1970 - 1979
Gary Leo
Tigers meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the SCG 1970
Geoff Starling

A Decade of Greats

1970
The chances of repeating the Grand Final victory of 1969 were dashed when Balmain lost 7 of its first 11 matches. The side regrouped to win 9 second round matches but missed the semi's by 3 points. Arthur Beetson played in 3 tests against Great Britain but was overlooked for the World Cup Tour. Balmain prop Barry McTaggart did make the Tour.  

1971
Balmain missed the Top 4 by only 2 points but struggled to beat the top sides throughout the season. 18 year old Geoff Starling became Australia's youngest overseas tourist after a remarkable season. Winger Paul Cross led the try scoring table with 18 tries and kept the Tiger fans entertained all year.

1972
Balmain only won 6 games and had 1 draw in 1972 and finished 3rd last in a disappointing season. Leichhardt Oval underwent a rebuilding program and the Tigers played out of the Sydney Sports Ground. Geoff Starling was selected in the World Cup squad proving that his 1971 form was no fluke.

1973
The League introduced a Final 5 format for the semi finals but this didn't affect the Tigers who only win 7 games and were lucky not to win the wooden spoon. On a bright note, Gary Leo played his 200th game, Geoff Starling went on the Kangaroo Tour and club secretary Kevin Humpreys was elected Chairman of the ARL and NSWRL. Balmain also won the newly formed Under 23's Grand Final 10-7 against Newtown.

1974
The wooden spoon had not been in Balmain since 1911, but it returned for the second time in club history when the Tigers won only 4 games and had 2 draws. The opening round loss of 62-5 set the trend for things to come. The side its first 8 games and never won a game during the pre season. An injury to Geoff Starling ended his season and later his career. Leichhardt Oval also hosted the Amco Cup because of its lights and ability to televise night football.

1975
Balmain made a return to semi final contention after yet another slow start to the year. After winning only 2 of the first 7 games the Tigers bounced back to be in a 3 way playoff for 5th place. The Tigers lost the mid week playoff to Parramatta, 19-8.

1976
Balmain began the year with an undefeated run through the pre-season "Wills Cup" competition. The side also won the Amco Cup knockout in front of a record crowd of 21,600. The Tigers won 8 straight games and led the competition but a mid season slump left the Tigers in the same position as in 1975. A last round loss yet again robbed the Tigers of a final five placing.

1977
Balmain returned to the semi's for the first time since 1969 with the help of 2 English imports, David Topliss and Brian Lockwood. Topliss was brilliant at five-eighth and his efforts in the semi final against Manly at the SCG are still talked about by those who saw it. Unfortunately Easts led by Bob Fulton knocked the Tigers out convincingly in the semi's, 26-2.

1978
The loss of the English imports left Balmain without the necessary attacking skills to contest the Premiership. Larry Corowa took the league by storm with his speed and swerve. The Tiger winger scored an amazing 24 tries in 1978 and was rewarded with selection on the Kangaroo Tour with team-mate Allan McMahon. Norm "Latchem" Robinson's retirement as Club President ended his association with the Tigers that spanned over half a century.

1979
Former Queensland and Australian test players, Greg Oliphant and Rod Morris joined Balmain and strengthened the side. The Tigers made the pre-season Final but lost to Manly 12-9. 3 losses in the final 3 games cost Balmain a spot in the top 5, and in the end the Tigers missed the semi's by one point. McMahon, Morris and Corawa all represented Australia in the first series that Australia had white-washed the Englishmen 3-0.