1909 - Revolt, Coup, Forfeit and a future

Rugby League began its second year of existence having survived a busy and financially demanding opening season, culminating in a marathon pioneering Kangaroo tour to Great Britain.

With the tour still ongoing at the start of 1909, reports trickling in from England were stating that the Kangaroo’s had run at a considerable financial loss. Several star players had signed with English clubs for the end of the 1908-09 season and beyond, which would be a massive loss to the fledgling code in Australia, while others were reportedly being sent home early.

In February, South Sydney player Arthur Conlin penned a public letter to The Sun requesting the League to appoint a full time secretary at their upcoming General meeting, a suggestion which received immediate support from the clubs.

On March 5, the NSWRL Annual Meeting was held where startling observations about the management of the League’s finances had been made. With the secretary and founding father James Giltinan, getting his side ready for the 45^th and last game of their English tour, President Henry Hoyle and treasurer, the legendary Australian Test cricketer, Victor Trumper ran the meeting on their own.

Newcastle was unable to send any delegates, so it was stated at the meeting that Glebe’s Arthur Weymark and Souths Edward Fry had been appointed to act on behalf of the Newcastle club. Their appointment was questioned with Hoyle stating he had a letter from the Newcastle club, however he had forgotten to bring it, but would produce it the following morning. However the following day he was still unable to produce the letter.

The meeting carried on with Hoyle unable to provide a balance sheet while it was also revealed that Trumper and Giltinan had been banking monies for the League into a separate account under Trumper’s name. Trumper stated during and post meeting that the account was a trust fund and designed to hold the rent for the upcoming matches at the Agricultural Showground. A discussion was also had about the appointment of a full time secretary but none was elected.

After the meeting, North Sydney board member Alexander Knox stated that Norths were considering leaving the League if a balance sheet and full time secretary were not appointed while also intimating that Eastern Suburbs, Souths and Western Suburbs may also consider similar action. With the spat between Hoyle and Knox being played out in the media and causing division within the game, another general meeting had to be called to clear the air.

The infamous Newcastle letter about delegates finally arrived several days after the meeting but had not been signed therefore could not be accepted as official. This meant that the first meeting was made null and a new meeting was convened for March 15.

A fiery meeting took place at the rooms of the NSWRL with accusations, allegations and abuse hurled back and forth, particularly between Knox and Hoyle. After much confrontation, Henry Hoyle exclaimed “I have had enough. I mean to retire. Tomorrow I withdraw all my bonds. Now I tender my resignation.”

Upon this, the previous meeting elections were declared void and new elections took place that saw politician Ernest Broughton appointed as president, replacing Hoyle, while Horrie Miller was elected as Trumper’s successor for the Treasurer role. It was also agreed that a fulltime secretary would be appointed with Tom Phelan named in the acting role while Giltinan was en-route and a suitable candidate could be hired.

The balance sheet that was missing in the previous year was finally completed and submitted at the meeting. It was observed that Balmain’s games at Birchgrove Oval had been producing the best gate takings and so in 1909 it was agreed that they would play nearly all of their games at the ground.

Within less than a month, Broughton’s business matters took precedent and subsequently forced him to relinquish his position as President. He was replaced by another politician, Edward O’Sullivan, the games third boss within a month.

The Premiership season began on April 24 with defending premiers South Sydney beating Balmain 4-0 their first of 9 straight wins before a final round 5-0 loss to Newcastle prevented them from finishing the season undefeated. 1908 Runners-up Eastern Suburbs won five of their opening 6 games before losing their last four games while Balmain benefitted from all their home games, winning all of their last 8 games after losing their opening two.

In June 1909 the league appointed Edward Larkin as its first fulltime secretary, bringing an end to the reign of James Giltinan and finally adding some stability to the administration of the game.

Shortly after Larkin’s appointment, an idea by George Ball to have a series of games played between the national sides for both Rugby codes would be a great spectacle, as well as an opportunity to lure the best Rugby Union talent to Rugby League. He approached the Wallabies players but soon learnt that the 500 pounds he was allocated to pay them with, was a paltry amount.

After a meeting with John Quinlan and Larkin, it was decided to approach entrepreneur James Joynton-Smith for a loan. Joynton-Smith agreed and the purchasing of the Wallabies began.

In August, the semi-finals took place with Balmain defeating Easts 15-8 and Souths beating Newcastle 20-0 which saw Balmain and Souths progress to the final.

