1908 NSWRFL season

Rugby league competition August 2020 May 2011 1908 NSWRFL season New South Wales Rugby Football League 20 April to 29 August 9 43 1108 16x16px South Sydney 1st Premiers 16x16px South Sydney 1st Minor Premiers 16x16px Eastern Suburbs 16x16px Cumberland 1st 16x16px Horrie Miller (47) 16x16px Horrie Miller (15) 16x16px Cumberland Disbanded Second Grade 8 (1 withdrew) 16x16px Eastern Suburbs Premiers Third Grade 8 (2 withdrew) Sydney Premiers Drummoyne 1909 NSWRFL season 1909 The 1908 NSWRFL season was the inaugural season of the New South Wales Rugby Football League's premiership, Australia's first rugby league football club competition, in which nine clubs (eight from Sydney and one from Newcastle) competed from April till August 1908. The season culminated in the first premiership final, for the Royal Agricultural Society Challenge Shield, which was contested by Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney.Premiership Roll of Honour https://web.archive.org/web/20060511185232/http://www.rl1908.com/clubcomps/Honours.htm 11 May 2006 at rl1908.com In 1908 the NSWRFL also assembled a New South Wales representative team for the first ever interstate series against Queensland, and towards the end of the season, the NSWRFL's leading players were absent, having been selected to go on the first Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. Background Early in the 20th century in Sydney, the game of rugby football was contested in competitions that were affiliated with the Rugby Football Union based in England. In 1895 the breakaway Northern Rugby Football Union was formed and its own version of rugby football started to evolve. The reasons for this split were ultimately based on the fact that clubs had wanted to compensate their players for time away from work due to injuries and travelling. After the Rugby Football Union denied the clubs' requests for compensation, many northern English clubs broke away and formed a new league, which implemented gradual rule changes to the football it played in an attempt to make a more attractive game for crowds. When crowd numbers started to rise, clubs were able to afford to pay players benefits as a direct result of increased gate takings.Messenger III Dally The Master : the story of H.H. 'Dally' Messenger and the beginning of Australian rugby league 1982 Angus & Robertson London 0207147310 13 thumb|right|Dally Messenger - Bramley UK 1907In 1906 in Sydney, crowd numbers for football matches began to increase significantly following the emergence of an especially talented player, Dally Messenger, whose skill was considered a pleasure to watch.Fagan Sean Messenger III Dally The Master : the Life and Times of Dally Messenger, Australia's first sporting superstar 2007 Hachette Australia Sydney, N.S.W. 9780733622007 150 It was around this time that the discontent of players with their clubs for failing to shift away from the amateur culture of the Rugby Football Union was starting to show. Even though bigger crowds had brought increased revenue to the game, footballers did not see any of the increased revenue going back to them.O'Reily 2018 200 On 8 August 1907 a group of leading players and supporters met at Bateman's Hotel, George Street, Sydney and resolved to form the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL). The best ever Australian Sports Writing Cunneen Chris 2001 Black Inc. Australia 1-86395-266-7 315 https://books.google.com/books?id=66OBschGE_YC 19 February 2011 In the latter half of 1907, and unknown to the general public, Dally Messenger secretly agreed to sign on to play in a breakaway professional competition that would start the following year, run by the NSWRFL. It would turn out to be Messenger's popularity that would ensure the success of the new competition.O'Reily 2018 205 Early in 1908, a number of Rugby Football Union clubs held meetings across Sydney and Newcastle to decide whether or not breakaway clubs should be formed in preparation for the new Rugby Football League's premiership that was to start in the following months. The popularity amongst players in support of the new competition was overwhelming, with only some players deciding to continue playing in the traditional amateur Rugby Football Union competition. The Rugby Football League clubs that were formed were essentially breakaway clubs, and in most instances, teams continued the use of their team colours into the new competition. A key aspect of the new code was that players would be paid for playing the game. Adopting the playing rules of the rebel Northern Union of England, the new competition began on Easter Monday, 20 April 1908.O'Reily 2018 207 Touring parties The 1907–08 All Golds arrived back in Australia on 9 April. They spread themselves around the eight clubs that were preparing for the season. They helped advise them on the rules of rugby league.Kiwis Were Out For Keeps RL1908.com. Retrieved 8 August 2009. Archived 11 August 2009. The team watched the first round of the competition before heading to Newcastle and playing the first game of rugby league in that