1930 - 1939
Kangaroo Tourist, Frank Griffiths
Balmain Premiers, 1939

Premiership Honours Return

1930
Reg "Whip" Latta played his 200th game for the Tigers in 1930 as the Great Depression set in. Latta became a Life Member and received trophies for his efforts and later became the Club's Vice President. Balmain's Reserve Grade and Presidents Cup sides both won their Grand Finals, thus there were good signs for the future.

1931
Reg "Whip" Latta was forced into retirement after being injured in a trial in Brisbane. He took over the coaching of First Grade but the Tigers slumped to second last after winning just 5 games. He gave up the coaching position the following season.

1932
The Tigers hadn't made the Semi's since 1925.. but with Chook Fraser as coach, the Tigers returned to the Semi's only to go down to Wests 15-7. The depression left the club decimated as players flocked to the country but the move to Drummoyne Oval from Birchgrove Oval was an instant success as the Tigers won their final 4 games to get them into the Semi's after winning only 1 from their first 5 matches.

1933
The Tigers ran 5th after drawing 3 crucial games, but Reserve Grade won their Grand Final despite 7 players absent, playing on a tour in North Queensland. The season was shrouded in the controversy surrounding Balmain's George Bishop being ruled unfit to tour England. Easts' Ernie Norman was in the same boat and despite protests that they would be fit in a fortnight and could play the League ruled against them. A Testimonial match was organised to help compensate the pair and players from 5 clubs participated to make the match a great success.

1934
The season of 1934 brought little joy for the Tigers, and prompted change. The club looked to import talent and the return of former Australian half-back Joe Busch as captain-coach and the blossoming of Jack Redman and Frank Grifiths indicated a brighter future ahead.

1935
The sad loss of Sarty Christensen (prolific point scorer) and Jack Redman is remembered today on the Balmain Honour Roll. Both men were killed while serving their country in World War 2. The Tigers ran 5th, with Easts winning the competition and sparking a 3 year reign. Balmain's Sid Goodwin was selected to play for Australia in the Third Test.

1936
Easts won back to back Premierships in 1936 after beating Balmain in the final 32-12. The season marked the end of the career of "Chimpy" Busch who retired after the final.

1937
The Kangaroo Tour cut the '37 season in half and the shortened season did Balmain no favours. 4 wins and 4 losses left the Tigers well short of the undefeated champions, Easts.

1938
The Tigers started the season with 4 wins but dropped off and were defeated in the Semi Final's by Canterbury who went on to win their first Premiership. Balmain's captain Frank Hyde, Sid Goodwin and Bill Johnstone played for NSW but with no international matches scheduled they were unable to represent any higher.

1939
The 1939 Tigers won back the Premiership for the first time since 1924. The Tigers smashed Souths 33-4. The weekend of the Final will also be remembered for the invasion of Poland by Germany which led to England and Australia going to War.