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Seasons In Review
(Contents)

Introduction

1907 - 1920

1921 - 1925

1926 - 1929

1930 -1934

1935 -1939

1940 -1944

1945 -1949

1950 -1955

1956 -1959

1960 -1963

1964 -1966

1967 -1969

1970 -1973

1974 -1979

1980 - 1984

1985 - 1989

1990 - 1993

1994 - 1995

1996

1997 - 1998

1999

2000 - 2002

2003 - 2005

2006

2007

St George Dragons Rugby League History
Since 1921 - Our Proud History
1956-1959
THE GOLDEN YEARS I: 1956 - 1966
Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere
The Team Song
"We are the St George boys,
We had a win today,
We are the boys you know of,
Who show them how to play,
No matter where you be,
The red and white you'll see,
Now aren't we a wonderful credit,
To our locality!"
Written in the late 1940s by Jack Mogridge (player 1928-29) and Owen Clarkson.
(The word 'win' would be replaced by 'game' on the rare occasion of a loss or draw)
When talking about St George Dragons from the years 1956-1966, it's difficult to know where to start. The Dragons became the greatest Rugby League club the world has ever seen when they went on a winning streak of 11 premierships in a row.
The events of the 1940s and up until 1955 had shown enough to suggest St George had a few premierships in them but no one imagined what was to follow.
For 11 years, the Mighty Dragons won every grand final.
They won the minor premiership over a 12 year period (1956-1967) with the only exception being 1961 when the NSWRL spilt the minor premiership prize money between Saints and Wests.
Ken Kearney Sports Magazine - St George rugby league history
Ken Kearney on cover Sports Mag, Aug 1956
In 1959, St George went through the season undefeated.
Strong in all grades, Saints won a number of club championships during this period and had premiers in all three grades in 1963.
It's difficult to pin point the reason why St George were able to pull off such a remarkable run of wins but much credit must go to the administrators. In particular, former player 'Fearless' Frank Facer who was elected as club secretary (CEO) in 1956. Frank reigned supreme in the great club until his death in 1978.
Facer was responsible for bringing many champion players into the team. Additionally, the club had the experience of secretary manager, Arthur 'Snowy' Justice, Treasurer, Glynn Price and club president, Len Kelly. And of course, there were the players, too many greats to list in summary. In the upcoming sections, we have included a few sound files from some of these players who spoke in later interviews with various tales about the greatness of St George during the 'Golden Years'.
The beginning of the dynasty
1956:
MINOR PREMIERS, GRAND FINALISTS, CHAMPIONS
Team 1956 - St George rugby league history
THE 1956 DRAGONS

Back Row: Tommy Ryan, Bryan Orrock, Norm Provan, Merv Lees, Kevin O'Brien, Kevin Brown

Front Row: Bob Bugden, Billy Wilson, Peter Carroll, Ken Kearney (c), Doug Fleming, Ross Kite, Harry Melville.

Ball Boy: W. Green

Click pic for larger image (42Kb)
Sydney Cricket Ground, 11 August 1956: St George defeat South Sydney 21-18 and secure the minor premiership for 1956.
SAINTS POWER THROUGH SEMIS TO WIN THIRD TITLE
Sydney Cricket Ground, 8 September 1956: St George defeated Balmain 30-25 in the major semi on 25 August. The same two teams met again in the Grand Final with the Dragons overcoming a determined Tigers outfit 18-12 to win.
VICTORY WITH ONLY 12 MEN!

The match got off to a bad start for the Dragons when centre, Merv Lees had to leave the field with a broken collarbone. In 1956, there was no replacement rule and St George had to play out most of the match with one man short.
Despite this, Saints scored four tries and held Balmain at bay long enough to win the Grand Final - an indication of how great the 1956 team was.
1956 GRAND FINAL FULLTIME: Saints 18 Balmain 12.
Scorers (St George) Tries: Kevin O'Brien 1, Bob Bugden 1, Kevin Brown 1, Harry Melville 1. Goals: Doug Fleming 3
Referee: D. Lawler

