourites Newtown
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
19-16. Balmain reached the Grand Final again in 1945 but fell at the last hurdle against Easts
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
22-18. The loss was not long remembered as the Tigers went on to take out the next two seasons, beating St George 14-12 in 1946, and Canterbury 13-9 in 1947. On the hunt for a third successive title, they lost to Wests
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
in 1948.
1960s-1970s
The Tigers would appear in several Grand Final matches throughout the 1950s and 1960s but were just another victim to the mighty St. George DragonsSt. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
eleven year streak of Premiership wins in this period, losing in 1956, 1964 and 1966. When the Tigers did take out the competition in 1969 it was a classy 11-2 defeat of favourites Souths who boasted 11 internationals, this would signal the last time Balmain would ever win a Grand Final. The side was captained by Peter Provan
Peter Provan
Peter Provan was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for St. George Dragons, Balmain Tigers and Australia....
, brother of Norm
Norm Provan
Norm "Sticks" Provan is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. A giant of a man, he was a second-row forward with the St. George Dragons during their 11-year consecutive premiership-winning run from 1956 to 1966...
, and coached by Leo Nosworthy.
The 1970s were not a great era for the Tigers. The wooden spoon had not been in Balmain since 1911, but it returned for the second time in club history when the Tigers won only 4 games and had 2 draws in 1974 following a number of poor years. That period of time between 1911 and 1974 remains the longest wooden spoon drought for any team. In 1976 things looked more hopeful when Balmain began the year with an undefeated run through the pre-season "Wills Cup" competition. The side also won the 1976 Amco Cup
1976 Amco Cup
The 1976 Amco Cup was a rugby league football tournament featuring teams from around the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland.-Preliminary round:Bold text-Round 1:-Round 2:-Quarter finals:-Semi finals:-Final:...
knockout tournament in front of a then-record crowd of 21,600, beating North Sydney
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
. The Tigers won eight straight games and led the competition, but a mid season slump left the Tigers in the same position as in 1975 and they failed to make the finals.
1980s-1990s
The Tigers consistently made the finals series in the 1980s reaching the play-offs in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988New South Wales Rugby League season 1988
The 1988 New South Wales Rugby League Premiership was the eighty-first season of professional rugby league football in Australia. This year saw the first expansion of the NSWRL competition outside the borders of New South Wales, with the addition of three new teams, the Brisbane Broncos, Gold...
and 1989
New South Wales Rugby League season 1989
The 1989 New South Wales Rugby League Premiership was the eighty-second season of professional rugby league football in Australia. Sixteen clubs competed for the J J Giltinan Shield and Winfield Cup during the season, which culminated in a grand final between the Canberra Raiders and Balmain Tigers...
.
On 4 August 1985 a crowd of 21,707 set a new ground record for Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval is a football stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. It is a home ground for the Wests Tigers rugby league team. The stadium has a nominal capacity of 20,000, with recorded highest crowd figures of 23,000 in the 1981 KB Tooth final South Sydney Rabbitohs versus...
.
In 1986, one of Balmain's players, Great Britain captain Garry Schofield
Garry Schofield
Garry E. Schofield OBE is an English retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of his retirement he was the most-capped Great Britain player of all time along with Mick Sullivan, with 46 appearances. He also won three England caps, making him the highest...
topped the try-scorers list for the season.
The Tigers would not reach the Grand Final until 1988, the first time since the 1969 success, winning a lot of fans along the way with a number of ‘backs to the wall’ performances winning four consecutive sudden death matches in just 3 weeks. The top five teams out of the premiership table went on to the final series, and this was the first time that a team in fifth position had progressed to the Grand Final. In 1988 the Tigers were deemed certain to miss the finals with 8 games left in the regular season. The Tigers remarkably only lost a single game from that point onwards reaching the Grand Final against Canterbury, only to be denied the trophy in a controversial 24-12 loss. Canterbury player, Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker...
