1990-1999 | Balmain Tigers 1908

1990 - 1999

Gallery

1990

Hooker Ben Elias leads NSW to success in the State of Origin series alongside clubmates Steve Roach, Paul Sironen and Bruce McGuire.
Long-serving captain Wayne Pearce farewells the Leichhardt Oval faithful in his final match at home against the Eels.
After defeating Newcastle in a midweek playoff for fifth (the Tigers’ third play-off in five seasons), Balmain lose to Manly in the preliminary minor semi-final, 16-0.
Steve Roach, Paul Sironen and Ben Elias are selected on the 1990 Kangaroos Tour.

Finish: 5th of sixteen teams
Most Games: Tim Brasher (24 games)
Most points: Tim Brasher (112 points – 1 try, 78 goals)
Most tries: Tim Brasher, Steve O’Brien (12 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Steve Roach, Paul Sironen, Ben Elias
New Zealand: Gary Freeman
NSW: Steve Roach, Ben Elias, Paul Sironen, Bruce McGuire.

1991

Grand slam winning rugby coach and broadcaster Alan Jones takes over as Balmain coach from Warren Ryan.
Balmain does not win a match in the opening eight rounds and fails to make the finals for the first time since 1984.
The loss of Wayne Pearce (retired), Kevin Harwood (retired), Bruce McGuire (Canterbury) and Ben Elias (injured) sees many younger players blooded by Jones.
Balmain take part in historic matches in Darwin (against Penrith) and Adelaide (against St George).
Garry Jack surpasses Keith Barnes’ career record when he becomes the first clubman to break the 200-game mark.

Finish: 12th of sixteen teams.
Most Games: Tim Brasher (22 games)
Most points: Brian Smith (108 points – 3 tries, 46 goals)
Most tries: James Grant, Will Robinson (10 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Steve Roach
New Zealand: Gary Freeman
NSW: Steve Roach, Ben Elias, Paul Sironen.

1992

The Tigers make a promising start in Alan Jones’ second year as coach with six wins from their first nine matches but are dogged by back luck and ill-discipline mid-season and again miss the finals
With Gary Freeman shifting to Easts, preferred halfback Brian Smith is injured and only plays in seven matches.
Tim Brasher makes a stunning rep debut for NSW and goes on to play fullback in Australia’s World Cup success in England.
It is the end of an era at Balmain when Garry Jack, Steve Roach and David Brooks farewell the Tigers. A season-high crowd of 17,365 fans pack Leichhardt Oval for the trio’s final game at home, which St George win 20-14.

Finish: 10th of sixteen teams.
Most Games: Tim Brasher, Paul Davis (21 games)
Most points: Tim Brasher (106 points – 16 tries, 21 goals)
Most tries: Tim Brasher (16 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Paul Sironen, Tim Brasher
NSW: Ben Elias, Paul Sironen, Tim Brasher.

1993

The signing of Penrith premiership-winner Mark Geyer is seen as a major coup for the Tigers. Geyer plays 13 matches but leaves at season’s end.
The Tigers make a horror start to the season with six straight losses and go on to win just one of their last eight.
Balmain’s are stripped of two competition points after their 28-12 win over Penrith for a minor replacement breach.
Paul Sironen is in rare form, however, starring in NSW’s Origin success and playing all three Tests against New Zealand. ‘Siro’ is also coach Jones’ choice as club captain over Ben Elias.
Alan Jones resigns after three years at the club and is replaced by Wayne Pearce.

Finish: 14th of sixteen teams.
Most Games: Tim Brasher, Paul Davis (21 games)
Most points: Brian Smith (50 points – 2 tries, 20 goals)
Most tries: Graham Lyons (10 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Paul Sironen
NSW: Tim Brasher, Ben Elias, Paul Sironen.

1994

With the competition expanding in 1995, Balmain changes its name to the Sydney Tigers (as do the Sydney Bulldogs and Sydney City Roosters).
With the club’s future uncertain, the Tigers play home matches in Perth (versus Penrith) and Melbourne (against Illawarra and Brisbane) in order to boost revenue and promote their brand.
In Wayne Pearce’s first season as coach, the Tigers finish with the wooden spoon for the fourth time in the club’s long history (also 1911, 1974 and 1981).
After representing NSW in his final season, Ben Elias retires after a record 233 first grade appearances for the club.
Paul Sironen and Tim Brasher are selected on the 1994 Kangaroos Tour.

