THE GOLDEN YEARS III: 1964 - 1966 1964: Graeme Langlands scores another spectacular try. Click on the pic for larger image (60Kb) SAINTS RECORD BUMPER YEAR AT GATE After 18 rounds of football, Saints were again minor premiers. 1964 was huge year for the Dragons financially as well. An average of 20,000 spectators came to see St George play each week making the red and whites the most followed Rugby League club in the world. Saints lost just three matches in 1964. The first being to Norths, then later in the season they were defeated by the  Ken Kearney coached Parramatta Eels and the Harry Bath coached Balmain Tigers. Johnny 'Chook' Raper gives Parramatta's Barry Rushworth a lesson in cover defence. Graeme 'Changa' Langlands had a fantastic season and seemed to save his best for the new pretenders, Parramatta. After going down to the Eels in round eight (5-2), Saints returned fire to thrash the western Sydney side by 36-0 in round 17 with Langlands scoring three tries and six goals. In the major semi final, Saints humiliated Parramatta 42-0 with Changa scoring three tries and kicking nine goals. Parramatta's policy was to try and bash St George out of the match, the Dragons response was to show no mercy and pile on as many points as possible. DRAGONS SEE OFF WESTS Kogarah Jubilee Oval, 22 August 1964: St George have defeated Western Suburbs 37-10 effectively 'seeing off' their old rivals. Known as 'the millionaires', Wests had spent a fortune on players in recent years but were unsuccessful in their efforts to topple St George and claim a title. Season '64 was an unhappy one for Wests as injuries took their toll and the Magpies failed to make the semis. BRIAN GRAHAM DEPARTS 1964 was the final season in the red and white for St George fullback, Brian Graham (pic left). Graham will go on to play with Newtown from 1965-67. In late 1962 and throughout 1963, Graham had his career with Saints curtailed after being transferred to Korea as part his oil company work*. Graham joined Saints in 1955 for a season and resumed playing again in 1957, playing in five grand final wins. A NSW rep in 1959, Graham was the Dragon's top first grade point scorer in 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1964, surpassing Doug Fleming's point scoring record. Brian played in 114 games for the Dragons in first grade. He scored 20 tries and 287 goals with Saints for a total of 634 first grade points. In addition he played 58 games in Reserve Grade scoring 228 points for a combined total of 172 games and 862 points. Graham would have scored more if not for work commitments and Harry Bath being the main goal kicker in the early part of the Golden Years. A popular fullback, Graham brought a roar of approval from the Kogarah crowd when in 1964, he drop-kick a penalty goal from half-way. The departure of Brian Graham opens an opportunity for newcomer, Graeme Langlands. *Not Papua New Guinea with a banking job as noted in some publications.

1964 NSWRL First Grade Ladder (top 4 in semis) St George p 30 Parramatta 28 Balmain 24 Norths 23 Souths 22 Newtown 18 Wests 17 Manly 11 Easts 4 Canterbury 3 p = Season Premiers Saints 1964 AFTER 18 ROUNDS Minor Premiership Won-Lost-Draw W L D 15 3 0 Points For 393 (1st best attack) Points Against 154 (1st best defence) MP Standing 1st (10 teams) FINALS W L 2 0 Points For 53 Points Against 6 Final Standing 1st TOTALS 20 matches W L D 17 3 0 Points For 446 84 tries 97 goals Points Against 160 18 tries 53 goals

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But to Balmain's horror, Graeme Langlands stretched over the touchline, and caught the ball with his boots only an inch or two inside the field of play. The champion fullback then raced cross-field towards the Balmain line and then sent a cut-out pass to his soul mate, Billy Smith 25 yards out from the try line. The centre made further inroads before channeling a pass to Johnny King who sped down the left wing for 20 yards to score a diving try. This was the only try of the match with all of Balmain's points coming from great Southern Division and Wollongong fullback, 'Golden Boots' Keith Barnes.

Norm charges forward in 1965

Full time

Norm Provan & Kevin Ryan are swamped

NEW SIGNINGS: Ken Maddison became hugely popular with the young supporters of Rugby League in 1965-66. He featured often on 'footy card' swaps of the time. On the real football field he gained recognition as a fast, robust and powerful player who could play in the centres or in the forwards. He went on to be an international and played in four Tests.