city. They then played matches against New South Wales and Australia before heading north to Queensland. The final test was held on 6 June and Australia defeated New Zealand 14–9 for their first test win.June 1, 2007 The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League Coffey John Wood Bernie HLNZ Sport Hardback New Zealand 978-1-86971-090-3 A New Zealand Māori side had arrived in Sydney in the first week of June and watched the All Golds' final test. They played four matches in New South Wales before also heading north to Queensland. On their return they played three more matches, including one against Australia, before financial and legal disputes ended the tour.Coffey Wood 2008 16 Teams Eight teams contested the first round of the season; seven teams from Sydney and one team from Newcastle. Another Sydney team, Cumberland, joined the competition in the second round, making it nine teams in total, however the club exited the League at the end of the season.History of the Premiership http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au/site/about/history/history-of-the-premiership.aspx https://web.archive.org/web/20080209104018/http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au/site/about/history/history-of-the-premiership.aspx dead 9 February 2008 centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au Australian Rugby League 21 October 2013 Balmain100px|center Formed on 23 January 1908at Balmain Town HallGround: Birchgrove Oval Captain-Coach: Bob GravesCumberland100px|center Formed on 20 April 1908at Horse and Jockey Hotel, HomebushGround: RAS Showground Captain: Harry BloomfieldEastern Suburbs100px|center Formed on 24 January 1908at Paddington Town HallGround: RAS Showground Captain: Albert RosenfeldGlebe100px|center Formed on 9 January 1908Ground: Wentworth Park Captain: Alex BurdonNewcastle100px|center Formed on 8 February 1908at Pike's Rooms, Bolton Street, Newcastle Captain: Stan CarpenterNewtown100px|center Formed on 8 January 1908Ground: RAS Showground Captain: Harry HamillNorth Sydney100px|center Formed on 7 February 1908Ground: Birchgrove Park Captain: Albert Broomham South Sydney100px|center Formed on 17 January 1908at Redfern Town HallGround: RAS Showground Coach: Arthur HennessyCaptain: Arthur ConlinWestern Suburbs100px|center Formed on 4 February 1908Ground: Wentworth Park Captain: Jim Stack Season summary All four games of the premiership's opening round were played on 20 April 1908. Two games were held at Wentworth Park and the other two at Birchgrove Oval. In total, 3000 people attended at each venue for the back-to-back matches, with Glebe, Balmain, South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs winning their respective matches over Newcastle, Western Suburbs, North Sydney and Newtown. In all, ten regular-season rounds were played, to be followed by two semi-finals and then a final. The season was a financial disaster for the New South Wales Rugby Football League. The competition had a distinct lack of star players, was hurt by a number of refereeing problems and suffered from a lack of exposure from the conservative press. Many players who had switched over from rugby union were sacked from their weekday jobs and were no longer allowed to enter the Sydney Cricket Ground, home of the New South Wales Rugby Union. The five captains that had moved from rugby union were also publicly ostracised. The season's highest crowd came in the second round when South Sydney beat Cumberland in front of 20,000 people. Due to Cumberland having just been admitted into the premiership, this match was played 2 weeks after the other 3 games of round 2 had been completed. South Sydney consequently played their second match of the "round" because of this. At the end of the season, Eastern Suburbs' Horrie Miller was the competition's top points scorer and top try scorer. Results Round 1 Monday, 20 April 1908 8–5 Wentworth Park 3,000 Round 1 Monday, 20 April 1908 11–7 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 1 Monday, 20 April 1908 24–0 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 1 Monday, 20 April 1908 32–16 Wentworth Park 3,000 Round 2 Saturday, 25 April 1908 7–2 Wentworth Park Round 2 Saturday, 25 April 1908 42–7 Royal Agricultural Society Showground Round 2 Saturday, 25 April 1908 5–10 Birchgrove Oval 1,500 Round 2 Saturday, 9 May 1908 23–2 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 20,000 Round 3 Saturday, 16 May 1908 25–8 Wentworth Park 3,000 Round 3 Saturday, 16 May 1908 12–13 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 3,000 Round 3 Saturday, 16 May 1908 13–13 Birchgrove Oval 2,500 Round 3 Saturday, 16 May 1908 37–0 Wentworth Park 3,000 Round 4 Saturday, 23 May 1908 7–2 Wentworth Park 4 Saturday, 23 May 1908 2–24 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 1,500 Round 4 Saturday, 23 May 1908 6–16 Birchgrove Oval Round 4 Saturday, 23 May 1908 21–8 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 1,500 Round 5 Saturday, 30 May 1908 22–7 Wentworth Park 1,200 Round 5 Saturday, 30 May 1908 21–9 Birchgrove Oval Round 5 Saturday, 30 May 1908 