1933 NSWRFL season
| 1933 New South Wales Rugby Football League | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 8 |
| Premiers |
 Newtown (2nd title) |
| Minor premiers |
Newtown (2nd title) |
| Matches played | 59 |
| Top point scorer(s) |
 Syd Christensen (86) |
| Top try scorer(s) |
 Jack Gray-Spence (11) |
The 1933 NSWRFL season was the 26th season of Sydney's professional rugby league football 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.[1]
Season summary
When the Kangaroos sailed for England in July, the NSWRL premiership with just 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 McMillan, Pearce, Ridley, Mead and the up-and-coming Vic Hey, and also the refusal to reappoint coach Jim Craig.[2]
Teams
- Balmain, formed on January 23, 1908 at Balmain Town Hall
- Eastern Suburbs, 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, formed on November 8, 1920 at Kogarah School of Arts
- Western Suburbs, formed on February 4, 1908
- University, formed in 1919 at Sydney University
 26th season Ground: Drummoyne Oval Coach: George Robinson Captain: Arthur Toby |
Eastern Suburbs 26th season Ground: Sydney Sports Ground Coach: Arthur Halloway Captain(s): Sid Pearce, Ernie Norman |
 26th season Ground: Marrickville Oval Coach: Charles "Boxer" Russell Captain: Keith Ellis |
 26th season Ground: North Sydney Oval Captain-Coach: Arthur Edwards |
| St. George 13th season Ground: Earl Park Coach: Albert Johnston Captain: Harry Kadwell |
South Sydney 26th season Ground: Sydney Sports Ground Coach: Charlie Lynch Captain: George Treweek |
 14th season Coach: Gordon Favelle Captain: Sammy Ogg |
Western Suburbs 26th season Ground: Pratten Park Captain-Coach: Bill Brogan |
Ladder
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newtown |
14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 183 | 125 | +58 | 18 |
| 2 |  Eastern Suburbs |
14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 224 | 169 | +55 | 17 |
| 3 |  South Sydney |
14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 182 | 177 | +5 | 17 |
| 4 |  St. George |
14 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 165 | 174 | -9 | 16 |
| 5 | Balmain |
14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 187 | 210 | -23 | 13 |
| 6 | University |
14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 218 | 216 | +2 | 11 |
| 7 |  North Sydney |
14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 136 | 188 | -52 | 11 |
| 8 |  Western Suburbs |
14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 210 | 246 | -36 | 9 |
Finals
In the two semi finals, the top two ranked teams Newtown and St. George beat their lower-ranked opponents Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney. In their semi-final Newtwon were reduced to 12 men after former representative fullback Alan Righton broke his leg. The two winners then advanced to the final.
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||
| 26 August 1933 - Sports Ground | |||||||
| Newtown |
17 | ||||||
| South Sydney |
12 | ||||||
| 9 September 1933[3] - Sports Ground | |||||||
| Newtown |
18 | ||||||
| St. George |
5 | ||||||
| 2 September 1933 - Sports Ground | |||||||
| St. George |
13 | ||||||
| Eastern Suburbs |
10 | ||||||
Premiership final
| Newtown | Position | St George |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Ellis | FB | Stan Robinson |
| Joe Gartner | WG | Bernie Martin |
| Alf Griffiths | CE | Max Hollingsworth |
| Frank Gilmore | CE | Norm Tipping |
| Garnet Braybrook | WG | Len Brennan |
| Keith Ellis (c) | FE | Mick Kadwell (Ca./Co.) |
| Hans Mork | HB | Dick Daly |
| Clarrie Tupper | PR | Tom Haywood |
| Clarrie Stevenson | HK | Percy Fairall |
| Henry Porter | PR | Alan Sprouster |
| Alf Smith | SR | Allan Woods |
| Les Bull | SR | Jim Rutherford |
| Jack Thornton | LK | Bill Killiby |
| Charles Russell | Coach | |
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 "Boxer" Russell.
The match, refereed by William Fry, was level 5-all at halftime, before the Newtown 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
- ↑ Premiership Roll of Honour at rl1908.com
- ↑ Lester, Gary; Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood: the Story of the Western Suburbs Rugby League Magpies; p. 94. ISBN 0949853526
- ↑ Newtown def. St George (18-5) - 09-Sep-1933 at nrlstats.com
- Rugby League Tables - Notes The World of Rugby League
- Rugby League Tables - Season 1933 The World of Rugby League
- Premiership History and Statistics RL1908
- Collis, Ian; Whiticker, Alan (2007). 100 Years of Rugby League. Chatswood, NSW: New Holland. p. 127. ISBN 978-1-74110-463-9.
- Results: 1931-40 at rabbitohs.com.au
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