1966: IAN WALSH NEW CAPTAIN-COACH Sydney Cricket Ground, 2 April 1966: The Dragons run on for their first game of the season against a strong Balmain team. St George have a new captain-coach in Test hooker, Ian Walsh (pic right). 'Abdul', a courageous player and widely regarded as the best hooker forward in the world got the top job unopposed. Outsiders were surprised that neither John Raper or Reg Gasnier lobbied for the job but in reality, most insiders felt that the St George reign was set to come to an end in 1966. There was a reluctance to preside over the demise. There were a number of reasons for this pessimism. Click on pic for larger image Perhaps the main pointer being the retirement of former skipper and coach, Norm Provan who cast a shadow bigger than the game itself during the Dragon's decade of dominance. Other reasons included the number of players who were playing in their testimonial year or were just a season or two away from retirement. The team was getting older and the depth just didn't seem to be there anymore with a number of lower grade players finding comfortable first grade spots with other clubs. There was also a feeling that the other clubs had caught up to St George in terms of fitness, game plans and training techniques. Just as in 1965, Saints looked to be at the end of their run. Their opening round match typified this pessimism when they were beaten 19-16 by Balmain. REG GASNIER OUT FOR SEASON Cumberland Oval, 9 April 1966: In a major blow to the Dragons 1966 campaign, Reg Gasnier has torn a cruciate knee ligament while playing Parramatta at Cumberland Oval. He was later ruled out for the season. In fact, Gasnier's playing future was put in serious doubt with two specialists advising that he risked permanent damage. Saints managed a 12-all draw against an ineffective Parramatta team and after two rounds, there appeared to be disharmony in the St George ranks. In the weeks that followed, Ian Walsh had fall outs with club officials and team mates. Billy Smith protested being moved into the centres and John Raper resented being moved into the front line defence because according to Walsh, he was 'getting too old' to be a cover defender. Walsh, as captain-coach also had a vote on the selection committee and in that role wielded considerable influence. Players who didn't do as they were told were threatened with demotion to reserve grade. A number of sports commentators and League followers had written the Dragons off. Despite these upheavals, Walsh had the support of Frank Facer. The skipper was also unwavering and determined in his leadership. From the outset of season 1966, he enforced a tough training regime on the players. Walsh commissioned the skills of Changi survivor, pep talker and physical fitness expert, George Daldry to get the men into shape. The team soon hit form and remained the front runners for the rest of the season. St George did indeed string a few great wins together in 1966. After a slow start, Saints thrashed the season's battlers, Easts 26-0. Graeme Langlands was on hand to destroy Wests 30-2. He was magnificent again against Manly (34-15). Similar score lines were also dealt to Souths and Newtown.

1966 NSWRL First Grade Ladder (top 4 in semis, playoff for 4th) St George p 27 Balmain 24 Manly 22 Newtown 20 Wests 20 Souths 18 Parramatta 18 Canterbury 16 Norths 15 Easts 0 p = Season Premiers Saints 1966 AFTER 18 ROUNDS Minor Premiership Won-Lost-Draw W L D 13 4 1 Points For 331 (1st best attack) Points Against 156 (1st best defence) MP Standing 1st (10 teams) FINALS W L 2 0 Points For 33 Points Against 6 Final Standing 1st TOTALS 20 matches W L D 15 4 1 Points For 364 68 tries 80 goals Points Against 162 18 tries 54 goals

SAINTS BEST IN 1966 One of Saints' best for 1966 was second rower, Dick Huddart (pic right) who did his best to put to rest the notion that Saints' were finished without Norm Provan. Combining with John Raper and Ian Walsh, the ex-British forward often ripped through the opponent's defensive line. The younger players also had a tremendous year. Graeme Langlands and Billy Smith (both 23 -years-old) where the star players of the year and natural selections for Australia in the 1966 Test series against Great Britain. Ian Walsh, John Raper and Kevin Ryan also gained selection as did Johnny King  who made a remarkable comeback to football after nearly severing his foot following an accident with a lawn mower.

SAINTS MAKE IT NUMBER 11
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Sydney Cricket Ground, 17 September 1966: The Dragons completely outclassed Balmain in the 1966 Grand Final, winning 23-4. Balmain took an early lead after Keith Barnes kicked a penalty goal but Saints Brian Clay struck back when he set up a movement which led to a try to Bruce Pollard.

1966 DRAGONS Click on the pic for names and larger image (59Kb)

1966 GRAND FINAL FULLTIME: Saints 23 Balmain 4 Scorers (St George) Tries: Bruce Pollard 1, Dick Huddart 1, Kevin Ryan 1. Goals: Graeme Langlands 7. Crowd: 61,129

The turning point of the match came soon after when Ian Walsh  and Dick Huddart put on a set move as the Tiger's defence rushed up too early. Walsh busted through the line and with only the fullback to beat passed the ball to Huddart who raced 30 yards to score. Minutes later, Billy Smith sliced through and found Johnny Raper who got to the Balmain 25 yard line before finding prop, Kevin Ryan in support. It was a spectacular run from the evergreen forward who out-raced his pursuers before diving through the air to score and effectively put the match beyond doubt.

PICTURES FROM THE '66 GRAND FINAL To view video captures of the 1966 Grand Final, click here (109Kb). WAV (969 Kb) Click speaker to hear the roar of the crowd, fulltime hooter & the marchin' song.

