The 1933 NSWRFL season was the twenty-sixth season of Sydney’s professional rugby league club competition, Australia’s first. Eight teams from across the city contested the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership during the season, which lasted from April until September, and culminated in Newtown’s victory over St. George in the final.[1]

1933 New South Wales Rugby Football League
Teams8
Premiers Newtown (2nd title)
Minor premiers Newtown (2nd title)
Matches played59
Top points scorer(s) Syd Christensen (86)
Top try-scorer(s) Jack Gray-Spence (11)

Season summary

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When the Kangaroos sailed for England in July, the NSWRFL premiership, with a mere five rounds completed, was turned on its head. After losing the opening four matches of the season, last-placed Newtown won eleven of their next twelve matches to take the premiership, whilst Wests, who had won four and drawn one of six games, lost several key players and did not win another match. The Magpies lost virtually their entire backline of McMillan, Pearce, Ridley, Mead and the up-and-coming Vic Hey, and also suffered from their refusal to reappoint coach Jim Craig.[2]

Teams

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Balmain
 

26th season
Ground: Drummoyne Oval
Coach: George Robinson
Captain: Arthur Toby

Eastern Suburbs
 

26th season
Ground: Sydney Sports Ground
Coach: Arthur Halloway
Captain(s): Sid Pearce, Ernie Norman

Newtown
 

26th season
Ground: Marrickville Oval
Coach: Charles "Boxer" Russell
Captain: Keith Ellis

North Sydney
 

26th season
Ground: North Sydney Oval
Captain-Coach: Arthur Edwards

St. George
 

13th season
Ground: Earl Park
Coach: Albert Johnston
Captain: Harry Kadwell

South Sydney
 

26th season
Ground: Sydney Sports Ground
Coach: Charlie Lynch
Captain: George Treweek

University
 

14th season
Coach: Gordon Favelle
Captain: Sammy Ogg

Western Suburbs
 

26th season
Ground: Pratten Park
Captain-Coach: Bill Brogan

Ladder

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The geographical locations of the teams that contested the 1933 premiership across Sydney.
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1   Newtown 14 9 0 5 183 125 +58 18
2   Eastern Suburbs 14 8 1 5 224 169 +55 17
3   South Sydney 14 8 1 5 182 177 +5 17
4   St. George 14 8 0 6 165 174 -9 16
5   Balmain 14 5 3 6 187 210 -23 13
6   Sydney University 14 5 1 8 218 216 +2 11
7   North Sydney 14 5 1 8 136 188 -52 11
8   Western Suburbs 14 4 1 9 210 246 -36 9

Finals

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In the two semi finals, Newtown and St. George beat their opponents Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney. In their semi-final Newtown were reduced to twelve men after former representative fullback Alan Righton broke his leg. The two winners then advanced to the final.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
26 August 1933 - Sports Ground
 
 
  Newtown 17
 
9 September 1933[3] - Sports Ground
 
  South Sydney 12
 
  Newtown 18
 
2 September 1933 - Sports Ground
 
  St. George 5
 
  St. George 13
 
 
  Eastern Suburbs 10
 

Premiership final

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Newtown Position St. George
13. Tom Ellis FB 13. Stan Robinson
25. Joe Gartner WG 11. Bernie Martin
11. Alf Griffiths CE 51. Max Hollingsworth
20. Frank Gilmore CE 14. Norm Tipping
21. Garnet Braybrook WG 8. Len Brennan
8. Keith Ellis (c) FE 7. Mick Kadwell (Ca./Co.)
7. Hans Mork HB 34. Dick Daly
15. Clarrie Tupper PR 41. Tom Haywood
3. Clarrie Stevenson HK 5. Percy Fairall
18. Henry Porter PR 43. Alan Sprouster
5. Alf Smith SR 31. Allan Woods
28. Les Bull SR 2. Jim Rutherford
6. Jack Thornton LK 30. Bill Killiby
Charles Russell Coach

The Sydney Sports Ground attracted a large crowd of 18,080 on 9 September to see Newtown take on St George. Both teams were coached by former internationals. St George captain-coach was former Kangaroo and premiership winner with South Sydney Harry 'Mick' Kadwell. Newtown were coached by former dual-international Charles “Boxer” Russell.

The match, refereed by William Fry, was level 5–all at halftime, before the Bluebags finished the stronger to take the premiership.

Newtown 18 (Tries: Alf Griffiths 2, Joe Gartner, George Braybrook. Goals: Frank Gilmore 3)

beat

St George 5 (Tries: Percy Fairall. Goal: Mick Kadwell )

References

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  1. ^ Premiership Roll of Honour Archived 2007-04-28 at the Wayback Machine at rl1908.com
  2. ^ Lester, Gary; Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood: the Story of the Western Suburbs Rugby League Magpies; p. 94. ISBN 0949853526
  3. ^ Newtown def. St George (18-5) - 09-Sep-1933 Archived 2012-03-04 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
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