The 1937 Auckland Rugby League season was its 29th. Richmond Rovers won their third Fox Memorial title with a 10 win, 1 draw, 3 loss record. At one point they threatened to run away with the title when after nine rounds they had a 4-point lead over their nearest challengers. However a loss to Ponsonby United in round 10, a draw with Manukau in round 12, and a loss to Marist Old Boys in round 13 meant that the title was not decided until the final round. They however beat the wooden spooners Newton Rangers 30–9 to secure the title.
After a disappointing 1936 season Marist Old Boys finished third in the Fox Memorial, one point behind Richmond and then went on to win the Roope Rooster knockout competition with wins over Newton Rangers, City Rovers, and Ponsonby United 25–10 in the final. They then defeated Richmond Rovers in the Stormont Shield champion of champions match 12–5. They were helped significantly by the record breaking point scoring of John Anderson. He scored 154 points through all matches for Marist during the season which was comfortably the most in Auckland Rugby League club history with only Bill Davidson (116) in 1922, and Frank Delgrosso (108) in 1929 even passing the 100 point mark.
North Shore Albions won the Phelan Shield after being knocked out of the Roope Rooster competition in the first round. They beat Richmond, Manukau and then Mount Albert in the final 22–18. Richmond won the reserve grade title (Norton Cup). Marist won the reserve grade knockout competition (Stallard Cup) by defeating Ponsonby 22–5 in the final.
The 9 team Senior B grade was won once again by Papakura who finished with a 14 win, 1 loss record to lead the trailing Point Chevalier who finished with 11 wins and 3 losses. Papakura also won the knockout competition when they defeated Green Lane 19–7 in the final.
The representative season saw Auckland beat Auckland Māori 24–14, followed by wins on the same day over South Auckland (Waikato) 26–12, and Taranaki (27–10), though two separate teams were obviously used. At the end of the season an injury depleted Auckland side lost to a very strong New Zealand Māori team 43–21. The New Zealand Māori side had earlier defeated the touring Australian side and included George Nēpia. The Auckland Māori side played two matches, aside from their game against Auckland, against Waikato Māori and North Auckland Māori. They won the matches 28-6 and 37-3 respectively.
Auckland Rugby League meetings and news Club teams by grade participation There were 104 club teams across 10 grades in the 1937 season. TeamFox MemorialSenior ReservesSenior B3rd 4th5th6th7thSchoolboysTotalRichmond Rovers11111111311North Shore Albions1102110129Mount Albert United1111001038Newton Rangers1111000048Point Chevalier0011101138Manukau Rovers1111000037Marist Old Boys1101000036Ponsonby United1100100126Northcote & Birkenhead Ramblers0010110036Ellerslie United0001110036City Rovers1101011005Papakura0012011005Otahuhu Rovers0001010114Avondale0000010034Green Lane0010001013Glenora0001100103RV0011000002Balmoral0000000022George Courts0000000022Total88915786538104
Annual general meeting The 27th annual meeting was held on April 5 with John A. Lee speaking at length as president about the importance of sport for the health of men and women. He went on to say “you know I consider that all the defeats, or rather, disabilities, this code has had, and had overcome, have welded it strongly... we like the other game, and good fellows we know are playing it, but we think and know our game is better. In other words, we like the other game, Rugby Union, but we like our own game best. It may be an offshoot. I suppose it is a case of the juvenile being better than the parent (Applause). Anyhow, we think our game is improved, livened up, harder and faster, and it has a tempo more in keeping with our time...” The meeting made reference to the passing of John Stormont, A. Cowan, Dr. Tracy Inglis from the previous year. The balance sheet showed gate receipts for club matches were £3584 5/ which was an increase of £769 15/9 as compared to 1934, and £285 12/ compared with 1935. Grants made to clubs from gate percentages totalled £658 18/1, which was an increase of 20 percent over 1935. The following officers were elected:-patron, Mr. J. B. Donald; vice patron, Mr. J.F.W. Dickson; president, hon. John A. Lee; vice presidents, Messrs. E. Davis, R.D. Bagnall, R. Benson, J. Bellamy, O. Blackwood, J. Donald, C. Drysdale, H. Grange, R.J. Laird, W.J. Lovett, E. Morton, E. Montgomery, T.G. Symonds, Joe Sayegh, C. Seagar, F.W. Schramm, M.P., W. Wallace, H. Walmsley, R.H. Wood, G.T. Wright and H.W. Brien; trustees, Messrs. J.W. Probert and Jim Rukutai (re-elected), and T. Davis and F.T. McAneny as new members; junior delegate, Mr. D. Wilkie; referees delegate, Mr. W. Mincham. A Stormont was succeeding his father as a trustee.
The Board of Control met in early April with the chairman Mr. G. Grey Campbell welcoming new members Messrs. Davis and McAneny. Ivan Culpan and J.E. Knowling were re-elected honorary secretary and honorary treasurer respectively. Mr. R. Doble was re-elected delegate on the New Zealand Rugby League Council and Press steward; auditor, Mr. R.A. Spinley; honorary solicitor, Mr. H.M. Rogerson; honorary physicians, Drs. M.G. Pezaro, F.J. Gwynne, K.H. Holdgate, J.H. Waddell, G.W. Lock, H. Burrell, and S. Morris; honorary masseur, Mr. F. Flanagan: time keepers, Messrs. T. Hill, and A.E. Chapman. The following were appointed to committees:- Insurance, Messrs. Doble, Davis, and Wilkie; Accounts, Messrs. Knowling, J.W. Probert and F.T. McAneny; Emergency, chairman and any three members of the board. It was decided that the season would begin on April 17 when a preliminary round of two Saturdays will be started and a night match may be arranged with the championship officially opening on May 1. Senior team nominations would be dealt with on April 14.