Also having a strong game was Graeme Langlands who kicked seven goals.
By the time the fulltime hooter sounded, St George had won their 11th Grand Final in a row thereby extending their incredible run of premierships and extending their world record for the most consecutive premiership victories for a professional sporting team.

DEPARTING PLAYERS
Kevin Ryan took up the offer to captain coach Canterbury in 1967 after he was unable to comes to terms with St George. The law student was regarded as one of the toughest men to ever play the game of Rugby League. A dual international (League and Union), 'Kandos' was also a Queensland Amateur Boxing Champion who trailed for the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Kevin represented NSW (1962-64, 7 games) and toured with the Kangaroos (1963-64, 2 Tests). In all, the the rock hard forward played 106 games for the Dragons scoring 19 tries.
Ryan was to become a practicing lawyer in 1970 and then held the seat of St George from 1976-84 in the Wran Labor Government.
He went on to become the president of the Players Association and in 1991 won an important court victory for the players to defeat the NSWRL draft system.

Monty Porter signed with the new Cronulla Sutherland Sharks club who are scheduled to be in the first grade in 1967.
The prop come second row forward was an integral part of the St George first graders. Originally from Tamworth, Monty also played for Southern Division club, Thirroul. He also played with Wests in 1955 before finding a home with St George. In 1960, he was a rep for NSW.
From 1958-1965, Monty Porter made 119 appearances for St George (118 games + 1 replacement), scoring 13 tries.

Eddie Lumsden originally from Kurri Kurri, first came to Saints in 1957.
The best winger of his time, Eddie was the competition's leading try scorer in 1958 and 1962 and often notched up a hat trick of tries throughout his career (including three tries in the 1959 Grand Final).

NEW SIGNINGS BARRY BEATH - a quick and robust forward who hailed from Eugowra (as did Ian Walsh). Barry had already represented Australia in the 1965 tour of New Zealand. DENIS PRESTON - a goal kicking winger was also signed to replaced the outgoing Eddie Lumsden.

A NSW rep and Test player, Lumsden retired from Rugby League in 1966 with 136 tries and 17 goals in 158 games for the Dragons. He later got involved in League administration and eventually became an Australian selector.

Robin Gourley, a former Irish rugby union international forward came to Saints in 1963.
He left the club after 1966 Grand Final and played in the bush after moving to Wauchope. In all, Gourley played 35 games for the Dragons scoring seven tries.



GEORGE CARSTAIRS DIES
The sad news of the passing of George Carstairs reached St George Leagues Club in November 1966.
'Bluey' Carstairs played 79 games for Saints between 1921-29. A local junior from Marist Brothers, Carstairs scored 11 tries and 79 goals for a first grade career total of 191 points.
He has the honour of being the first ever St George player to score a first grade try when he crossed in 1921 against Glebe. In the same year Carstairs became the first ever St George junior to play for Australia when he was selected on the 1921-22 Kangaroo tour, playing in two Tests.
George was also at the centre of an all in brawl in a 1928 match which became known as the infamous 'Earl Park Riot'.
A digger in both World Wars, Carstairs' death was prematurely reported whilst he was fighting in the Middle East in World War Two.

THE END OF THE GOLDEN YEARS 1966 marked the end of St George's golden reign when they won 11 premierships in a row, a world record in first grade for an elite team in any sport, and an achievement that will most likely never be equaled. This remarkable run was achieved at a time when winning a rugby league grand final was harder than ever before. Souths, Balmain and Easts have claims to being great clubs of the 20th century and their respective records speaks volumes. But a quick scan of the statistics will show that they won the majority of their premierships in less competitive times and often when there wasn't a semi-final system in place. From 1956-1966, the St George Dragons were a class above the competition. How they maintained their dominance for so long is one of the great sporting questions. The players say that they felt a sense of confidence which only comes from belonging to a well run family. They point to the weekend BBQs and the after game drinks (at Carlton's Royal Hotel) as being the fundamental reason behind this incredible success story. They also point out the support of their families and in particular the wives and girlfriends of the footballers. As well, St George had become a rich club which was managed in a totally professional manner; a fact that must have had a bearing on their success. 222 Matches 1956-1966 Wins 183, Losses 34, Draws 5 Total points for: 5109 (average 23.01 / match) Total points against: 2153 (average 9.70 / match) Then there's the 'success breeds success' factor with almost every young player wanting to be part of the best team and wear the Red V. There is of course, the the Red V itself. Players of past and present often say that when they pull on a St George jumper, they feel 10 feet tall. Perhaps, it's the Red V on white background that makes a man look larger than life or perhaps it's the tradition which empowers the imagery. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that St George jersey has a strong effect on players and their supporters. Even in the first years of the 21st century, you can still go to the bush and find young rugby league players who want to wear the Red V football jumper. Although the unparalleled success of St George placed future teams under unfair pressure, it has to be said that the golden years set the pace for the 1970s and beyond thus ensuring that Saints would be forever known as the MIGHTY DRAGONS without contradiction.