31–3 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 800 Round 5 Saturday, 30 May 1908 9–8 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 800 Round 6 Saturday, 13 June 1908 8–17 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 14,000 Round 6 Saturday, 20 June 1908 5–21 Wentworth Park 1,500 Round 6 Saturday, 20 June 1908 16–4 Birchgrove Oval 1,200 Round 6 Saturday, 20 June 1908 19–11 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 1,500 Round 7 Saturday, 27 June 1908 30–11 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 4,000 Round 7 Saturday, 27 June 1908 8–23 Wentworth Park 800 Round 7 Saturday, 27 June 1908 3–16 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 7 Saturday, 27 June 1908 26–5 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 4,000 Round 8 Saturday, 4 July 1908 11–5 Wentworth Park Round 8 Saturday, 4 July 1908 7–15 Wentworth Park Round 8 Saturday, 4 July 1908 5–28 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 8 Saturday, 4 July 1908 14–6 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 9 Saturday, 25 July 1908 5–6 Wentworth Park 200 Round 9 Saturday, 25 July 1908 2–16 Birchgrove Oval 800 Round 9 Saturday, 25 July 1908 0–45 Wentworth Park 200 Round 9 Saturday, 25 July 1908 34–17 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 400 Round 10 Saturday, 8 August 1908 5–10 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 10 Saturday, 8 August 1908 0–21 Birchgrove Oval 3,000 Round 10 Saturday, 8 August 1908 8–3 Wentworth Park Round 10 Saturday, 8 August 1908 24–2 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 200 Minor Semi Saturday, 15 August 1908 23–10 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 400 Major Semi Saturday, 15 August 1908 16–3 Wentworth Park 1,200 Final Saturday, 29 August 1908 14–12 Royal Agricultural Society Showground 4,000 Ladder 230px|thumb|right|The geographical locations of the foundation teams across Sydney. TeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts116x16px South Sydney9801119453+14118216x16px Eastern Suburbs9801118390+9318316x16px Glebe9702110663+4316416x16px North Sydney9603115566+8914516x16px Newcastle94051151116+3510616x16px Balmain9315186113−279716x16px Newtown9117170148−785816x16px Western Suburbs9108147190−1434916x16px Cumberland8107138191−1534* Cumberland's final position in the 1908 ladder has long been debated due to the inconsistent number of byes that each team received during the season.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-03/why-do-nrl-teams-get-points-for-bye-rounds-/102296600 NRL teams still get two competition points for the bye due to this old and outdated tradition ABC News 3 May 2023 7 May 2023 www.abc.net.au Ian Collis and Alan Whiticker stated in The History of Rugby League Clubs that Cumberland had received two byes.Whiticker Collis 2006 120 Shawn Dollin of Rugby League Project wrote the following about this irregularity: "Newspapers of the day had added a "bye" column to the competition table after Cumberland joined, and for the first few rounds they indicated that Cumberland had none. On the 24th of June however, this changed - the number of byes next to Cumberland became 1. In August, Cumberland had their scheduled bye in round 10. As confirmed in the book 'The History of Rugby League Clubs' by Ian Collis and Alan Whiticker, Cumberland was awarded their second bye for the season. Clearly, the NSWRFL had deemed they were entitled to the additional 2 points from a bye in round 1. The reason and exact timing of when this decision was made is unknown, and the only consequence is who was awarded the competition's first ever wooden spoon - them, or Western Suburbs. It was to be Cumberland's only season, but with 2 byes and a win, they were spared the ignominy."Dollin Shawn NSWRFL 1908 - Cumberland (AUS) https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nswrfl-1908/cumberland--aus-/summary.html Rugby League Project 19 March 2025 As of 2025, Cumberland is officially listed as the holder of the 1908 wooden spoon by the National Rugby League, contradicting the extra bye theory.https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-game/premiership-winners/ NRL Grand Final and Premiership Winners nrl.com.au 11 May 2025 Ladder progression Green indicates top 4 teams - indicates the team entered the competition late. Team12345678910116x16px South Sydney26Round2 South Sydney played two matches in two weeks in what was still designated as round two. This was because Cumberland, a new team applying for inclusion in the competition after it had started, played a trial game in the first week of round 2 against Eastern Suburbs. Once the league approved of their inclusion, they played their first premiership match against South Sydney a fortnight later in the only game of the weekend. Because of this, South Sydney was allocated no game nor a bye in round 4, bringing them level with other teams in terms of matches and byes allocated to date.September 202066Round2>81012141618216x16px Eastern Suburbs2468101214141618316x16px Glebe2468101012141616416x16px North Sydney0244668101214516x16px Newcastle0246688101010616x16px Balmain2233577779716x16px Newtown0013335555816x16px Western Suburbs0000022244916x16px Cumberland–000000224 Finals The competition was decided on which side had the most premiership points at the end of the year. After the regular season had completed, the top four teams played an extra round in order break the deadlock between South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs which both ended up on 18 points. After these two teams won their respective semi-finals, a final was played. South Sydney overcame a depleted Eastern Suburbs side to take away the inaugural premiership. 