Coronation dance On May 11 the Auckland Rugby League held a Coronation dance at the Peter Pan venue. Over 800 people attended with music being supplied by Theo Walter's Band.
Auckland representative team At the control board meeting on April 14 it was decided to appoint Hec Brisbane as the sole Auckland selector for the season. Brisbane was a former New Zealand international (50 matches including 10 tests), Auckland representative (14 matches from 1923 to 1933), and who had played for and captained Marist Old Boys from 1923 to 1934 in 156 matches.
Australian visit and St George request In August the Australian side played two tests against New Zealand and another midweek match against New Zealand Māori. All three matches were played at Carlaw Park. New Zealand lost the first test 12–8, before winning the second test 16-15 while New Zealand Māori defeated Australia 16–5. Following the matches Ernie Asher, on behalf of the Māori Control Board presented the ARL committee with a framed photograph of the team. Chairman Mr. G. Grey Campbell “pointed out that the victory was a historic event in league history”. St. George cabled the ARL on September 2 requesting the opportunity to tour for three matches at some point on or after September 18 however the ARL regrettedly declined as it had been a long season and the national side had already played matches in Auckland. They had also offered to have Frank Burge the former international forward coach the Auckland team for two weeks whilst here.
First grade competition The same teams as 1936 all nominated sides to compete in the Fox Memorial championship once again. The ARL decided to play two preliminary rounds in mid and late April before commencing the season proper on May 1. Prior to the opening round of preliminary games the Auckland Star wrote: Manukau, with a pack averaging over 14st per man, will include “Logan, the Central Hawke's Bay representative five eighths. Their challenge will be met confidently by Richmond, who recently teamed brilliantly in the trial at Morningside, where the new forwards, Jack McLeod, the Taranaki representative, and George Mitchell, of Wairarapa, were conspicuous. Ponsonby, now coached by R. McIntyre, the ex-Ponsonby and Auckland representative, are in the best of trim for their battle with Mount Albert, and the teams may provide a surprise or two. Newton will miss Ted Brimble, who is at present in hospital, but the back division will include their promising centre, Frederick Sissons, with Dempsey as custodian. The team is being coached by George Morman, who captained the Rangers when they won the championship in 1927... Marists will present a powerful vanguard against City. The Rovers will have the services of moody, a big Bay of Plenty forward from Taneatua, and Potier, the South Auckland representative halfback, among several other alterations. Three Navy players, Fitzgerald, at centre, and Donaldson and Boyle, forwards, will appear for the green and golds”. The New Zealand Herald reported that “Richmond will be considerably strengthened by A. E. Cooke, the international, who retired last season, but has decided to play again. Manukau will field practically the same side as that last year, Hemi, Pickrang, and Brodrick all being available. It is doubtful whether Trevarthan, who is at present in the south, will turn out”.
After the first weekend of preliminary games the New Zealand Herald wrote a lengthy article on the personnel in each side. Manukau fielded “the same team as that last year. Its forwards included Jack Brodrick, Len Kawe, George (Tiki) Whye, Angus Gault, and new players Phillips and Meredith, a hooker... Puti Tipene (Steve) Watene will again lead the team... however, he may play in the forwards”. Jack Hemi appeared to have recovered from his leg injury of late last season, while Shalfoon, a newcomer to the team, showed a fine burst of speed on the wing. Hollis is a rugged type of five-eighths, and should get plenty of opportunities from Peter Mahima, who will be the other halfback”. Other backs include Jack (Joe) Broughton, an ex-Wairarapa representative three quarter. Richmond would field Jack Satherley at hooker, with Bill Telford, Harold Tetley, and Alf Broadhead in the side with Maurice Metcalfe showing good form with Leo Davis being another promising forward. Noel Bickerton and Roy Powell would be in the halves once again.
Marist had promoted a promising junior, Phil Donovan who was clever on attack. Benny Crocker was new at half back with Bill Glover again at fullback. Reginald Haslam was again in the side, with Fitzgerald, Clive Murdoch, and John Bakalich in the backs. Their forwards would be made up of John Anderson, Bill Breed, Kenneth Finlayson, and McGreal, along with Boyle and Donaldson who had been with the navy ship H.M.S. Philomel. Mount Albert had appeared to be the fittest looking team after the preliminary matches and would have a strong forward pack. Clarrie Petersen, a Hawke's Bay forward who was with Mount Albert had transferred to Ponsonby with his place being filled by Cliff Satherley of Richmond. Martin Hansen had been promoted from the 3rd grade side and Des Herring, Richard Shadbolt, Noel Bickerton, and Charles Allen were all available. The backs would like be made up of Ray Halsey, Wilf Hassan, and the three Schultz brothers (Len, Bill, and John).