When St George began the 1956 season little did the club or every footy fan in the country know that they would blitz the comp like never before and be 11 consecutive year premiers, a world record for a team sport that astoundingly still stands more than half a century later.
September 8, Sydney Cricket Ground the setting for the 1956 Rugby League Grand Final between St George and Balmain. The two teams had battled it out two weeks earlier in the major semi with the Saints running out close winners 30-25.
The Tigers were out for revenge so the scene was set. The huge crowd was on tenderhooks. A mere 13 minutes into the match Saints centre Merv Lees suffered a cracked collarbone and Red V supporters hopes sank as 13 against 12 in any match let alone a grand final was not the perfect scenario. ( no replacements in those days)
If anything this lifted the Saints and after a 38 minute arm wrestle livewire winger Tommy Ryan drew the Balmain fullback Keith Barnes to send hard working prop forward Kevin Brown powering over for their first try. So with a buffer at half time the Saints went into the final stanza full of confidence. Further tries to Bob Bugden and Kevin O'Brien came quickly after oranges with Harry Melville scoring the last try 18 minutes in and putting the final nail in the Tiger's coffin. Balmain skipper Brian Staunton added to his earlier try with a late consolation three pointer but too late to deny the Tiger Slayers their third premiership 18-12.
Inspirational prop forward Billy Wilson had a blinder and was a worthy man of the match.
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The 1956 Premiers: 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.
The RED V won every minor premiership during their GOLDEN ERA with the only exception being 1961 when the NSWRL split the minor premiership prize money between Saints and their bitter rival at the time Wests.
In 1959 Saints went through the season undefeated, only the third team in history to do it. They also won countless club championships and had premiers in all three grades in 1963.
Such was their dominance up till 1966, the law makers of our game were forced to end the no limit tackle rule to finally halt this rugby league juggernaut.
It's difficult to pin point the precise reason why St George were able to pull off such a remarkable run of wins. Definitely the group of world class players on their roster provided the main criteria, yet some credit must go to the club administrators, specially former player 'Fearless'
Frank Facer who was elected as CEO in 1956 and held the top job of this famous club until his death in 1978. It was Facer who was responsible for bringing many champion players into the team. Such as arguably two of the best to ever lace a boot, 'Immortals' Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier.
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Ken Kearney who led the
Dragons in many of their titles.
