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1937 NSWRFL PREMIERS

Despite Dave Brown taking up a lucrative offer to join Warrington in England, Easts dominated the 1937 season and strung together their third consecutive Premiership for the second time in the Club's history. 

Back Row: Stan Callaghan, Jack Beaton (Vice Captain), Jack Coote
Middle Row: Rod O’Loan, Ray Stehr, Max Nixon, Joe Pearce, Ross McKinnon, Andy Norval
Front Row: John Quinlan (Club Secretary), Tom Dowling, Tom McLachlan, Viv Thicknesse (Captain), Fred Tottey, Ernie Norman, Harold Kelley (Club Treasurer)
Back Row: Stan Callaghan, Jack Beaton (Vice Captain), Jack Coote Middle Row: Rod O’Loan, Ray Stehr, Max Nixon, Joe Pearce, Ross McKinnon, Andy Norval Front Row: John Quinlan (Club Secretary), Tom Dowling, Tom McLachlan, Viv Thicknesse (Captain), Fred Tottey, Ernie Norman, Harold Kelley (Club Treasurer)

Halfback Viv Thickness took over as skipper, as the competition reverted back to a 'first-past-the-post' system with the reintroduction of the City Cup at season's end.

The nine-round competition began as the Red, White and Blue defeated Newtown 27-7 to open their account, with a four-match winning streak from Round 3 to Round 6 including scalps over North Sydney (21-6), Canterbury (23-15), University (52-5) and Balmain (25-2).

New Captain: Halfback Viv Thicknesse was named skipper in 1937, guiding the side to their third consecutive Premiership - the second and last time the Club has achieved a threepeat.
New Captain: Halfback Viv Thicknesse was named skipper in 1937, guiding the side to their third consecutive Premiership - the second and last time the Club has achieved a threepeat.

A draw to South Sydney in the penultimate round mattered little as they claimed the Club's seventh Premiership with a 23-5 victory over Western Suburbs in the last round, with the Easts faithful in full cheer at the Sports Ground for a second consecutive undefeated season. 

An inexperienced side charged through the City Cup with only two losses from their eight rounds, and despite suffering a heavy defeat in the Final against Newtown, Eastern Suburbs had established themselves as one of the most dominant sides in Rugby League history with the completion of their three-peat. 

Winger Rod O'Loan continued his stunning try-scoring rate with 16 to his name, while centre Jack Beaton claimed 87 points from five tries and 36 goals.

 

1937 Season Details

 

1937 Player Details /

Player
No.
Player Age Games Tries Goals Field
Goals
Points
232 Jack Beaton 23 8 2 25   56
249 Stan Callaghan 20 3 1     3
178 Jack Coote 29 7 3     9
224 Tom Dowling 27 8   1   2
239 Ross McKinnon 23 5 1 2   7
237 Tom McLachlan 30 8   1   2
205 Max Nixon 26 1        
206 Ernie Norman 24 8 4     12
234 Andy Norval 25 8 4 1   14
240 Rod O'Loan 22 8 7     21
193 Joe Pearce 26 8 1 1   5
235 Harry Pierce 24 8 6     18
190 Ray Stehr 24 8   1   2
210 Viv Thicknesse 26 8 2     6
201 Fred Tottey 27 8 10     30
Total Players: 15
Total Games: 8
Total Tries: 41
Total Points: 187
Youngest Player (Squad): Stan Callaghan (20)
Youngest Player (Team): Rod O'Loan (22)
Oldest Player: Tom McLachlan (30)
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