The 1945 NSWRFL season was the thirty-eighth New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership season, SydneyâÂÂs top-level rugby league club competition, and AustraliaâÂÂs first. Eight teams from across the city contested during the season which culminated in Eastern Suburbs' victory over Balmain in the grand final.
Balmain led 10âÂÂ5 at half time and the match was evenly balanced throughout the second half. With three minutes to go the Tricolours trailed 17âÂÂ18. The Roosters were awarded a penalty on half way and Dick Dunn convinced his reluctant captain Ray Stehr that he could make the distance. Dunn successfully kicked the goal from the then unorthodox upright position.
Dunn received Joe JorgensonâÂÂs kick from the restart and booted the ball into touch five metres from the Balmain line. Tricoloursâ George Watt won the scrum against the feed and Eastsâ classy halves pairing of Sel Lisle and Wally O'Connell put on a move that saw Dunn score in the corner.
Dunn scored 19 of the Tricoloursâ 22 points that day carrying with him for luck the sock of his fourteen-month-old daughter in his shorts pocket throughout the match.
Eastern Suburbs 22 (Tries: Dunn 3, J Arnold. Goals: Dunn 5)
defeated
Balmain 18 (Tries: Ponchard 2, Dawes, Nielsen. Goals: Jorgenson 3)
The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 14.
Top 5 point scorers
Top 5 try scorers
Top 5 goal scorers