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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 |
Ken Kearney on cover Sports
Mag, Aug 1956 |
When
talking about St George Dragons from the years 1956-1966,
it's almost impossible 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 40s 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 the premiership competition,
taking out 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.
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, ex-player
'Fearless' Frank Facer who was elected as secretary
in 1956. Frank reigned supreme in the great club until
his death in 1978 and 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
ofcourse, 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
Saints sustained greatness during the 'Golden Years'.
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!"
Team song during Golden Years.
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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The beginning
of the dynasty
1956:
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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MINOR
PREMIERS, GRAND FINALISTS, CHAMPIONS
Sydney Cricket Ground, 11 August
1956: St George defeat South Sydney 21-18 and
secure the minor premiership for 1956.
SAINTS POWER THRU SEMIS TO WIN
3RD 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 longenough to win the Grand Final
- an indication of how great the 1956 team was.
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.
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
Crowd: 61,987 |
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. |
1956
(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
|
(18
ROUNDS)
Saints
'56 record
Win
Loss Draw
13W, 4L, 1D
Pts for/against
For 398 (1st)
Against 239
(3rd) |
|
 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 a 15 yard dash to score.
COACH
SACKED!
Victorious
St George coach, Norm Tipping was ruthlessly sacked
in the off season as club officials undertook a 'captain-coach'
policy which would see 'Killer' Ken Kearney return
as coach in 1957. Tipping had earlier coached Saints in
their 1953 Grand Final loss.
Kearney 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 '56 season and club officials moved to rectify the
situation with Tipping losing 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. Crowd: 54,399
(click on the pic, left 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 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) broke the 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 a strategy of 'limited tackle'
football where the opposing team would be deliberately
given the ball by Kearney in the scrum.
|
1957
(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
|
(18
ROUNDS)
Saints
'57 record
Win
Loss Draw
15W, 3L, 0D
Pts for/against
For 417 (1st)
Against 232 (3rd) |
|
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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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. Crowd: 62,283
(click on pic, above 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 (30Aug) 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 & 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. 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. It was shocking as it was
stunning as high tackles and punching seemed to be the order
of the day. Saints'
players were constantly being cautioned and its a mystery
how none were 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. For 80 minutes, Brian Clay was all over Peter
Dimond who ended the match dazed and bleeding. |
1958
(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
|
(18
ROUNDS)
Saints
'58 record
Win
Loss Draw
16W, 2L, 0D
Pts for/against
For 480 (1st)
Against 187 (1st) |
 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 pts 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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
Crowd: 49,457 |
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
& white backs were cutting loose. Winger Eddie
Lumsden had a magnificent match, scoring a hat trick
of tries.
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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) |
  WAV
(522 Kb) Click
on the speaker & hear Norm Provan talk about
the undefeated 1959 team.
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 GF. 'The Old Fox' came to Saints in '57 after
already making a name for himself at Balmain and in England
where played nine seasons with Warrington and led them
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 sadly overlooked for Kangaroo selection and retired
from playing. (see 1977: 'Bath's Babes')
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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
& hear John Raper talk about
joining Saints.
 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.
NORM
PROVAN DISCOUNTS
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). The all conquering
St George team of 1959 boasted seven representatives
on the Kangaroo tour of that year. It
is 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.
One
player who missed out 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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