15 August 1908 – Agricultural 16x16px Eastern Suburbs 23 16x16px North Sydney 10 15 August 1908 – Wentworth 16x16px South Sydney 16 16x16px Glebe 3 29 August 1908 – Agricultural 16x16px South Sydney 14 16x16px Eastern Suburbs 12 Final South SydneyPositionEastern Suburbs Webby Neil FB Bill King Frank Storie WG William Smith Fred Jarman CE Percy McNamara Ed Fry CEDave Brown Leo Senior WG Horrie Miller Arthur Conlin (c) FE Harold Kelley Jack Leveson HB Lou D'Alpuget Tom Golden PR Percy White Jack Coxon HK Herb Brackenreg Dick Green PR Mick Frawley Arthur McCallum SR Jersey Flegg (c) Jack Cochrane SR Ted Briscoe Harry Butler LK Bob MableArthur Hennessy Coach Daniel McCart Both teams were weakened by the absence of players selected to travel to England on the first Kangaroo tour.Football The Sydney Mail 644 2 September 1908 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U30QAAAAIBAJ&pg=6923,3477172 20 November 2009 The match had been postponed a week to avoid a clash with a major rugby union representative game. The following is a report from The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on the final between South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs. "The final match to determine the premiership in the first grade of the Rugby League was played on the Agricultural Society's Ground on Saturday in perfect weather. The match was shorn of much interest on account of prominent members of both teams being absent, on their way to England. In accordance with the League rules, one-third of the profits of the match will be devoted to charity. The game, which was brilliant, and at times rather rough, resulted in a victory for South Sydney by 14 points to 12. The winners deserved their victory. South Sydney lost the toss and kicked off from the southern end with an easterly wind blowing across the ground. South Sydney had the better of the early play and gained possession from several scrums. After a passing move involving Conlin and Senior, Senior scored the first try of the match. Immediately afterwards Herb Brackenreg kicked a penalty goal for Eastern Suburbs. South Sydney now attacked strongly, and appeared likely to score, but Horrie Miller, intercepting a yard or so from his own line, raced the whole length of the ground and scored a beautiful try behind the posts. Brackenreg converted, making the scores seven points to three in favour of Eastern Suburbs. On resuming South Sydney obtained the upper hand, forwards and backs playing brilliantly. They made repeated dashes, but could not break through for a long time. Once Storie got across, but was tackled. Then the three-quarters made fine dashes on either wing. From the last of these, which ended on the line, Golden scored a try, which Green failed to convert. Just before half time, Edward Fry marked at Eastern Suburb's 25, and Conlin kicked a fine goal, South Sydney leading by eight points to seven. The second half proved exciting from start to finish, Eastern Suburbs at first attacked and South Sydney got out of the difficulty by forcing. South Sydney now became aggressive, the three-quarters combining very neatly. They repeatedly penetrated the defence, but could not put the finishing touch to the movements for some time. At length Levison obtained a scrum and passed to Conlin, on the wing. The latter dashed for the line, and scored. The kick at goal failed. South Sydney 11 points to seven. Eastern Suburbs put in fine work. Dan Frawley and Brackenreg dribbling almost to the line. Then McNamara dropped a field goal from centre, which reduced South Sydney's lead to two points. McNamara almost repeated the performance a few minutes later, South Sydney rallied, and Levison getting from a scrum at the 25 passed in to Butler, who scored. The kick at goal failed. Play now became very rough, several players being knocked out temporarily, and the referee had to administer cautions. Near time, Eastern Suburbs came with a rush, and Miller scored a good try, which Brackenreg failed to convert. There was no further scoring, South Sydney winning by 14 points to 12.