The 1939 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirty-second season of SydneyâÂÂs top-level rugby league club competition, AustraliaâÂÂs first. Eight teams from across the city contested the premiership during the season, which lasted from April until September and culminated in BalmainâÂÂs victory over South Sydney in the final.
This was to be the St. George clubâÂÂs final season at Earl Park, Arncliffe, the following season moving back to Hurstville Oval.
In the two semi finals, minor premiers Balmain narrowly defeated Canterbury whilst fourth-placed South Sydney beat second-placed St. George.
The decider was played on the weekend when the worldâÂÂs future altered dramatically with the invasion of Poland by Germany leading to England, Australia and the world going to war.
The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground and refereed by George Bishop in front of 26,972. The game was tight in the first half with the Tigers scoring one try to lead 7âÂÂ2 at the break.
In the second-half Balmain ran away with it, scoring six further tries to South SydneyâÂÂs none for a crushing seventh premiership title and the Tigersâ first since 1924. Star Balmain players of the time included Sid Goodwin, Frank Hyde, Tom Bourke, Athol Smith, Billy Bischoff, George Watt and Jim Quealey.
Balmain 33 (Tries: Tom Bourke 2, Frank Hyde, J. Redman, Jim Quealey, D. Buckley, A. Smith. Goals: H. Day 5, W. Johnson )
defeated
South Sydney 4 (Fred Felsch 2 goals)