The 1932 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the twenty-fifth season of Sydney’s top-level rugby league competition, Australia’s first. During the season, which lasted from April until September, eight teams from across the city contested the premiership, culminating in South Sydney’s victory over Western Suburbs in the final.Premiership Roll of Honour at rl1908.comResults: 1931-40 at rabbitohs.com.au
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
Balmain 25th seasonGround: Birchgrove OvalCoach: Charles FraserCaptain: Charlie RobertsEastern Suburbs 25th seasonGround: Sydney Sports GroundCoach: Frank BurgeCaptain: Joe PearceNewtown 25th seasonGround: Marrickville OvalCaptain: Tom EllisNorth Sydney 25th SeasonGround: North Sydney OvalCaptain: Bill LeckieSt. George 12th seasonGround: Earl ParkCoach: Harry KadwellCaptain: Arthur JusticeSouth Sydney 25th seasonGround: Sydney Sports GroundCoach: Charlie LynchCaptain: George TreweekUniversity 13th seasonCaptain: Sammy OggWestern Suburbs 25th seasonGround: Pratten ParkCoach: Jim Craig Captain: Bill Brogan
Ladder
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 South Sydney141301292130+162262 Western Suburbs141103321156+165223 Eastern Suburbs14905253133+120184 Balmain14716204227-23155 Newtown14707201251-50146 St. George14419140203-6397 Sydney University142012134275-14148 North Sydney142012147317-1704
Finals In the two semi finals, the top two ranked teams South Sydney and Western Suburbs beat their lower-ranked opponents Eastern Suburbs and Balmain, respectively. The two winners then played in a final in which favourites and minor premiers South Sydney were beaten by Western Suburbs. However the finals system set in place then forced the final to be replayed, in what was known as the "Right of Challenge". This system ensured that in the event that the minor premiers lost in either the first or second round of the finals, then they would be given a second chance no matter what in what would later become the final premiership decider.
Grand Final South SydneyPositionWestern Suburbs22. Albert SpillaneFB Frank McMillan9. Benny WearingWG15. Alan Ridley15. Alby BlackCE3. Cliff Pearce29. Pat MaherCE5. Ray Morris12. Jack WhyWG59. Harry Rankine7. Jim DeeleyFE7. Les Mead6. Percy WilliamsHB6. Jack McGlinn19. Eddie RootPR11. Cecil Rhodes16. Jack PetersonHK12. Bob Lindfield3. Frank CurranPR17. Bill Brogan (c)20. George Treweek (c)SR10. Charlie Cornwell5. Frank O'ConnorSR16. Bill Ryan Eric LewisLK8. Frank SponbergCharlie Lynch CoachJim Craig In the Grand Final, South Sydney beat Western Suburbs 19–12 to take away their seventh premiership in eight years.
The match was played on Saturday, 24 September 1932 at the Sydney Sports Ground and refereed by Lal Deane before a crowd of 16,925. It was a titanic battle in which Souths led 9–2 at half-time before Wests fought back to level at 12–12. Minutes from full-time a towering penalty goal by Benny Wearing edged Souths ahead 14–12 before they closed out the game with a converted try by Eric Lewis.
The Whiticker/Collis reference quotes a rather prosaic Labor Daily"Whiticker & Collis p 36" in praise of both sides: “The ebb and flow of the grand final thrilled thousands who saw a great battle. A battle of the gladiators, fighting till their lungs seemed only fit to burst, while over 16,000 people hearts beating wildly to the thump of running feet, looked on gasping, cheering and rising from their seats in sheer delight”.
South Sydney 19 (Tries: Jack Why, Alby Black, Eric Lewis. Goals: Benny Wearing 4, Percy Williams)
Western Suburbs 12 (Tries: Alan Ridley, Harry Rankine. Goals: Les Mead 3)
References
External links Whiticker, Alan & Collis, Ian (2006) The History of Rugby League Clubs, New Holland, Sydney Rugby League Tables - Notes The World of Rugby League Rugby League Tables - Season 1932 AFL Tables Premiership History and Statistics RL1908