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.Premiership Roll of Honour at rl1908.com
Season summary When the 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 McMillan, Pearce, Ridley, Mead and the up-and-coming Vic Hey, and also suffered from their refusal to reappoint coach Jim Craig.Lester, Gary; Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood: the Story of the Western Suburbs Rugby League Magpies; p. 94.
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 26th seasonGround: Drummoyne Oval Coach: George RobinsonCaptain: Arthur Toby Eastern Suburbs 26th seasonGround: Sydney Sports Ground Coach: Arthur HallowayCaptain(s): Sid Pearce, Ernie Norman Newtown 26th seasonGround: Marrickville Oval Coach: Charles "Boxer" RussellCaptain: Keith Ellis North Sydney 26th seasonGround: North Sydney Oval Captain-Coach: Arthur Edwards St. George 13th seasonGround: Earl Park Coach: Albert JohnstonCaptain: Harry KadwellSouth Sydney 26th seasonGround: Sydney Sports Ground Coach: Charlie Lynch Captain: George Treweek University 14th season Coach: Gordon Favelle Captain: Sammy Ogg Western Suburbs 26th seasonGround: Pratten Park Captain-Coach: Bill Brogan
Ladder
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 Newtown14905183125+58182 Eastern Suburbs14815224169+55173 South Sydney14815182177+5174 St. George14806165174-9165 Balmain14536187210-23136 Sydney University14518218216+2117 North Sydney14518136188-52118 Western Suburbs14419210246-369
Finals In the two semi finals, Newtown and St. George beat their opponents Eastern Suburbs and 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 NewtownPositionSt. George 13. Tom Ellis FB 13. Stan Robinson 25. Joe Gartner WG 11. Bernie Martin 11. Alf Griffiths CE 51. Max Hollingsworth 20. Frank Gilmore CE 14. Norm Tipping 21. Garnet Braybrook WG 8. Len Brennan 8. Keith Ellis (c) FE 7. Mick Kadwell (Ca./Co.) 7. Hans Mork HB 34. Dick Daly 15. Clarrie Tupper PR 41. Tom Haywood 3. Clarrie Stevenson HK 5. Percy Fairall 18. Henry Porter PR 43. Alan Sprouster 5. Alf Smith SR 31. Allan Woods 28. Les Bull SR 2. Jim Rutherford 6. Jack Thornton LK 30. 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 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 Rugby League Tables - Season 1933 AFL Tables Premiership History and Statistics RL1908
Results: 1931-40 at rabbitohs.com.au