South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League

In 1927 South Sydney had won its third premiership in a row. Claude Corbett, one of the greatest rugby league scribes of all time, tagged the team as the ‘pride of the league’. In those three years from 1925 to the final of 1927 they played 51 games, winning 47, losing only 4. Souths scored 1039 points and had only conceded 439.

South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League
Press photo of South Sydney’s team 1925 – Dave Watson collection.

This Glorious Run

This glorious run was to then continue for a few more seasons. It began in what is considered the most wonderful season for South Sydney – 1925. One hundred years ago. What is the story of this specifically wonderous time in the history of the club?

The Sun September 1927 Claude Corbett ‘Pride of the League’. South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League.

Souths 1908 -1924

Rugby league in Australia accordingly began in 1908. By 1924, 16 seasons had been completed. This period is not usually associated with Souths glory times. Their record before 1925, however, was excellent. This was because during those 16 seasons, the club won 4 premierships, were runners-up 6 times and had won the City Cup 3 times. Laurels were won by the lower grades as well. Souths finished in the top half of the competition every season bar one.

South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League
Howard Hallett – a very special full back.

South Sydney had been building up to something special in the run up to season 1925. In 1923 they finished runners-up to Easts. It was a close final, Easts winning 15-12.

South Sydney team at Taree 1923 – Dave Watson photo.

1924 The Big Year Before

The season prior to 1925 was a big year. 1924 was indeed a season of success for Souths. They finished equal top with Balmain. In a mid-week final Souths were just beaten. Our boys made amends by winning the City Cup against University. A top-level season must just be around the corner!

South Sydney City Cup winners 1924.

Season 1925 Begins

Season 1925 began with great fanfare. From the very first game it was apparent that South Sydney would be one of the leading teams.

The Rugby League News.
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Souths would either win a game easily or snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in most games of the season. This was certainly something of a trademark of Souths in the 20s.

A 1925 game against Saints.

North Sydney, for a time however, kept pace with Souths. They too fell away. Western Suburbs ended up being runners-up.

South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League
A postcard picture of Souths premiership winning team from Jimmy Tait.

The Problem

A problem started to appear. The public’s interest began to wane. This was caused by South Sydney. You see the problem was simple. They were undeniably too good! It was apparent that Souths were going to win the premiership. The only interest left was could Souths win the premiership undefeated. From 1926 semifinals were played each season.

Souths Sydney’s Reserve Grade team.

Last Round v Easts

And so, it came to the last game of the regular season. This was against Eastern Suburbs. Now Souths were on top, and Easts were near the bottom. Real Souths supporters know this means nothing. Easts can be at the top and Souths at the bottom and Souths can give them a belting. Victory was not assured.

An article about the 1925 game in the SOUTHS magazine 1967.

Most Exciting Game Ever

And that is how it turned out. It was one of the most exciting games ever in the history of rugby league. Overnight, it had rained, and the centre of the field was a lake. The weather kept the crowd down, but Mr. Corbett said the game should have had 50000 people there.

One of the heroes of the day – Benny Wearing.

Late in the game Easts lead by 5-3. Souths were down to 12 men as they had a player sent off. Desperate measures were called for. Yet again Souths accordingly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Part of a newspaper report.

Undefeated Premiers

Souths had won the premiership undefeated, winning every game. No other club has subsequently achieved this honor. Other clubs have never been beaten in a season. However, all of these have had at least one draw in a game.

Unbeatable.

The City Cup

Finally, attention turned to the City Cup. Suffice to say Souths then won that too in an exciting final against Glebe. So finished South Sydney’s best ever season. Undefeated premiers, winners of the City Cup. Premiers in all three grades which this club has never done in any other season.

A typical Benny pose.

The Challenge From Toowoomba

Toowoomba, in 1925, was undoubtedly a rugby league powerhouse. As a result, it supplied a number of players to the Queensland and Australian teams at a time when Queensland had a powerful team. Significantly, they had the nickname of the ‘Galloping Clydesdales’.

Program cover Souths v Toowoomba.

Stories reached this part of the world of a wonder team from down South.

Worthy opponents.

A challenge then went out. Acceptance was received by the South Sydney club. Consequently, on the 15th of August 1925, South Sydney, in front of 8000 people, trotted out onto the field for their last match of the season.

The teams on that day.

Toowoomba subsequently won 12-5. The reports of the day, however, stated that it was brilliant game.

Oscar Quinlivan.

South Sydney was not too disappointed by the loss. The hospitality of the Queenslanders was unquestionably second to none. Full advantage was taken to ensure everybody also had a great time.

Some markedly great players.

It was also a lovely way to finish an outstanding season.

Claude Corbett

This story began with Claude Corbett, and it is a good place to finish as well. It is no wonder that in his report on the final two years later, he called South Sydney the ‘Pride of the League’. Certainly they were then and will hopefully will be again this year.

The Sun September 1927.

South Sydney 1925 Pride of the League.

By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.

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