New South Wales Competitions 1928

[1927] [1929]

Sydney
Newcastle - Hunter District


Sydney

[1927] [1929]

The first ever night football match was played between Souths and Easts at the Sydney Showground on 22nd December 1928. Souths won 10-6. The match was played 9-a-side. It was played without the approval of the NSWRL, who had placed an official ban on it that morning.

A dispute broke out between the NSWRL and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust over a number of issues. This led to the League moving their match of the day to the neighbouring Sydney Sports Ground. The dispute wasn't patched up until 1935.

Premiership

The round 8 match between St George and Balmain has achieved infamy as the Earl Park Riot match. A decidedly ugly affair in which the referee had obvious trouble keeping control ended with a pitch invasion and an all out battle between rival fans that lasted several hours.

Only 14 rounds of premiership matches were played. Why?

[details] [finals]

 1 St George            13 12  0  1  1  200   98  102  26
 2 Eastern Suburbs      12 11  0  1  2  192  116   76  26
 3 South Sydney         13  8  0  5  1  216  152   64  18
 4 North Sydney         12  6  0  6  2  157  149    8  16
   ------------------------------------------------------
 5 University           13  6  0  7  1  184  176    8  14
 6 Western Suburbs      12  4  0  8  2  174  206  -32  12
 7 Glebe                12  4  0  8  2   94  149  -55  12
 8 Balmain              13  4  0  9  1  180  236  -56  10
 9 Newtown              12  1  0 11  2  112  227 -115   6

No minor premiership was awarded, and hence no right of challenge.

Semifinals:

    South Sydney 13 beat St George 5 after extra time.
    Eastern Suburbs 26 beat North Sydney 13.

Final:

    South Sydney 26 beat Eastern Suburbs 5.