1940 - 1949

The season also marked the return of the legendary Frank Hyde. Unfortunately injury claimed much of his season and a chance to play in the semi final. 3 teams ended the season aloft the Premiership table with Easts claiming the Minor Premiership on for and against over Balmain and Canterbury. Balmain were then beaten easily 32-8 in the semi final against the 4th placed St George Dragons.

Reserve Grade guided by coach Latchem Robinson won their Grand Final 13-4 over St George but unfortunately 3rd Grade lost their Grand Final to Easts 14-4.

Balmain and Canterbury ended the season equal first and in the playoff for the Minor Premiership, the loss also cost the Tigers the right to challenge for the Premiership. Canterbury went on to win the Premiership.

The season marked the move to Leichhardt Oval and the Tigers captured the Club Championship with all 3 grades making the semi finals. A consolation was winning the Cup Tie state knockout competition. This victory signalled the class of the side to be shown in the years to come.

Newtown were the strong favourites. The SCG was covered in mud and the match was played in driving rain. Again Joe Jorgenson was the difference with 2 crucial penalty goals as the Tigers won 12-8. The season will be remembered for the Tiger Spirit that saw the club go all the way. Coach Latchem Robinson was brilliant and emphasised "teamwork". The side backed up their coach with captain Tom Bourke and 5 other senior players playing every game. Joe Jorgenson's boot was very handy too.

In the 2nd round of the competition the Tigers recorded 4 draws. The Grand Final is now remembered as Dick Dunn's Final because of his amazing 19 point haul for Easts. Both sides scored 4 tries but Easts finished on top.

Jorgenson was named out of position on the wing after an injury claimed the previous 4 weeks of his season. Joe scored 2 tries to give his side a 13-9 lead, but a try right on fulltime by Jack Lindwall of St George gave his brother Ray (who later played cricket for Australia) a chance to win the match. The kick from wide out missed and the Tigers won 17-9.

In the Grand Final against Canterbury Joe Jorgenson made his return to First Grade and the Tigers were glad he did. With 10 minutes to go the Tigers trailed 9-6, with only 3 goals by Jorgenson keeping them in the match. Then Jorgenson crashed over for a try under the posts and after receiving medical attention he converted his own goal to give the Tigers an 11-9 lead. A 45 yard penalty goal then sealed it at 13-9 with Jorgenson scoring all of Balmain's points and being chaired off the field. Bob Lulham's record of 28 tries in 18 matches remains a record to this day.

The Grand Final was played in the mud of the SCG. The Tigers led 5-3 at the break but could not score in the 2nd half. Late in the match Wests forward Kevin Hanson scored a try that the Tigers claimed was short of the tryline. The referee disagreed and award Hanson a Grand Final winning try. The final score being 8-5.