Upon learning of the secret activity to buy the Wallabies, President O’Sullivan publicly expressed his opposition to what he deemed acts of unprofessional behaviour and resigned. His replacement was none other than James Joynton-Smith who became the NSWRL’s fourth president, all of whom had held the office in 1909.

The competition was placed on hold after the semi’s for the third and fourth games between Australia and the visiting New Zealand Maori side. The first game was won by the visitors 16-14 before Australia squared the ledger in game 2 with a 16-13 victory. The Kangaroos won the third game 23-16.  During the tour, a Mr Robert Jack claimed that he was owed money by the Maori side owed to him for the organisation of their 1908 tour, which the Maori management disputed. Jack issued a court order against star player and Maori team manager Albert Asher who was arrested after the third game against Australia had been played.

When the NSWRL learnt of this development, they immediately settled the debt with Jack and had Asher released by the police so that he had enough time to get to the ground in time for kick-off in the fourth game, which the Kangaroos went on to win 20-13.

The competition was delayed even further when three hastily organised matches between the Kangaroos and the recently purchased Wallabies would take place. The Kangaroos won the opening game 29-26 before the Wallabies won the next two matches 34-21 and 15-6. After these games the League had still yet to raise enough from gate takings to repay Joynton-Smith for the money he outlaid, so a decision was made to play a fourth game on the same day as the Premiership final.

All year Balmain’s games had been played at 3pm, but the league then decided to move the kick-off for the Final to midday as the undercard to a fourth exhibition game between the Kangaroos and Wallabies. Balmain held a meeting before sending a letter to the League stating that their players would not be able to get to the ground in time after work, for a 2pm kick off, let alone a midday start and requested that the game be moved from the Agricultural Showgrounds which South Sydney had used as their home ground, to Wentworth Park, as it was a genuine neutral venue and closer to Balmain which would enable them to field a team. They also stated it was insulting to the competition to have the final deemed as a secondary game to an exhibition match.

The League informed Balmain that the program would not be changed. On the day of the final, Balmain players and officials who could get to the ground, stood outside and staged a protest while the Souths team took the field. At midday, Souths kicked off and scored a try against no-one and the game was declared over. Several days later, the referee for the game declared the game publicly and officially to South Sydney.

The League suspected Balmain would be a no-show, so they organised for a combined team to take on Souths to ensure a double header would still take place. Souths beat a Combined First Grade team 18-10.

The game attracted a paltry crowd of just 4,000 but it was just enough for the League to pay back Joynton-Smith, clear all its debts and finish the year with a very modest profit.

The drama wasn’t over though. A week after the Final, Balmain decided to start a fund raising campaign to launch legal action against the League over its decision to award the title to Souths. Alexander Knox got in Balmain’s corner along with former president Edward O’Sullivan to voice their disapproval at the League and its treatment of Balmain. Despite raising the necessary funds, Balmain eventually opted to abandon all legal proceedings after months of meetings and conversations, publicly and in house.

Arguably the most tumultuous season in the codes history but it was one that ended with huge improvements to playing rosters, finances, administration, security and stability of the game.

The 1915 Patriotic Carnival (2018)

Australian Rugby League during the first World War received plenty of criticism for opting to continue competition, largely directed at it from rival code Rugby Union. They argued, wrongly, that League players refused to join up and serve in the military, instead opting to stay at home and get paid to play footy.

There are many stories of prominent Rugby League players at the time who defied this argument, as well as the game’s secretary and then-politician Edward Larkin who died at the landing of Gallipoli. What is rarely mentioned when this argument arises nearly every year is just how much the game of Rugby League donated to the war effort, through the game itself.

They regularly played games where gate receipts were donated and on one occasion, an actual field ambulance was donated.

On June 28, 1915, the League staged its first ever shortened version of Rugby League in a knockout competition played over 5 hours, all to raise funds for the war effort.

The day itself, with great intentions in mind, started tragically when it was revealed that one of the three founding fathers of Rugby League in Australia and brilliant Test Cricket batsmen Victor Trumper, had died at 10am that day while at St.Vincents Hospital.

Trumper had been ill for 2 years and was said to have died from ‘sportsman’s heart’ but later diagnosed as Bright’s disease. He was just 38 years old.

The players though had no idea about this news at the time. They had assembled at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground for the days action. The trustees of the ground agreed to let the venue be used free of charge for the day, so as to maximise the donation to the war effort.

Three games were played between President’s Cup sides to start proceedings. South Sydney defeated Western Suburbs 11-2, before Wests backed up to take on Glebe, winning the contest 8-5.

