1908
-
Balmain plays their first match in the NSWRFL premiership on Easter Monday, April 20, against Wests at Birchgrove Oval. The ‘Tiger stripes’ win 24-0.
-
The first team is: Joe Regent, George Wilcox, George Fitzpatrick, A.Walker, Alf Latta, Tommy O’Donnell, A.Bryant, W.Fisher, Ted McFadden, Alf Dobbs, Joe Apoloney, A.Ward and Robert Graves (c).
-
Winger Alf Latta scores the club’s first try and kicks the first goal.
-
Former Wallaby Bob Graves becomes the club’s first Australian Test representative when he is selected in both Tests against the Kiwis.
-
Balmain wins three games and draws one to miss the semi-finals in their debut season.
-
Alf ‘Bullock’ Dobbs joins Graves on the end of the season Kangaroo Tour.
Finish: 6th of nine teams
Most Games: Joe Apoloney, Bob Graves, Alf Latta, Ted McFadden, Tommy O’Donnell, Joe Regent, George Wilcox (9 games).
Most points: Alf Latta (32 points – 4 tries, 10 goals)*
Most tries: Bob Graves, Alf Latta (4 tries).
Representative players:
Australia: Bob Graves, Alf Dobbs.
NSW: Bob Graves, Fred Woolley.
1909
-
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway and Bob Graves play in all three Tests against New Zealand, with Graves becoming the club’s first Test captain when he leads Australia to victory in the First Test in Sydney.
-
Fullback Fred Wooley makes his debut for Australia in the First Test of the inaugural Trans-Tasman series.
-
Balmain wins eight consecutive matches to finish second on the competition ladder behind defending premiers Souths.
-
The day before the NSWRFL Final at the RAS Showground, Balmain protests the game being played as a ‘curtain-raiser’ to a planned Kangaroos v Wallabies match.
-
The Tigers do not show up for the final and Souths are awarded the premiership after they kick-off to a non-existent opposition.
Finish: Runners-up of eight teams.
Most Games: George Fitzpatrick, Ted McFadden, Joe Regent, Fred Woolley (11 games)
Most points: Joe Regent (30 points – 6 tries, 6 goals)
Most tries: ‘Pony’ Halloway (8 tries)*
Representative players:
Australia: Bob Graves, ‘Pony’ Halloway, Fred Woolley
NSW: Joe Apoloney, Bob Graves, ‘Pony’ Halloway, Fred Woolley
1910
-
In the opening match of the season against Souths at Birchgrove Oval, Balmain leads 5-0 before ‘Pony’ Halloway is forced from the field with a fractured collarbone. Souths go on to win the match 13-5.
-
The second round of the competition is postponed a week following the death of King Edward VII.
-
Wallaby convert Robert Robertson Craig joins the club and represents Australia and Australasia (which included two Kiwi players) against a touring England ‘Lions’ squad.
-
Balmain wins eight of 14 matches in a season where the eight teams play each other twice for the first time
-
Although the Tigers finish fourth, no semi-finals are held that year. Newtown and Souths play out a 4-all draw in the Final but Newtown is awarded the premiership as minor premiers.
Finish: 4th of eight teams
Most Games: Ted McFadden (13 games)
Most points: George Fitzpatrick (33 points – 1 try, 15 goals)*
Most tries: ‘Pony’ Halloway (6 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Robert Craig
Australasia: Robert Craig
NSW: Robert Craig, ‘Pony’ Halloway, Ted McGuiness, John Woodward.
1911
-
Balmain make a disastrous start to the 1911 season, losing six consecutive matches.
-
The club is coached by veteran Bob Graves, who is overlooked for rep duty that year, as are former internationals Tommy Anderson (Souths) and Jack Hickey (Glebe) who were also playing for the Tigers.
-
On August 5, four rounds before the end of the season, the ‘Australasian’ Kangaroos set sail for England with four Balmain players in their ranks – Robert Craig, former Wallaby teammate Charles McMurtrie, ‘Pony’ Halloway and teenager Charles ‘Chook’ Fraser.
-
At age 18, Fraser is the youngest ever Kangaroo tourist having made his debut for the club the previous year.
-
The Tigers win two of their remaining matches (against Norths and Souths) without their star rep players but finished with the wooden spoon for the first time in club’s history.
Finish: LAST of eight teams.
Most Games: B. Wright (14 games)
Most points: Jack Hickey (26 points – 13 goals)
Most tries: B. Wright (8 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Robert Craig, Charles Fraser, ‘Pony’ Halloway, Charles McMurtrie.
NSW: Robert Craig, Charles Fraser, Bob Graves, ‘Pony’ Halloway, Charles McMurtrie.
Metropolis: ‘Chook’ Fraser
1912
-
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway returns to Easts following the 1911-12 ‘Australasian’ Kangaroo Tour. His successor as Balmain halfback is local teenager Albert ‘Ricketty’ Johnston who goes on to have a long and influential carer in the game.
-
While Easts secure the premiership on a ‘first past the post’ basis, Balmain finishes midfield with seven wins and seven losses for the season.
