The 1941 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirty-fourth season of SydneyâÂÂs top-level rugby league competition, AustraliaâÂÂs first. Eight teams from across the city contested the premiership during the season, which lasted from April until August, culminating in Eastern Suburbsâ loss to St. George in the grand final.
As three clubs were equal on points at the end of the home-and-away season, no club had the right of challenge in the finals.
Eastern Suburbs and St. George won their respective semi finals, allowing them to meet in the final.
In a tough encounter the Dragons won their first ever premiership in their twenty-first season in the competition. St. George captain-coach Neville Smith was knocked out after a heavy tackle early in the match. Smith recovered and scored 13 points through one try and five goals.
Along with Smith, St. George centre Gordon Hart also gave a sparkling display of free-running rugby league. Recently enlisted in the AIF, Hart had been given permission to leave barracks to participate in the finals.
In another incident Eastsâ prop Jack Arnold and Saintsâ lock Bill Tyquin were sent off after an almighty punch up. Tyquin, a Queensland representative who would later captain Australia, played only the 1941 war-time season in Sydney while he was stationed there on duty with the AIF.
It was to prove to be the final match in the record-setting career of Eastsâ Dave Brown who at twenty-nine years of age announced his retirement at gameâÂÂs end.
St. George 31 (Tries: Campbell 2, Hanson 2, Smith, Kelly, Hart. Goals: Smith 5)
defeated
Eastern Suburbs 14 (Tries: Dermond 2, Brown, Bamford. Goals: Brown 1)
The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 14.
Top 5 point scorers
Top 5 try scorers
Top 5 goal scorers