| | | St George Dragons Rugby League History
Since
1921 - Our Proud History
1956-1959 |
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THE
GOLDEN YEARS I: 1956 - 1966
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Don’t
let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere
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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)
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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 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'. |
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The
beginning of the dynasty
1956:
MINOR
PREMIERS, GRAND FINALISTS, CHAMPIONS
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)
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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.
 Billy
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
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p = Season Premiers
Saints 1956
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
Points For 398
(1st best attack)
Points Against 239
(3rd best defence)
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MP Standing
1st
(10 teams)
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FINALS
Points For 48
Points Against 37
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Final Standing
1st
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TOTALS
20 matches
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Points For 446
88 tries
91 goals
Points Against 276
42 tries
75 goals |
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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
 1957
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 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.
 Using
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.
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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
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p = Season Premiers
Saints 1957
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
Points For 417
(1st best attack)
Points Against 232
(3rd best defence)
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MP Standing
1st
(10 teams)
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FINALS
Points For 52
Points Against 16
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Final Standing
1st
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TOTALS
20 matches
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Points For 469
93 tries
95 goals
Points Against 248
38 tries
67 goals |
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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
(click on pic for larger image, 86Kb)
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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
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
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p = Season Premiers
Saints 1958
AFTER 18 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
Points For 480
(1st best attack)
Points Against 187
(1st best defence)
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MP Standing
1st
(10 teams)
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FINALS
Points For 56
Points Against 64
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Final Standing
1st
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TOTALS
21 matches
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Points For 536
106 tries
109 goals
Points Against 251
37 tries
70 goals |
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FRANK
BURGE DIES
 Frank
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
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.
  WAV
(522 Kb) Click
on the speaker and hear Norm Provan talk about the undefeated
team of 1959.
 Seven
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.
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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
Points For 550
(1st best attack)
Points Against 190
(1st best defence)
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MP Standing
1st
(10 teams)
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FINALS
Points For 55
Points Against 25
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Final Standing
1st
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TOTALS
20 matches
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Points For 605
135 tries
100 goals
Points Against 215
35 tries
55 goals |
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THE
GREAT HARRY BATH
 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 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
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.
WAV
(739 Kb) Click on the speaker and hear John Raper talk
about joining Saints.
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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Seasons
In Review