-
The best win of the season is the 25-2 thrashing of Wests on a muddy Birchgrove Oval in July of that year.
-
Although the Tigers have little success in 1912, they defeat Annandale 17-5 in the first round of the City Cup knock-out before bowing out in the semi-final against Glebe, 11-3.
-
At the end of the season, three Balmain players are selected on the groundbreaking NSW Tour of New Zealand – George Cummins, ‘Chook’ Fraser and Charles McMurtrie.
Finish: 5th of eight teams.
Most Games: Albert Johnston, Frank Moore, Lyall Wall, John Woodward (14 games).
Most points: George Cummins (34 points – 2 tries, 14 goals)*
Most tries: Charles McMurtrie, Bill Hilliard (3 tries)
Representative players:
NSW Tour of New Zealand: George Cummins, Charles Fraser, Charles McMurtrie.
1913
-
Newtown ‘founding father’ Bill Noble joins the Tigers and represents NSW in his sole season with the club.
-
The Tigers win three and draw one of their 14 matches but score just 11 tries.
-
On May 17, Balmain play their first SCG match in front of 25,000 fans, going down to Souths, 16-10.
-
In July, Balmain’s stocks hit rock bottom when they are beaten by last-placed Annandale at Birchgrove Oval, 16-7. It was the Dales’ first win of the season.
-
The Tigers bounce back to record their best win of the season against close rivals Glebe, 10-6, at Birchgrove Oval. Both teams were vastly understrength because of mandatory vaccinations for smallpox.
-
The Tigers are knocked out of the first round of the City Cup competition by Souths, losing 12-10
-
For the second successive season, Balmain players tour New Zealand with the NSW squad – 31-year-old veteran Robert Craig and local junior ‘Rick’ Johnston.
Finish: 6th of eight teams.
Most Games: B. Wright (14 games)
Most points: George Cummins (24 points – 3 tries, 9 goals)
Most tries: Albert Johnston, Paul Burns (2 tries)
Representative players:
NSW: Bill Noble, Robert Craig, Albert Johnston
1914
-
Former New Zealand international centre Bill Kelly takes over as coach of the Tigers. Kelly goes on to represent his adopted country against England that year alongside teammates Robert Craig and ‘Chook’ Fraser.
-
Jack ‘Junker’ Robinson and Bill ‘Chang’ Shultz commence their rep careers at the Tigers with selection in the Metropolis (Sydney) team.
-
In August, England declares war on Germany and, as a result, Australia are also at war.
-
The Tigers are undefeated in the final seven rounds of competition, including a trio of draws in heavy mid-winter conditions, but Souths take the title as minor premiers.
-
Balman is beaten 8-3 by premiers Souths in the first round of the City Cup knock-out at the SCG.
Finish: 3rd of eight teams.
Most Games: Horace Balkwell, Jack Robinson, Bill Schultz, Lyall Wall (14 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (33 points – 3 tries, 11 goals)
Most tries: Bill Kelly (7 tries).
Representative players:
Australia: Robert Craig, Bill Kelly, ‘Chook’ Fraser
NSW: Robert Craig, Bill Kelly, ‘Chook’ Fraser
1915
-
Captain-coached by the great Bill Kelly, Balmain captures its first premiership when it finishes top of the NSWRL table. The Tigers win 12 matches and draw two to be crowned the League’s first undefeated premiers.
-
Balmain also becomes the first club to win premierships in all three grades.
-
The club is buoyed by the return of ‘Pony’ Halloway after three seasons with Easts. Late in competition, the club unearths another local talent when the versatile Jim Craig makes his debut on the wing.
-
Glebe was close rivals all year and finished just two points behind Balmain on the table. The Tigers only secured the minor premiership with a 12-2 win over Glebe in August and a hard-fought 7-4 win over Souths in the final match of the season, playing with just 11 men (no finals were played).
-
Balmain are beaten for the only time that season when Glebe knocks them out of the City Cup semi-final, 18-13, at the RAS Showground.
Finish: FIRST of eight teams.
Most Games: Horace Balkwell, Jack Blinco, George Cummins, ‘Chook’ Fraser, Albert Johnston, Bill Kelly, Jack Robinson, Bill Schultz, Lyall Wall (14 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (72 points – 8 tries, 24 goals)*
Most tries: ‘Junker’ Robinson (10 tries)*
Representative players:
NSW: Bill Kelly, ‘Chook’ Fraser, ‘Pony’ Halloway.
1916
-
Captain-coached by ‘Pony’ Halloway, Balmain retains the premiership and again wins titles in all three grades.
-
Charles ‘Chook’ Fraser scores a club record 94 points for the season – more than half his team’s 186 season points.
-
In the final match of the season regular against Easts at the RAS Showground, Balmain win 8-7 to grab a share of the competition lead.
-
With Balmain and Souths finishing equal first on the table, a hastily scheduled midweek final decides the premiership.
-
The Tigers win their first premiership final when the defeat Souths, 5-3, on Wednesday, July 26, at the SCG. ‘Pony’ Halloway scores Balmain’s only try and ‘Chook’ Fraser kicks the winning goal.