Crowd: 61,987
The player's man of the match was given to given to Billy Wilson who moved from the pack to hold up fort in the centres. 'Captain Blood' as he was known (because of the amount of blood he spilled) was himself injured with stretched ligaments, much to the delight of the Balmain centres who saw Wilson limp into position as Merv Lees was helped from the field.
As is turned out, Wilson was a hero in the centres and more than keeping his line intact, he also made a numerous breaks setting up a number of raids for his outside men.
1956 Grand Final Norm Provan - St George rugby league historyBilly Wilson took up the captain-coach job with the Wagga Magpies in 1957 but would later return to Saints in 1958.
FLEMING TOP POINT SCORER
Saints' top point scorer for 1956 was Doug Fleming with a season tally of 171 points (3 tries, 81 goals).
The 1956 Grand Final win was the first of many for Test forward, Norm 'Sticks' Provan.


Norm Provan (left) shows his worth by running for 15 yards at a broken defensive line. He looks to be covered and at 20 yards out he is attracting plenty of attention. But a moment later and with gaps opening, he passes to prop Kevin Brown (far right in pic) who makes another 15 yard dash to score.
1956
NSWRL First Grade
Ladder

(top 4 in semis, playoff for 4th)
St George p 27
Balmain 26
Souths 23
Newtown 22
Wests 22
Manly 17
Canterbury 12
Norths 11
Easts 11
Parramatta
9
p = Season Premiers

Saints 1956
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
13
4
1
Points For 398
(1st best attack)
Points Against 239
(3rd best defence)
MP Standing
1st

(10 teams)

FINALS
W
L
2
0
Points For 48
Points Against 37
Final Standing
1st

TOTALS
20 matches
W
L
D
15
4
1
Points For 446
88 tries
91 goals
Points Against 276
42 tries
75 goals
COACH SACKED!
Victorious St George coach, Norm Tipping was ruthlessly sacked in the off season as club officials looked to 'Killer' Ken Kearney to make a return as captain coach in 1957.
Tipping had earlier coached Saints in their 1953 Grand Final loss. Kearney then led Saints as captain-coach in 1954 and 1955. He was subsequently replaced by Tipping in 1956.
Tipping determined his strategy on the backs while Kearney centred his strategy on forward play. Both men were at loggerheads in the 1956 season. Club officials moved to rectify the situation with Tipping being sacked after falling out of favour with new club secretary, Frank Facer.
1957:
DRAGONS CRUSH MANLY
click here 1957 premiers - St George rugby league history1957 GRAND FINAL FULLTIME:
Saints 31 Manly 9

Scorers (St George) Tries: Brian 'Poppa' Clay 2, Tommy Ryan 1, Jack Fifield , Eddie Lumsden 1. Goals: Harry Bath 8.
Referee: D. Lawler
Crowd: 54,399
(click on the pic for larger image, 87Kb)
TITLE DEFENCE NEVER IN DOUBT
Sydney Cricket Ground, 21 September 1957: St George have slaughtered Manly in the 1957 Grand Final 31-9 to record their fourth premiership and second in a row.

Saints had earlier dealt with Manly in the major semi on the 7th September at the SCG, winning 21-7.

Minor premiers and club champions, Saints were unstoppable in 1957 finishing on 30 points, seven points clear of second-placed Manly on the ladder.
Tommy Ryan - St George rugby league historyTOMMY RYAN TOP TRY SCORER: In 1957, Winger/centre, Tommy Ryan (pic right) set a new club try scoring record with 26 tries for the season.
NEW SIGNINGS: Players in their first season with the Dragons included lock forward Brian  'Poppa' Clay (nicknamed because of his bald pate), right winger Eddie Lumsden and Harry Bath.
'The Old Fox', Bath came to Saints with a wealth of experience having played in two winning Balmain Grand Final teams in 1946 and 1947. The goal-kicking burly forward played in England where he played over 500 games with Warrington leading them to Challenge Cup victory. In 1957 he returned to Australia joining Saints with a reputation that went before him.
DOUG FLEMING RETIRES: 1957 was the final year for fullback, Doug Fleming who had lost his position to Brian Graham. Doug's record includes 120 games, 12 tries, 281 goals (including 1 field goal) for a club record total of 598 points. In 1949, Fleming's career with Saints began when he just 19 years old when he starred in the club's second premiership victory.  