, is still remembered by fans for knocking out the legendary Ellery Hanley
Ellery Hanley
Ellery Cuthwyn Hanley MBE is a British former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St. Helens and Doncaster. As a player he played most of his games at /, or /. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain,...
with a high shot in back play midway through the first half. The Tigers were leading the game at the time.
The side would again make the Grand Final in 1989 but this time as favourites. The ’89 Final is regarded by many as one of the best ever in the history of Rugby League. In a controversial affair the side lost in extra time against the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
after being ahead 12-2 at half time.
After the heartbreak of the 1989 Grand Final, the Tigers never regained their dominating form (although they did make the finals again in 1990) and went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of star players Wayne Pearce
Wayne Pearce
Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
, Garry Jack
Garry Jack
Garry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan...
, Steve Roach and David Brooks
David Brooks (rugby league)
David Brooks is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A one-club man, Brooks played his entire first-grade career with the Balmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership...
who had all played over 100 games for the club over a period of 10 years or more. The stars were missed as Balmain finished second-last in 1993
New South Wales Rugby League season 1993
The 1993 NSWRL season was the eighty-sixth season of professional rugby league football in Australia. The New South Wales Rugby League's sixteen teams competed for the J. J...
and got the wooden spoon in 1994
New South Wales Rugby League season 1994
The 1994 New South Wales Rugby League season was the eighty-seventh season of professional rugby league football in Australia...
.
The departure of coach Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
at the end of 1990 was a key turning point for the club. Balmain hired the famous former Wallabies coach-cum-radio announcer Alan Jones as coach in 1991. As Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
admitted years later in his autobiography, the 'running rugby' style of Jones was too simplistic for the structured defensive patterns which had developed in rugby league during the 1980s. Jones also began a controversial clear-out of some of the other Tigers stars who had not retired, notably the Kiwi international Gary Freeman, and often replaced them with inexperienced juniors who were not yet really ready for first grade football. By the time Jones was sacked as coach at the end of 1993, incoming coach Wayne Pearce
Wayne Pearce
Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
inherited a massive problem which was only getting worse.
In drastic action Balmain released 31 players at the end of 1994 and moved to Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
as the 'Sydney Tigers'. The Tigers stayed at Parramatta Stadium for 2 seasons before heading back to Leichhardt Oval. The Tigers only averaged 6,565 people attending home games at Parramatta Stadium in what was regarded as a failed experiment.
At the end of the season, 1996 ARL season the League's chief executive John Quayle resigned and was replaced by Balmain president (and former hooker) Neil Whittaker.
Merger
Although things picked up for the club in following years, the Australian Rugby LeagueAustralian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
/Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
war would spell trouble for the club. 1999 was a tumultuous year for the Balmain Tigers. The season began with a dark cloud hanging over the 17 clubs. The Super League/ARL compromise had left 1999 as the last season before the 14 team NRL competition began and with it came the much talked about criteria. On-field Balmain was struggling with a savage injury toll that forced the Tigers to use over 40 players throughout the season.
In July the option of forming a joint venture with fellow foundation club, the Western Suburbs Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
was put to the Football Club members. The members ultimately voted in favour of a joint venture. As it turned out Balmain was in the top 14 clubs under the criteria (ahead of current NRL teams Penrith and South Sydney) but would have continued to struggle to be financially competitive with bigger clubs. The decision to enter a joint venture saw a crowd of 15,240 turn out in atrocious conditions to watch the Tigers play their last home game in first grade at Leichhardt Oval as the Balmain Tigers.
Although now known as Wests Tigers, the side made it to the 2005 Grand Final and defeated the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
30 -16. Many old Balmain supporters have stuck with the club through the merger and regard the Tigers Grand Final win as one for Balmain also.