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15001310 Rugby League First-Grade Final The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney 31 August 1908 26 April 2016 10 National Library of Australia South Sydney five-eighth and captain Arthur Conlin was the star of the day for the winners and was triumphantly carried from the field by his teammates.Heads Ian Middleton David A Centenary of Rugby League Macmillan Sydney, Australia 9781405038300 28-29 Scoreboard 1908 NSWRFL Final Saturday, 29 August 15:15 AEST (UTC+10) South Sydney Souths 16 4Senior Golden Conlin Butler 0Conlin (0/3)Green (0/1) 1Conlin (1/1) 14 – 12 8–7 6–5 Report Easts 16 Eastern Suburbs 2Miller (2) 2Brackenreg (2/3) 0Brackenreg (0/1) 1McNamara RAS Showground, Sydney ≈4,000 Charlie Hutchinson Statistics Points PlayerTeamPTGFGPts1Horrie MillerEastern Suburbs1510472Herb BrackenregEastern Suburbs2170403Arthur ButlerSouth Sydney6110404Stan CarpenterNewcastle2160385Albert ConlonGlebe1170376Dick GreenSouth Sydney680347Harry GlanvilleNorth Sydney2140348Alf LattaBalmain4100329Bill BaileyNewcastle9102910Jack ScottNewtown56027 Tries PlayerTeamPT1Horrie MillerEastern Suburbs152Bill BaileyNewcastle93Daniel FrawleyEastern Suburbs84Dick GreenSouth Sydney64Harry ButlerSouth Sydney64Arthur ButlerSouth Sydney64Frank StorieSouth Sydney64Tommy AndersonSouth Sydney64Billy CannSouth Sydney6 Lower Grades The NSWRFL also conducted Second and Third Grade competitions in this inaugural season. Matches were held on the same day that the First Grade competition commenced, Easter Monday, 20 April.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14942954 Competition Matches To Begin To-Day The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney 20 April 1908 26 April 2016 10 National Library of Australia Second Grade Eight teams entered the Second Grade competition: Balmain, Eastern Suburbs, Enfield, Glebe, Newtown, North Sydney, South Sydney, Western Suburbs. By the end of May, however, Enfield had withdrawn. Western Suburbs were not listed to play in July or August. Eastern Suburbs were the dominant team in the grade. Arrangements were made for the team to play two curtain raisers to representative matches, the first against a Combined Third Grade team. After the penultimate round, the Sydney Sportsman reported, "Glebe II. forfeited to Eastern Suburbs II. at the Agricultural Ground. This gives E.E. the [Second Grade] premiership, for they have been unbeaten throughout the season." Their opponents for the final round of matches also forfeited.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28146894 Rugby League The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney 11 July 1908 26 April 2016 16 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126742147 Rugby League Notes The Sunday Times Sydney 16 August 1908 26 April 2016 10 National Library of Australia Third Grade Eight teams entered the Third Grade competition: Balmain, Drummoyne, Eastern Suburbs, Glebe, Newtown, North Sydney, South Sydney, Sydney. North Sydney and South Sydney appear to have withdrawn, however, as they are not listed in the fixtures published on Saturdays in the Sydney Morning Herald in July or August. The Sydney team won the competition. Arrangements were made for the team to play the second grade premiers, Eastern Suburbs II, in a curtain raiser to the first grade final on 30 August. With many of the Eastern Suburbs second graders required to fill in first grade for club-mates in transit to England, this was quickly changed. Sydney, defeated the third grade runner's up, Drummoyne, in the curtain-raiser, by 11 to 3. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Sydney had "an unbeaten record", however a result from 8 August in the Sunday Times has Eastern Suburbs III defeating Sydney, by 11 to nil.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166748412 Rugby (League) Fixtures for Saturday next Sydney Sportsman Sydney 26 August 1908 26 April 2016 7 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15001415 Third Grade Sydney v Drummoyne The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney 31 August 1908 26 April 2016 10 National Library of Australiahttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126728948 Third Grade The Sunday Times Sydney 9 August 1908 26 April 2016 10 National Library of Australia Notes References Bibliography A Thoroughly Unhelpful History of Australian Sport Titus O'Reily 20 August 2018 Penguin Books 9780143793519 Whiticker Alan Collis Ian 2006 The History of Rugby League Clubs New Holland, Sydney 9781741104707 John Coffey Bernie Wood 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908–2008 Huia Publishers 2008 New Zealand https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC 978-1-86969-331-2 Further reading Rugby League Tables – Notes The World of Rugby League Rugby League Tables – Season 1908 The World of Rugby League Premiership History and Statistics RL1908 (archived) South Sydney Claim Rugby League Title RL1908 (archived) New South Wales Competitions 1908 The Vault History – Introduction North Sydney Bears External links The Game Begins – nma.gov.au https://web.archive.org/web/20080517000217/http://www.nma.gov.au/shared/libraries/attachments/league_of_legends/the_game_begins/files/22449/C-The_game_begins.pdf 17 May 2008 Results: 1908–1910 at rabbitohs.com.au 1908 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Challenge Shield at rleague.com Category:New South Wales Rugby League premiership NSWRFL season