Finish: LAST of sixteen teams.
Most Games: Tim Brasher, Steve Edmed (21 games).
Most points: Tim Brasher (88 points – 12 tries, 20 goals)
Most tries: Tim Brasher (12 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Tim Brasher, Paul Sironen
NSW: Tim Brasher, Ben Elias, Paul Sironen.

1995

In a twenty-team ARL competition dogged by off-field legal issues and the looming ‘Super League’ war, the Tigers turn their back on the rebel league.
The Tigers use Parramatta Stadium as a home base and adopt a new playing strip of black, white and gold horizontal bars.
Garry Jack returns after two seasons with English club Salford and reclaims his club record with 243 matches before retiring.
Tim Brasher flies the club flag at rep time and scores a try in four consecutive matches during the World Cup competition, culminating in Australia’s 16-8 win over England in the final.

Finish: 15th of twenty teams.
Most Games: Derek McVie, Darren Senter, Shane Walker (20 games).
Most points: Greg Barwick (75 points – 37 goals and a field goal)
Most tries: Tim Brasher (9 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Tim Brasher
NSW: Tim Brasher.

1996

With the Super League split being decided in the courts, the Tigers are competitive during the season and finish on the heels of the top eight teams.
Captained by former Cronulla prop Dan Stains, the club proves hard to beat at home but struggle to attract crowds to Parramatta Stadium. The season highlight is the 34-22 win against Auckland after the match is switched to Christchurch
Ellery Hanley returns to the club for a late career cameo and plays for two seasons.
Balmain club president Neil Whittaker replaces John Quayle as chief executive of the NSW and Australian Rugby Leagues.

Finish: 12th of twenty teams.
Most Games: Mark Stimson (22 games).
Most points: Ian Heron (82 points – 3 tries, 35 goals)
Most tries: William Kennedy (8 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Tim Brasher
NSW: Tim Brasher.

1997

In readiness for the divided 12-team ARL competition, the club reverts to its original name Balmain and returns to Leichhardt Oval. In their opening match of the season against Manly, the Tigers attract a bumper crowd of 18,247.
In an expanded seven-team finals series, Balmain finish eighth. The lack of a reliable goal-kicker proves the difference in several tight losses.
The final round 34-10 loss to eventual premiers Newcastle at Marathon Stadium costs the club a place in the finals.
Coached by Peter Camroux, the club’s Under 20s team wins the last major premiership in the club’s history. Dan Stains’ reserve grade side are beaten by Parramatta in their grand final.
In a major disappointment, the club fails to come to comes to terms with a new contract for rep star Tim Brasher who signs with Souths during the off-season.

Finish: 8th of twelve teams.
Most Games: Michael Gillett, William Kennedy, Darren Senter (22 games).
Most points: Dean Withers (102 points – 8 tries, 35 goals)
Most tries: William Kennedy (12 tries)
Representative players:
Australia: Tim Brasher
NSW: Tim Brasher.

1998

• Balmain take their place in the newly-formed 20-team NRL competition following the end of the Super League war. Wayne Pearce remains coach and Paul Sironen is captain.
• In July, the club is sitting just outside the top ten when they are thrashed 52-0 by Adelaide. The Tigers win one and draw one of their remaining seven matches to miss the finals.
• In his thirteenth season with the club, Paul Sironen sets a record 246 first grade games before announcing his decision to see out his career in English club football.
Finish: 13th of twenty teams.
Most Games: Michael Gillett, Mark O’Neill, Mark Stimson, Shane Walker, Jason Webber (24 games)
Most points: Shannon Nevin (103 points - 51 goals and 1 field goal).
Most tries: Laloa Milford (11 tries)
Representative players: Nil

1999

Balmain play their final season in the 17-team NRL competition following the axing of Adelaide, the Gold Coast and the formation of the St George Illawarra club.
In May, the Tigers’ 64-12 loss to Norths puts the writing on the wall that the foundation club must merge or die.
The West Tigers are born on 27 July 1999 when Balmain, after 92 seasons as a standalone club, enters into a joint venture with the Wests Magpies. Wayne Pearce is named inaugural coach.
Captained by Darren Senter, Balmain celebrates their final win at Leichhardt Oval with a 20-10 win over Parramatta.
Former Easts prop Jason Lowrie is the club’s final rep player when he plays for his native New Zealand against Australia.

Finish: 15th of seventeen teams.
Most Games: Jason Lowrie, Darren Senter (24 games).
Most points: Joel Caine (92 points – 4 tries, 38 goals)
Most tries: Chris Morcombe (9 tries)
Representative players:
New Zealand: Jason Lowrie

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