After these games was a brief intermission before the knockout began. The games were 30 minutes long, 15 minutes each way, with no half time interval, just a changing of ends.

At 12:30pm Glebe took on North Sydney in the first game. The match was played with vigour early on, leading to a try by Frank Burge which was converted by Henry Bolewski. Just before the change of ends, Charlie Sherritt kicked a penalty goal. After the switch, Glebe dominated as Tom Leggo and Fred Saunders bagged tries, the latter also converted by Bolewski. Glebe winning 13-2.

At 1:05pm Wests took on an understrength Souths side and after a dour first half, only a penalty goal by Athol White separated the sides. Wests though ran away with the game after changing sides, with Smith, Clarrie Prentice and Bill Joass all scoring tries, one of which was converted by White. Wests winning comfortably by 13-0.

At 1:40pm Newtown took on Easts in a match that saw the Bluebags forwards dominate. Tony Martin scored the sole try of the first half for Newtown, which was converted by Charlie Russell, while Wally Messenger kicked a penalty goal for the tricolours. The change of ends was a blessing for Newtown, who put on two more tries through Wally Collins and Roy Farnsworth to win the game 11-2.

At 2:15pm, the final opening round clash took place between Balmain and Annandale. The Dales were surprisingly good in this contest, with neither side scoring at the change. A great pass from Horrie Balkwell to Jim Brassill, sent the latter on a fine run to score the sole points of the game. Balmain victorious 3-0.

The first semi-final kicked off at 2:50pm with what was regarded as the best match of the tournament between Glebe and Wests. A spirited effort by Wests was not enough to deny the star studded Glebe side who won 13-5. Frank Burge bagged two tries and Tom Leggo one, while Henry Bolewski kicked 2 goals for Glebe while Wests points came from a try to Clarrie Tye and a goal from Athol White.

The second semi then took place at 3:25pm. It was a hard fought battle again decided by just a try. A great bustling run by Balmain’s Jack Robinson from halfway saw him score the sole try which was converted by George Cummins to give the Watersiders a 5-0 win.

A 15 minute spell was granted to Balmain after their semi before they ran out for the final at 4:10pm against rivals Glebe. The game was a terrific contest, with both sides showing plenty of enterprise in attack, but superior defence ensure that no points were scored at the change of ends. A poor kick from Balmain’s Lyall Wall gifted Glebe the ball and Frank Burge crossed for the sole try of the game. Balmain rallied frequently and late, but Glebe’s defences could not be breached. Glebe winning the final 3-0.

A thoroughly entertained crowd of 12,000 people attended the long day of action.

A Rugby League History Tour Of Sydney (2018)

Last week, Inside Sport’s rugby league journalist James Smith published a great article about some of Australia’s historic rugby league sites. It prompted a brief conversation on social media between him and myself, which lead to the idea of a rugby league tour around Sydney.

With this year marking 110 years since rugby league’s birth in Australia, this article looks at the most prominent of those early locations (as far as an organised tour is concerned, the order would have to change around a fair bit).

These tour locations are in chronological order, as best as is possible.

The journey, just like rugby league’s in Australia, would begin at 108 Market Street, the location of Australian Test cricket legend Victor Trumper’s Sportstore, which is where many meetings were held between Trumper, Henry Hoyle, James Giltinan and disgruntled rugby union players, including Alec Burdon, Bob Graves, Arthur Hennessy, Jim Moir, Peter Moir and Jack Feneley.

Trumper & Carter Sportstore (image from Sean Fagan’s book ‘Pioneers of Rugby League)

Moving on to 432-434 George Street, the location of what used to be Bateman’s Crystal Hotel, where the New South Wales Rugby League was officially born. It was here that the new game had its first meeting, where Hoyle was elected as President, Giltinan as Secretary and Trumper as Treasurer.

The journey then heads out of the CBD and to 160 St.Johns Road, Glebe, the location of the Glebe Town Hall. It was here that the Glebe club was formed on January 9, 1908, making them the first official team in the game’s history. Glebe’s formation also brought the Wentworth Park venue across to rugby league. That inaugural meeting saw future Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes in attendance. He was elected as club patron.

Glebe Town Hall

The Newtown Town Hall at 1 Bedford Street, Newtown is the next stop. This was where the Newtown club held its first official meeting on January 14, 1908. There is still plenty of conjecture surrounding the club’s actual birth, as many claim that they held their maiden official meeting the day before Glebe.