Club today
The club currently competes in all of the New South Wales Rugby League competitions. In the Premier League they are merged with the Ryde-Eastwood Hawks. They still enjoy their rival match against the Western Suburbs Magpies.Coaching register
| Name | Years | W | D | L | % | Finals | Grand Finals | Premierships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Graves Robert Graves (rugby) Robert Henderson Graves was a pioneer Australian rugby league and rugby union player and one of his country's first dual-code internationals. He was a versatile forward for the Australia national team. He played in 6 Tests between 1908 and 1909, as captain on 1 occasion.-Rugby union career:Graves... |
1908–1913 | 33 | 2 | 41 | 43% | 1909 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Kelly | 1914-1915 & 1938-1943 | 73 | 11 | 35 | 61% | 1938, '39, '41, '42, '43 | 1 | 2 |
| Arthur Halloway Arthur Halloway Arthur 'Pony' Halloway , was a pioneering Australian rugby league footballer and coach. Born in Sydney, New South Wales he played for the Glebe Dirty Reds , Balmain Tigers and Eastern Suburbs , in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership.He was a Half-back for the Australian national... |
1916–1920 | 55 | 3 | 12 | 79% | 1916 | 1 | 4 |
| Charles Fraser | 1921-1924 & 1932 | 36 | 5 | 22 | 57% | 1924, '32 | 1 | 1 |
| Alf Fraser | 1925–1929 | 27 | 4 | 42 | 37% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Norm Robinson Norm Robinson Norman "Latchem" Robinson was an Australian rugby league player, coach, selector and administrator for the Balmain club and a City, State and National selector and manager.-Playing career:... |
1930, 1944-1947 & 1954-1956 | 84 | 9 | 49 | 59% | 1944, '45, '46, '47, '56 | 5 | 3 |
| Reg Latta | 1931 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 36% | - | 0 | 0 |
| George Robinson | 1933–1934 | 9 | 3 | 16 | 32% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Busch Joe Busch Joe 'Chimpy' Busch was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s and 30s. A state and national representative halfback, his club career was played with Sydney based teams Eastern Suburbs and Balmain and UK team Leeds, in the 1930s... |
1935–1936 | 18 | 1 | 11 | 60% | 1936 | 1 | 0 |
| Harold Matthews | 1937 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 50% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Athol Smith | 1948–1950 | 37 | 6 | 17 | 62% | 1948, '49, '50 | 1 | 0 |
| Jim Duckworth | 1951 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 33% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Arthur Patton | 1952–1953 | 15 | 0 | 21 | 42% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Sid Ryan | 1957 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 50% | - | 0 | 0 |
| John O'Toole | 1958–1960 | 29 | 1 | 29 | 49% | 1958, '60 | 0 | 0 |
| Harry Bath Harry Bath Harry Bath , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach who rose to prominence in the mid-Twentieth Century... |
1961–1966 | 65 | 3 | 48 | 56% | 1961, '63, '64, '66 | 2 | 0 |
| Keith Barnes Keith Barnes William Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his... |
1967–1968 | 26 | 2 | 16 | 59% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Leo Nosworthy | 1969–1973 | 55 | 2 | 56 | 49% | 1969 | 1 | 1 |
| Alan Mason | 1974 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 18% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Broughton Paul Broughton Paul Broughton is an Australian rugby league football identity. A former player, coach and club chief executive, he is chairman of the Gold Coast Titans of the NRL. He also serves on the board of the North Queensland Cowboys.... |
1975–1976 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 49% | 1975 | 0 | 0 |
| Ron Willey Ron Willey Ron Willey was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative for the Australian national side. Post-playing, Willey had a long and successful first grade and State representative coaching career.-Club career:... |
1977–1979 | 35 | 4 | 29 | 51% | 1977 | 0 | 0 |
| Dennis Tutty Dennis Tutty Dennis Tutty is an Australian former professional rugby league player and coach in theNew South Wales Rugby League competition who also represented for Australia. He was also a champion rower. In the 1970s, Tutty won a landmark court case which removed trade restraints on rugby league players... |
1980 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 32% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Frank Stanton Frank Stanton (rugby league) Frank "Biscuits" Stanton is an Australian former rugby league player and a successful club and national representative coach. His playing and club coaching career was with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles... |