RECORD PROFITS FOR 1957: In other news, Saints' treasury reports a 400% increase in revenue on the previous year.
THE 'KILLER' INSTINCT
With captain-coach, Ken Kearney at the helm it is little wonder that Saints defended their premiership crown in such convincing fashion. In his first year back as leader, 'Killer' Ken Kearney instigated his own strategy of 'limited tackle' football where the opposing team would sometimes be given the ball by hooker Kearney in the scrum.

The opposing pack would find themselves in rare possession only to beaten into submission by an uncompromising St George 'brick wall' of defence.
Killer Ken Kearney - St George rugby league historyUsing his knowledge of English training methods, Kearney had also introduced circuit training (station to station training by the clock) making St George smarter, stronger and faster than any other team in the competition.

The Grand Final began with Saints pounding the (then called) 'Seagulls' with some heavy tackling. In particular, 

Brian Clay targeted Manly's Rex Mossop often trapping the star forward with the ball. 'Poppa' Clay had a fearsome reputation in defence and at one point in the match he knocked the Manly captain, George Hunter senseless. The match was locked at 4-all for 30 minutes but just after half time, the flood gates opened following a magnificent run up the centre by 2nd rower, Norm Provan.

(Picture left): Ken Kearney is chaired off the SCG after Saints' 1957 Grand Final victory. Kearney led St George brilliantly in their 31-9 demolition of Manly.

1957
NSWRL First Grade
Ladder

(top 4 in semis)
St George p 30
Manly 23
Souths 22
Wests 21
Norths 19
Balmain 18
Newtown 18
Easts 18
Canterbury
7
Parramatta
4
p = Season Premiers

Saints 1957
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
15
3
0
Points For 417
(1st best attack)
Points Against 232
(3rd best defence)
MP Standing
1st

(10 teams)

FINALS
W
L
2
0
Points For 52
Points Against 16
Final Standing
1st

TOTALS
20 matches
W
L
D
17
3
0
Points For 469
93 tries
95 goals
Points Against 248
38 tries
67 goals
1958:
SAINTS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW
1958 GRAND FINAL FULLTIME:
Saints 20 Wests 9
Scorers (St George) Tries: Norm Provan 2, Bob Bugden 1, Eddie Lumsden 1.

Goals: Harry Bath 4.
D. Lawler
Crowd: 62,283
1958 premiers - click here - St George rugby league history
(click on pic for larger image, 86Kb)
Sydney Cricket Ground, 13 September 1958: Saints won their third grand final in a row defeating Western Suburbs 20-9 in a match that was described by the Sydney Morning Herald as the most 'savage' game of the season. The premiership win followed a scare in the major semi (30 Aug) when Saints were well beaten by Wests 34-10. Saints then had to play a sudden death preliminary final against Balmain (6Sept) which they won 26-21. The Dragons finished the year as minor premiers, eight points clear of second place.
Earlier in the season, Saints had defeated Wests twice including a 36-5 thrashing at Kogarah (12Apr) in a match which left the Wests' camp in awe of the Dragons. But Wests were becoming quick learners and even though they were considered as mere pretenders to the premiership throne, there would many occasions when they would give Saints a fright.
The major semi in 1958, won by Wests, was one of those occasions. Wests switched big centre Peter Dimond to five eighth where he dominated and mauled Saints' five eighth Peter Carroll. Saints' backline was starved and Wests' forwards easily tamed the St George pack. Saints were done over by a more aggressive and determined
opposition. Wests were in the Grand Final and they looked the goods.
Saints made easy work of Balmain in the Preliminary Final and set to work on how to deal with Wests in the Grand Final. In an effort to negate Dimond, Saints' dropped Carroll and selected lock, Brian Clay at five eighth. For 80 minutes, Brian Clay was all over Peter Dimond who ended the match dazed and bleeding.
A record crowd showed up expecting to see Saints cop another pasting but instead they saw a furious St George team lay into Wests from the opening whistle with high tackles and punching appearing to be the order of the day.
Saints' players were constantly being cautioned and at times lucky not to be sent off. Wests were unable to counter this onslaught which saw a ruthless Dragons' defence advancing upon them at every opportunity.
Saints won the fight, and the match.
The only thing they lost was the penalty count, 17-7.

