Tough battle, Tiges deserved winners,South's couldn't capitalise on chances with Tiges relentless D,I bet players wished they kept their own GF jerseys
I just looked at the two sides on Wikipedia, souths were stacked and really should've won this game. Also, fun fact I just found, balmain winger George Reubener was born in china
I was there in 69 glory days for the Tigers. Bobby Smithies was my PE teacher at Ashfield Boys High in the early 70's a very humble man Bless his soul.🙏
Notice the grubber kick throughs in general play by Balmain. Not because it is necessarily the last tackle. Three of them in this footage. I am not sure if it were a general thing in rugby league, or it was a Nosworthy tactic, or a mostly Balmain thing. But Smithies, Reubner, and Spencer all used to do it, and did so into the early 1970s. You would suppose that the idea behind it was for a harder ball retrieval for the opposition and with oncoming defense, and with still some improved field position regardless of regaining the ball or not.
Looks like it was a rugged scrappy sort of game here the toss was quite important. Balmain got the lead on he back of penalties and field goal with the wind behind them. This pressured Souths into higher risk play in the second half, which combined with the enthusiastic defence of the Tigers led to no score other than a penalty kick.
Souths had a truly awesome team from '67 through to 71. But on this day, in '69, they met up against a champion team who simply wanted the win more than they did. Tigers were unstoppable.
This week Bobby Smithies passed away. His funeral is this coming Tuesday. If I can I wish to say that Bobby had a hard life with two women scarring his life that unfortunately Bobby didn't overcome. People helped but his mission was the drink and lived at a pub. Bobby is 4 years older than me and went to the same school. I moved to Sydney in 68 and then Bobby started at Balmain I went to every match and he knew that. My name to him was Marto and at the club we would chat. Well Bobby Marto had to say something and I expect those who played with and against show this Tuesday. Miss yeah mate.
i remember going to the match then afterwards going to balmain leauges club afterwards where laurie balmain number one supporter [now deceased ] was cheered as he came in then the team after him .i remember getting drunk that night & flaked out .somebody woke me up about 4 a m .i cant remember how i got home .i was twenty five
McCarthy didn't have a great day with his hands. Bombed a certain try and dropped a ball right on half time. I remember another incident in the first half where O'Neil passed to McCarthy who was away but was pulled back for a forward pass
It's not shown here but, for me, the pivotal moment was Cleary being dragged down on half way by George Reubner . If Souths had scored then, 10 before half time.....different game entirely. George Reubner......loved that man!
Also saved a certain try from Brian James. That absolutely would have changed the game. Up till then Balmain had done a good job getting up in their faces and dominating field position, but I think that would have stung the premiers out of their apathy. I've slowed that down with front of camera shot and he did drop from about a foot or 12cm. Good decision. Souths really did not turn up to play. They lost the first 20 mins and never recovered. They should not have taken them lightly, having being beaten once during the season and just pipping them by a point with 12 men in the Semi.
Was 17 at the time and went to the Grand final with the family and was on the Paddo Hill. What a memorable game and a fantastic win by the Balmain Tigers. A day i will never forget. Go the Mighty Tigers!!!! Thanks for the great video Peter.
Thanks for sharing this,i was 17, & had to play a tennis final.Would have rather been at the game,but my Tigers won.Great days,girls, beer,music & of course Balmain.,still follow Wests Tigers.
Peter Callaghan I was 15 with my brother and a mate on the Hill I was there in 1966 also with my dad and two of his mates I'm now a Swans man but my brother and I still say it was the best of our greatest days Brought the moon landing back to Earth quick smart
No doubt it was, I loved your story of your grand final day and Monday morning at the office. Perhaps the best 1969 Grand Final story I have ever heard
Oh No! Where's the second half?? No worries, champ, its so good to see this at all. I was there! Went to my first Tigers game in 1966, Tigers v Norths, Leichardt Oval, and became a life long fan. Worked at the old Rural Bank in Liverpool as a smart mouthed gibberer in 69, bet a motza - which I didn't have - and all the bank staff took me on. Monday was brilliant. Was earning $24/fortnight. Collected $170 on Monday morning!
I always said as a North Sydney Bear supporter we should’ve merged with Balmain Tigers. Both Emblem & Mascots have equal presence on jersey, both foundation clubs.