1981–1986 | 79 | 2 | 72 | 52% | 1983,85,86 | 0 | 0 |
| Bill Anderson | 1987 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 56% | 1987 | 0 | 0 |
| Warren Ryan Warren Ryan Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.... |
1988–1990 | 49 | 1 | 25 | 65% | 1988,89,90 | 2 | 0 |
| Alan Jones Alan Jones (radio broadcaster) Alan Belford Jones AO is an Australian radio broadcaster, former rugby union and rugby league coach and administrator.Jones hosts Sydney's most popular breakfast radio program, on radio station 2GB... |
1991–1993 | 24 | 3 | 39 | 36% | - | 0 | 0 |
| Wayne Pearce Wayne Pearce Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'... |
1994–1999 | 40 | 1 | 71 | 36% | - | 0 | 0 |
Players of note
In May 2003 the Balmain Tigers Team of the Century was named:- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
(c) - Arthur HallowayArthur HallowayArthur 'Pony' Halloway , was a pioneering Australian rugby league footballer and coach. Born in Sydney, New South Wales he played for the Glebe Dirty Reds , Balmain Tigers and Eastern Suburbs , in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership.He was a Half-back for the Australian national...
- Ben Elias
- Larry CorowaLarry CorowaLarry Corowa is an Indigenous Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative winger, he played club football for the Balmain Tigers and the Gold Coast Seagulls in the New South Wales Rugby...
- Wayne PearceWayne PearceWayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
- Tom BourkeTom BourkeTom Bourke was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s. A New South Wales representative centre, he played his entire club career with Balmain, who he captained and won several premierships with.-Playing career:...
- Arthur Patton
- Paul SironenPaul SironenPaul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
- Tim BrasherTim BrasherTim Brasher is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who played primarily as fullback. He began his career for Balmain Tigers, where he played the majority of his career. He then moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for two seasons, before finishing his career with a...
- Charles Fraser
- Harry BathHarry BathHarry Bath , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach who rose to prominence in the mid-Twentieth Century...
- Peter ProvanPeter ProvanPeter Provan was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for St. George Dragons, Balmain Tigers and Australia....
- Jim CraigJim Craig (rugby league)Jim Craig was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a versatile back for the Australian national team. He played in 7 Tests between 1921 and 1928 as captain on 3 occasions and has since been named amongst the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Club career:Craig grew...
- Steve Roach
- Bob Boland
- Pat DeveryPat DeveryPat Devery is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1940s and 50s. An Australian international representative half, he played in Australia for the Balmain club, winning the 1944, '46 and '47 grand finals with them...
- Arthur BeetsonArthur BeetsonArthur Henry "Artie" Beetson, OAM , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia and Queensland from 1964 to 1981. His position was at prop. Beetson became the first Indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport. and is frequently cited as the best...
- Norm "Latchem" RobinsonNorm RobinsonNorman "Latchem" Robinson was an Australian rugby league player, coach, selector and administrator for the Balmain club and a City, State and National selector and manager.-Playing career:...
2005 the members of the Team of the Century became the inaugural inductees to the Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame. In addition to those inductees a further five were inducted at the inaugural Hall of Fame dinner on 17 March 2005. These were:
- Reg Latta
- Joe Jorgensen
- Bill Marsh
- Dave BoltonDave BoltonDavid "Dave" R. Bolton is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who later became a coach in the NSWRFL premiership...
- Garry JackGarry JackGarry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan...
A further five were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner on 29 March 2006. These were:
- Jack 'Junker' Robinson
- Fred de BelinFred de BelinFred de Belin was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s. An Australian international representative forward, he played club footballl in Sydney for Balmain, winning the 1946 NSWRFL Premiership with them and later being appointed their captain.Born 15 October 1920 to World...
- Billy Bischoff
- Garry Leo
- John Spencer, Jr.