Other highlights
1958 Grand Final - St George rugby league history Other highlights of 1958 included the return of 'Captain Blood', Billy Wilson. The competition top goal scorer was Harry Bath who also smashed the club's point scoring record with 225 points for the season (3 tries, 108 goals) and Eddie Lumsden was the competition's top try scorer (18 tries).
1958 was the final year for Kevin O'Brien who came to Saints in 1954. In that time, the utility back played 65 games and scored 38 tries, 16 goals + 1 field goal (148pts). He played centre in the '56 Grand Final and represented NSW as well as touring with the '56 Kangaroos playing in 11 tour matches.
1958
NSWRL First Grade
Ladder

(top 4 in semis, playoff for 4th)
St George p 32
Wests 24
Manly 23
Newtown 20
Balmain 20
Norths 18
Easts 16
Souths 12
Canterbury
9
Parramatta
6
p = Season Premiers

Saints 1958
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
16
2
0
Points For 480
(1st best attack)
Points Against 187
(1st best defence)
MP Standing
1st

(10 teams)

FINALS
W
L
2
1
Points For 56
Points Against 64
Final Standing
1st

TOTALS
21 matches
W
L
D
18
3
0
Points For 536
106 tries
109 goals
Points Against 251
37 tries
70 goals
FRANK BURGE DIES
Frank Burge - St George rugby league historyFrank Burge
, aged 64 has passed away after suffering a heart attack while watching a Newtown v Norths match at Henson Park. 'Chunky' played for St George in 1927 as captain coach leading the team to the final and eventual runners up. Widely regarded as one of the great try scoring forwards of his time, Frank Burge still holds the record of the most tries in a club match when he crossed eight times for Glebe in 1920.
Remembered as being professional, innovative and dedicated, Frank Burge also holds the record for the most career tries for a forward with 146 first grade tries.
1959:
THE UNBEATABLE 59ers
Unbeatables 1959 - St George rugby league history
1959 DRAGONS (UNDEFEATED)
Click pic for larger image (42Kb)
Johnny Raper, Monty Porter, Norm Provan, Peter Provan, Brian Messiter, Geoff Weekes, Billy Wilson, Harry Bath, Ken Kearney (c), Brian Clay, Eddie Lumsden, Bob Bugden, Brian Graham.
Sydney Cricket Ground, 15 August, 1959: In a season where St George went through undefeated, the Mighty Dragons have capped off a perfect record with a 20-0 thrashing of Manly in the Grand Final.
The match was never in doubt as Saints' forwards demolished the Manly pack, paving the way for the backline.
Saints finished the season as minor premiers with no other team getting close. After 18 rounds, Saints had scored an average of over 30 points per match and conceded an average of 10 points. The scoring tally increased even more by full time, Grand Final day with Saints scoring a mammoth 605 points for the year, with 215 against. With the best attacking and best defensive record in the competition, Saints slaughtered many teams in 1959 often racking up points of 40+ with two scores of 60+. Their worse result was a 20-all draw against Balmain in round 11 (30May) at Kogarah.
BATH, MOSSOP SENT OFF
1959 GRAND FINAL FULLTIME: Saints 20 Manly 0
Scorers (St George) Tries: Eddie Lumsden 3, Brian Graham 1, Geoff Weekes 1, Norm Provan 1. Goals: Harry Bath 1.
Referee: D. Lawler
Crowd: 49,457
In the lead up to the Grand Final, rumours were circulating that Manly's Rex Mossop was carrying a broken cheekbone. From the match outset, Saints' forwards took turns at testing Mossop's head. Harry Bath gave Mossop particular attention. For most of the match, the Manly forward was copping a hammering. Finally, out of frustration, Mossop retaliated standing on Bath's head.
Inevitably a brawl broke out between Bath and Mossop and the referee, Darcy Lawler sent them both off. In the meantime, Saints' forwards were steam rolling Manly and the red and white backs were cutting loose. Winger Eddie Lumsden had a magnificent match, scoring a hat trick of tries.

Norm Provan - St George Dragons rugby leagueNorm Provan speaks - click hereWAV (522 Kb) Click on the speaker and hear Norm Provan talk about the undefeated team of 1959.