-
Balman fails to back up after a tough mid-week final and fall to Easts, 19-3, in the first round of the City Cup competition.
Finish: FIRST of eight teams.
Most Games: Alf Fraser, ‘Chook’ Fraser, ‘Pony’ Halloway, ‘Junker’ Robinson, ‘Chang’ Schultz (15 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (94 points – 8 tries, 35 goals)*
Most tries: ‘Chook’ Fraser (8 tries)
Representative players:
No rep matches played due to World War I.
1917
-
Balmain continues its stranglehold on the competition when the club records its third consecutive premiership success.
-
The Tigers lost only one match during the year but finished on top of the table with 26 points – some eight points ahead of nearest rivals Souths.
-
Having won three consecutive premierships, the club permanently retains the League trophy – the Hugh D. McIntosh Charity Shield.
-
Centre Jack ‘Junker’ Robinson crosses for a club record 14 tries in 14 matches.
-
Blond-haired teenager Reg ‘Whip’ Latta plays second row, centre, front row and hooker during his breakout season.
-
The Tigers score 269 points that season with just 61 points conceded.
-
No premiership final is required and the Tigers go on to beat Newtown 22-2 in the City Cup semi-final. The premiers prove too strong for the Rabbitohs in the final, 14-9, to register their first success in the knock-out competition.
Finish: FIRST of eight teams.
Most Games: Robert Craig, Alf Fraser, ‘Chook’ Fraser, Reg Latta, Jack Robinson, Bill Schultz, Lyall Wall (14 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (70 points – 8 tries, 24 goals)
Most tries: ‘Junker’ Robinson (14 tries)*
Representative players:
No rep matches played due to World War I.
1918
-
Balmain’s five losses for the season equals the number of losses in its three previous premiership-winning years. Not surprisingly, the club does not defend its premiership.
-
The loss of Albert Johnston (to Wests) and Jim Craig affects the flow of the champion Tigers backline, while an injury to Robert Craig midseason leaves a huge leadership hole on the forwards.
-
In June, the Tigers post a record 43-0 win over Annandale at Birchgrove Oval, scoring 11 tries and five goals.
-
A trio of losses in the second half of the competition sees Balmain lose touch with competition leaders Souths.
-
Balman is bundled out of the first round of the City Cup competition by Newtown, 10-4. Wests enjoys its first major success in League by going on to win the City Cup.
-
World War One finally ends on November 11 with the signing of the Armistice.
Finish: 4th of eight teams.
Most Games: Alf Fraser, ‘Chook’ Fraser, ‘Pony’ Halloway, R. Miller, George Potter, Bill Schultz (14 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (68 points – 7 tries, 23 goals)
Most tries: ‘Chook’ Fraser, George Potter (6 tries)
Representative players:
No rep matches played due to World War I.
1919
-
Balmain win their fourth premiership in five seasons. In the final match of the season, great goal-kicking by fullback Lyall Wall saw the Tigers beat close rivals Easts 13-4, to secure the minor premiership and the title (no finals were played).
-
With interstate matches returning after the end of the war and a mid-season tour by New Zealand (no Tests), ten Balmain players are selected to wear the sky-blue jersey in various matches for NSW.
-
Halfback ‘Pony’ Halloway captains Australia on the Kangaroos’ first ever tour of New Zealand. He is joined by teammates ‘Chook’ Fraser, Jack Robinson and Bill Schultz – the last two on international debut.
-
With four of their stars away with the Kangaroos, Balmain is beaten by Souths in the semi-final of the City Cup, 15-12.
Finish: FIRST of eight teams.
Most Games: Paddy Conaghan, George Potter, George Robinson, Horace Watt (14 games).
Most points: ‘Chook’ Fraser (58 points – 8 tries, 24 goals)
Most tries: Paddy Conaghan, George Potter (6 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: ‘Pony’ Halloway, ‘Chook’ Fraser, Reg Latta, Jack Robinson, Bill Schultz,
NSW: Paddy Conaghan, ‘Pony’ Halloway, ‘Chook’ Fraser, Reg Latta, George Potter, George Robinson, ‘Junker’ Robinson, Bill Schultz, Lyall Wall, Horrie Watt.
GALLERY
Balmain annual report, 1918 season
First grade premiers 1915
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway v Newtown, Birchgrove 1915
First grade premiers 1917
Four Kangaroos 1911 - 1912 - Charlie McMurtie, Bob Craig, Arthur" Pony" Halloway and Charles " Chook " Fraser
Birchgrove Oval in the clubs formative years
Balmain’s first team, 1908
Seven players involved in hat-trick of premiership 1915-1917. Back row: B. Schultz, E. Burnicle. Middle Row: A Fraser. R Latta, B Craig. Front Row: R Miller, H Watt.
Jack Robinson and Charles Fraser, 1915
Bob Craig 1908 to 1919
Balmain v Newtown, Erskineville Oval 1914
Bill Kelly 1914 - 1915