A further five were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner on 20 March 2007. These were:
- Trevor Ryan
- Geoff Starling
- David BrooksDavid Brooks (rugby league)David Brooks is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A one-club man, Brooks played his entire first-grade career with the Balmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership...
- Bob Craig
- Sid GoodwinSid GoodwinSid Goodwin , born on a Wednesday in November, was Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s. He played on the wing for the Balmain and Newtown clubs in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership and also represented New South Wales and Australia.In 1935 Goodwin took...
A further six were inducted at the Hall of Fame dinner in 2008. These were:
- John Davidson
- Laurie FaganLaurie FaganLaurie Fagan was a rugby league player for the Balmain Tigers and the Penrith Panthers between 1958 and 1970. He played no rep footy but was still a great player....
- Jack HampsteadJack HampsteadJack Hampstead was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers and the New South Wales Rugby League team.Jack Hampstead died in 1992....
- Bob Mara
- Neil Pringle
- Sid Ryan
A further four were inducted in 2009:
- Jack Spencer, Sr.
- Len KilleenLen KilleenLen Killeen was a South African former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s.Killeen was born in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. A goal-kicking three-quarter, he played in England for St Helens, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1966...
- Keith Outten
- Kerry HemsleyKerry HemsleyKerry Hemsley is an Australian former professional rugby league player for theBalmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League competition...
Club
Biggest win- 64-2 vs Wests at Pratten Park on 29 July 1944
Worst defeat
- 5-62 vs Wests at Lidcombe Oval on 31 March 1974
Individual
Most appearances- Paul SironenPaul SironenPaul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
: 246 - Garry JackGarry JackGarry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan...
: 244 - Ben Elias: 234
- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
: 200 - Wayne PearceWayne PearceWayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
: 192 - Tim BrasherTim BrasherTim Brasher is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who played primarily as fullback. He began his career for Balmain Tigers, where he played the majority of his career. He then moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for two seasons, before finishing his career with a...
: 185 - Charles Fraser: 185
- Steve Roach: 185
- Reg Latta: 176
- Garry Leo: 173
Most tries in a match
- Sid GoodwinSid GoodwinSid Goodwin , born on a Wednesday in November, was Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s. He played on the wing for the Balmain and Newtown clubs in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership and also represented New South Wales and Australia.In 1935 Goodwin took...
: 5 vs University at Leichhardt Oval on 4 April 1935 - Arthur Patton: 5 vs Eastern Suburbs at SCG on 12 August 1944
- Bob LulhamBob LulhamBob Lulham was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1940s and 50s. A quick-paced winger, he came to Sydney from Newcastle and in his first season in the NSWRFL premiership represented New South Wales in all matches...
: 5 vs Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval on 2 August 1947 - David ToplissDavid ToplissDavid Topliss was an English Rugby League World Cup winning footballer and coach. He played and coached with Wakefield Trinity in the late 1970s and early 1980s....
: 5 vs Newtown at Henson Park on 7 August 1977
Most tries in a season
- Bobby Lulham: 28 in NSWRFL season 1947
Most tries for club
- Arthur Patton: 95
- Sid GoodwinSid GoodwinSid Goodwin , born on a Wednesday in November, was Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s. He played on the wing for the Balmain and Newtown clubs in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership and also represented New South Wales and Australia.In 1935 Goodwin took...
: 86 - Bob LulhamBob LulhamBob Lulham was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1940s and 50s. A quick-paced winger, he came to Sydney from Newcastle and in his first season in the NSWRFL premiership represented New South Wales in all matches...
: 85 - Tim BrasherTim BrasherTim Brasher is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who played primarily as fullback. He began his career for Balmain Tigers, where he played the majority of his career. He then moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for two seasons, before finishing his career with a...