Saints Beer Poster - St George rugby league historySeven Saints selected on Kangaroo Tour
In what was an amazing club achievement, Raper, Gasnier, Lumsden, Wilson, Bugden*, Clay and Riley were all selected for Australia. Norm Provan would have been selected as well but he withdrew due to business & family reasons.
*A local junior, Bob Bugden scored three tries on Test debut in France.

The 1959 team created a sign post in the history of StGeorge. Only five teams have gone through a premiership unbeaten before; Balmain 1915 (14 rounds, no semis), Norths 1921 (9 rounds, no semis), Souths 1925 (13 rounds, no semis) and Easts 1936 (15 rounds+2 semis) & 1937 (9 rounds, no semis). While the all conquering St George team of 1959 boasted seven representatives on the Kangaroo tour of that year, it was generally considered that at least two other players missed out simply because they were surrounded by so many great players. If they were playing for other clubs, it is almost certain that forwards, Monty Porter and Harry Bath would have joined the Kangaroo tour.
1959
(top 4 in semis)
St George p 35
Wests 27
Manly 22
Newtown 20
Norths 18
Souths 18
Balmain 13
Easts 12
Canterbury 11
Parramatta   4
(18 ROUNDS)
Saints '59 record
Win    Loss Draw
17W, 0L, 1D
Pts for/against
For 550
(1st)

Against 190 (1st)
Saints 1958
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
17
0
1
Points For 550
(1st best attack)
Points Against 190
(1st best defence)
MP Standing
1st

(10 teams)

FINALS
W
L
2
0
Points For 55
Points Against 25
Final Standing
1st

TOTALS
20 matches
W
L
D
19
0
1
Points For 605
135 tries
100 goals
Points Against 215
35 tries
55 goals
THE GREAT HARRY BATH
Harry Bath - St George rugby league history
Without a doubt the best forward never to represent his country, Harry Bath (pic right) played his final game for the Dragons in the 1959 Grand Final. 'The Old Fox' came to Saints in 1957 after already making a name for himself at Balmain and in England where he played nine seasons, leading Warrington to victory in front of a world record crowd of 106,000 in 1950. Harry played 60 games for the Dragons scoring 510 points (10 tries, 240 goals). At the age of 35, he was overlooked for Kangaroo selection and retired from playing. (see also 1977: 'Bath's Babes')

REG GASNIER
Reg Gasnier - St George rugby league historyReg Gasnier was initially graded in Saints' lower grades in 1957. The centre's talent was evident from the outset and Saints' officials tried unsuccessfully to force Reg into first grade in 1958 but he was determined to wait until he was ready.
Still, Saints kept a close eye on Gasnier.

In 1959, first grade centre, Johnny Riley broke club rules and spiked himself while training in running shoes. The injury to Riley saw Gasnier called into first grade.

He  was heavily marked from the outset but he received excellent service from five eighth, Brian Clay and the speed of Gasnier made him unstoppable.

In '59, he represented NSW, Australia (Tests v NZ) and toured England & France as a Kangaroo.

Unfortunately, Reg was injured just prior to the '59 Grand Final and was unable to play.
John Raper - St George rugby league history
JOHN RAPER
Johnny Raper was a reluctant starter for the Saints. He was offered more money than he hoped for but he was loyal to Newtown. The tackling lock had already made a name for himself with the Bluebags who had lied about Raper's residential address to keep him under the strict district football rules. After talking to club officials in 1957 at the old club (cnr Rocky Point Rd & Princes Hwy) he was convinced that he should give St George a go. The St George method of running their organisation was a new world to Raper. He set up 'residence' in the St George district for the mandatory 12 months and in 1959 he became a Dragon.
John Raper speaks - click hereWAV (739 Kb) Click on the speaker and hear John Raper talk about joining Saints.




Norm Provan Discounts - St George rugby league history
NORM PROVAN DISCOUNTS
One player who missed out on the Kangaroo tour by choice was Norm Provan who was getting busy setting up his family's future. Norm Provan's store in Rockdale was popular amongst shoppers looking for the modern appliances of the new age. The store was to later develop into a small chain of retail outlets called 'Norm Provans Discounts'. Norm became a familiar face on TV ads in later years promoting his various discount specials.


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