Newtown Town Hall

January 17, 1908 saw the birth of the third club, South Sydney, at the Redfern Town Hall, located at 73 Pitt St, Redfern. The Rabbitohs would go on to become the most successful club in the code’s history, winning 21 first grade premierships.

Redfern Town Hall

On January 23, 1908, Balmain became the first team to have their entire rugby union club completely switch codes to join rugby league, at a meeting held at the Balmain Town Hall at 370 Darling St, Balmain. The club had been involved in a long running spat with the rugby union, hence their wholehearted commitment to rugby league.

Balmain Town Hall

Just 500 metres away from the Sydney Roosters’ current home ground, Allianz Stadium, is the Paddington Town Hall at 249 Oxford St, Paddington. It was here on January 24, 1908 that the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League club was formed. They are the only team to have competed in every season of competition, and also boasted the biggest drawcard for the game itself during those pioneering years, Dally Messenger.

Paddington Town Hall

On February 4, 1908, Rugby League expanded westward. It was at the Ashfield Town Hall on 260 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield that the Western Suburbs Rugby League Club was formed. The building itself now has been modernised entirely, much like the club, which is now represented by the merged entity with Balmain known as Wests Tigers.

Ashfield Town Hall (1903)

Just a few days later on February 7, North Sydney formed a side at the School Of Arts Hall on Mount St, North Sydney. The building, just like the club, sadly, has since been demolished.

North Sydney School Of Arts (1974)

On April 21, 1908, nine days after a side from Newcastle was added to the competition, a ninth and final side for the 1908 season was added, representing Cumberland. They held their meeting at the Horse & Jockey Hotel at 70 Parramatta Rd, Homebush.

Their time in the game lasted less than one season. They played their first game on May 9, almost three weeks after the competition had begun and by their eighth and final game of the season, they had to borrow players from opponents North Sydney. Needless to say, Cumberland folded before the end of the year and it would not be until 1947 when Parramatta joined the competition that area was again represented.

Horse & Jockey Hotel

In 1910, a team from Annandale was formed at The Colannade Hall on 101 Johnston St, Annandale. The club effectively replaced the discontinued Newcastle club, which set off to create their own local competition. Annandale lasted 11 uneventful seasons before petering out after a winless 1920 campaign.

The Colannade

On February 7, 1921 at the Kogarah School Of Arts, on the corner of Queens Ave and Bowns Rd, the iconic St George club formed its first grade side. They had very nearly been admitted as early as 1908. The club holds the record for 11 consecutive premierships (1956-66), a streak unlikely to ever be surpassed.

Kogarah School Of Arts

There were two venues used for the first round of games played on April 20, 1908. The first was the picturesque Birchgrove Oval. It was here that South Sydney defeated North Sydney 11-7, followed by Balmain’s 24-0 win over Western Suburbs.

Birchgrove Oval

The other venue was the previously-mentioned Wentworth Park. On April 20, 1908, it saw Eastern Suburbs defeat Newtown 32-16 and local outfit Glebe beat Newcastle 8-5.

Wentworth Park

The 1908 Premiership decider, which was won by South Sydney over Eastern Suburbs 14-12, was played at the Agricultural Sportsground. This was a marquee venue for rugby league up until 1930, when the Sydney Sports Ground and the Sydney Cricket Ground took over.

Agricultural Sports Ground (1936)

The tour then takes a commemorative turn and heads to some cemeteries to pay homage to its four most vital men in its formative years. At the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park is the final resting place of Dally Meesenger, whose feats on the field wowed crowds around the world.

At Rookwood Cemetery, founder James Giltinan was cremated, while at South Head cemetery lies the great politician, orator and the League’s first boss, Henry Hoyle. Legendary Test cricketer and rugby league’s first treasurer Victor Trumper, who passed away tragically aged 37 from Bright’s Disease. He lies in Waverley Cemetry.

At the Parliament of New South Wales, located at 6 Macquarie St, Sydney is a memorial that pays respect to Edward Larkin, Rugby League’s first full time secretary, who was killed at Gallipoli while serving in parliament.

Memorial for Edward Larkin at the NSW State Parliament

The tour would then make its way to the NRL Museum, where esteemed and brilliant historian Terry Williams could walk you through some of the game’s artefacts and many more great stories from the game’s history.

Inside the Rugby League Museum at NRL Headquarters

****This article appearaed on Commentary Box Sports on January 23, 2018****