: 82 - Jack 'Junker' Robinson: 78
- Bob Mara: 70
Most goals in a match
- Frank Driese: 11 vs Wests at Pratten Park on 29 July 1944
- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
: 11 vs Norths at Sports Ground on 24 July 1960
Most goals in a season
- Len KilleenLen KilleenLen Killeen was a South African former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s.Killeen was born in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. A goal-kicking three-quarter, he played in England for St Helens, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1966...
: 84 in NSWRFL season 1969
Most Goals For Club
- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
: 742
Most points in a match
- Frank Driese: 22 vs Wests at Pratten Park on 29 July 1944
- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
: 22 vs Norths at Sports Ground on 24 July 1960 - Ross ConlonRoss ConlonRoss Conlon is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Balmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership as well as representative football for New South Wales and the Australia.-Playing career:Conlon...
: 22 vs Wests at Leichhardt Oval on 4 April 1985
Most points in a season
- Len KilleenLen KilleenLen Killeen was a South African former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s.Killeen was born in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. A goal-kicking three-quarter, he played in England for St Helens, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1966...
: 207 in NSWRFL season 1969
Most points for club
- Keith BarnesKeith BarnesWilliam Keith Barnes OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a fullback for the Australian national team and for the Balmain Tigers. He played in 14 Tests between 1959 and 1966, as national captain on 12 occasions. He was known as "Golden Boots" due to his...
: 1,519 (11 tries, 742 goals, 1 field goal)
Award winners
- Wayne PearceWayne PearceWayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
(Rothmans MedalRothmans MedalThe Rothmans Medal was the premier individual award in both the New South Wales Rugby League and Brisbane Rugby League competitions, and later in the Australian Rugby League, which was given to the player voted by referees as the best and fairest in those competitions for that year.The award was...
, 1985)
Major sponsors
- Camperford (1977)
- Avis (1978–1980)
- Sharp (1981–1982)
- Saxonvale Wines (1983–1985)
- Alpha Micro Computers (1986–1987)
- PhilipsPhilipsKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
(1988–1993) - MLC mobiles (1994–1995)
- Meriton Apartments (1997–1999)
Notable fans
- Neville WranNeville WranNeville Kenneth Wran, AC, CNZM, QC was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 until 1986. He was National President of the Australian Labor Party from 1980 to 1986 and Chairman of both the Lionel Murphy Foundation and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation from 1986...
, Premier of New South Wales - Dawn FraserDawn FraserDawn Fraser AO, MBE is an Australian champion swimmer. She is one of only two swimmers to win the same Olympic event three times – in her case the 100 meters freestyle....
, olympic swimmer - Laurie Nichols
- Harry TriguboffHarry TriguboffHarry Oscar Triguboff AO is an Australian property developer and strong proponent of population growth in Australia to a hundred million. Also known as "High-Rise Harry" -Early life:...
Balmain Tigers District Junior Rugby League
The Balmain Tigers District Junior Rugby League is one of the oldest Junior Rugby League Competitions in Australia. It administers an affiliation of junior rugby league clubs in the inner west and inner north west of Sydney.The league caters for age groups from under 6's to A Grade (opens). The Senior competition (Under 13's - A Grade) is a combined competition with the St. George District Junior Rugby League. The Under 6's to Under 8's is a non-competitive competition. The Under 9's to Under 12's play in a modified competition.
As of 2009 there were ten clubs in the Balmain Tigers Junior Rugby League, with over 120 teams. These clubs are;
- Balmain PCYC (formerly known as Balmain Police Boys)
- Carlingford Cougars (formerly known as St Gerards Carlingford)
- Concord-Burwood United Wolves (merger of Burwood Utd & Concord Utd in 1990s, former Western Suburbs junior clubs)
- Dundas Shamrocks Junior Rugby League Football ClubDundas Shamrocks Junior Rugby League Football ClubThe Dundas Shamrocks Junior Rugby League Football Club was formed in the mid-1960s as an attachment to St Patrick's Marist College Dundas' sports auxiliary for weekend rugby league within the Balmain Junior Rugby League competition. In the mid-1990s the school sports auxiliary ceased to exist and...
(formerly known as St Patricks Dundas) - Five Dock RSL Dockers (former Western Suburbs junior club)
- Holy Cross Rhinos (Ryde)
- Leichhardt Juniors
- Leichhardt Wanderers (known as Leichhardt Gladstone until 1930s)
- North Ryde Hawks
- Strathfield Raiders
- West Ryde-Denistone Stones
- Enfield Federals (joined 2010, former Western Suburbs junior club)
Some extinct clubs that once played in the Balmain District junior competition include;
- Drummoyne Sports (until 1990s)
- Balmain Waratahs (until 1990s)
- Ermington-Rydalmere (until 1990s)
- Glebe Police Boys (until 1990s)
- Balmain United (until 1990s)
- Cricketers Arms (until 1990s - Darling St, BalmainBalmain, New South WalesBalmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
- know known as Monkey Bar) - Sackville Sharks
- Ryde District Devils (until 1980s)
- Birchgrove Scorpions (until 1980s)
- Gladesville Sports (until 1980s)
- West Ryde-Dundas
- Rozelle Codocks (until 1970s)
- Pyrmont Colts (until 1970s)
- Glebe Shamrocks (aka St James Sports Club - until 1970s)
- Ryde CYO (unil 1970s)
- Carlingford CYO (unil 1970s)
- Balmain Arlines (until 1970s)
- Glebe Youth
- Bing & Swing (Glebe, former Glebe district junior team - folded in 1930)
- Balmain Iona (aka Rozelle Iona)
- Drummoyne Rovers (1920s)
- Rozelle Fernleigh (1920s)
- Marist College Eastwood
Some notable Balmain juniors include;
- Wayne PearceWayne PearceWayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
(Balmain Police Boys) - Paul SironenPaul SironenPaul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
(North Ryde) - Benny EliasBenny EliasBenjamin Elias is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played primarily as a hooker for Balmain in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership. He was one of the leading hookers from the mid 1980s until his retirement at the end of the 1994 season...
(Holy Cross) - Dene HalatauDene HalatauDene Halatau is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . A New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played club football for the Wests Tigers, with whom he won the 2005 NRL Premiership.-Bipgraphy:Halatau is...
(North Ryde, formerly of Wentworthville) - Robbie FarahRobbie FarahRobert Peter "Robbie" Farah is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers club in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at hooker and can operate as a half-back...
(Leichhardt Wanderers, formerly of Enfield Federals) - Bronson HarrisonBronson HarrisonBronson Harrison is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at lock. He previously played for the Wests Tigers...
(Leichhardt Wanderers & Balmain PCYC) - Josh LewisJosh LewisFor the character from the soap opera Guiding Light, see Joshua LewisJosh Lewis For the character from the soap opera Guiding Light, see Joshua LewisJosh Lewis For the character from the soap opera Guiding Light, see Joshua LewisJosh Lewis (born 5 October 1985 in Sydney, New South Wales is a well...
(Leichhardt Wanderers) - Kurtley BealeKurtley BealeKurtley Beale is an Australian representative rugby union player. His primary position is fullback.- Youth :Beale signed to the Waratahs while a 16 year old at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. Before leaving school Beale captained the Australian Schoolboys and regularly attended training...
(North Ryde) - Mitchell PearceMitchell PearceMitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
(North Ryde) - Alan ThompsonAlan Thompson (rugby league)Alan Thompson is a former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played at five-eighth....
(North Ryde) - Wayne Wigham (North Ryde)
- Mark O'Neill (North Ryde & Dundas Shamrocks)
- Kevin HardwickKevin HardwickKevin R. Hardwick is a political science professor at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York and an Erie County Legislator. Hardwick represented the 10th legislative district in 2009, which was redistricted and downsized to an 11-seat body...
(Ryde District Devils) - John Davidson (Birchgrove Scorpions & Ermington-Rydalmere)