The Miracle of the 1955 Rabbitohs Season

In the year Bill Haley & His Comets hit number one on the singles charts all over the world with ‘Rock Around The Clock’ and the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, was still recording with Sun Records, the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs also achieved something special which has become a once in a lifetime event. What Souths achieved in 1955 is amongst the most famous in Australian sport. It has been called “The Miracle of ‘55” – an epic, backs-to-the-wall fight which showed incredible courage by Clive Churchill after playing on with a broken wrist and kicking the winning goal after the final siren had gone against Manly in round 17. Even when Souths got into the top four in Round 15, they still had to keep on winning every game as teams below them could easily overtake them. No team has ever figured in so many desperate finishes as the 1955 red and green combination who were led so inspiringly by their player-coach, Jack Rayner. Souths also played the last four games without the brilliance of Clive Churchill, and his replacement Don Murdoch filled in capably.

Souths were clear favourites before the season 1955 started because they still had the nucleus of their premiership winning side while other clubs haven’t improved enough to trouble them yet. Col Donohoe was the only new player at the club. Rabbitoh supporters were backing their club to win the premiership with odds of up to 4-to-1. But as their injuries mounted and form deteriorated Newtown and to a lesser extent St. George overtook them as premiership favourites, because they were leading the competition for most of the season.

To win eleven games in-a-row is always rare in our game, but when they’re all of a sudden-death nature and the last five games were won in the last ten minutes after being down for most of the match, it brings another perspective to it which would be almost impossible in modern day football to replicate. While certainly a fairytale, the Rabbitohs of 1955 were a team full of champion players at the tail end of the club’s second golden era. Their lineup featured nine internationals in Clive Churchill, Ian Moir, Greg Hawick, Col Donohoe, Bernie Purcell, Jack Rayner, Les Cowie, Denis Donoghue and Ernie Hammerton. The last five players noted had all played over one hundred first grade games each. Having gone down to St. George in 1949, Souths had taken four of the five premierships between 1950 and 1954, only losing to Western Suburbs in the controversial decider of 1952. Every one of their matches from mid-season on was literally a sudden-death match, placing incredible pressure upon the players. The way they did it though, stretches the realms of disbelief to almost unbelievable limits. At the end of the year the players each received a then record bonus of £401 from the club, which according to pre-decimal inflation calculator is only a modest $15,080.32 in today’s currency.

While Sydney was gripped with the excitement of Johnnie Ray performing at the old Sydney Stadium during March on his second Australia Tour, the red and greens showed indifferent form in their trial games – with two wins and two losses.

Trial Games – Week 1

Sunday, March 6, 1955, at Redfern Oval (12.30pm)

• Balmain 13 (R.Galvin, T.McGovern, B.Staunton tries; R.Sheridan 2 goals) defeated Souths 10 (K.Turner, L.Brennan tries; B.Purcell 2 goals)
  Crowd: 5,181. Referee: Darcy Lawler. Halftime: Balmain 13-3.

Trial Games – Week 2

Sunday, March 13, 1955, at Redfern Oval (12.30pm)

• Souths 25 (B.Purcell, C.Donohoe, H.Hawick, E.Hammerton, K.Turner tries; Purcell 4, R.Richards goals) defeated Easts 7 (J.Gibson try; A.Ingram 2 goals)
  Crowd: 6,500. Halftime: Souths 17-3.

Trial Games – Week 3

Sunday, March 20, 1955, at Redfern Oval (12.30pm)

• Souths 15 (C.Donohoe 2, E.Hammerton tries; G.Hawick 2, B.Purcell goals) defeated Norths 14 (B.Galvin, T.O’Toole tries; N.McKay 3, A.Arkey goals)
  Crowd: 7,402.

Trial Games – Week 4

Sunday, March 27, 1955, at Redfern Oval (12.30pm)

• St. George 21 (R.Kite, N.Provan, K.Kearney, S.Pert, B.Van Heekeren tries; D.Fleming 3 goals) defeated Souths 16 (J.Graves 2 tries; Graves 3, B.Purcell 2 goals)
  Crowd: 7,500. Referee: Col Pearce. Halftime: St. George 13-7.
  Sent off: C.Churchill (Souths). Charge: Kicking an opponent. Verdict: Severely cautioned.
  K.Brown (St. George). Charge: Kicking an opponent. Verdict: Severely cautioned.

1955 First Grade Trial Matches Played

1955 First Grade Premiership Results

Round 1

Newtown 29 (K.Considine 2, R.Kelly, R.Poole, P.Ryan tries; G.Clifford 7 goals)
defeated Souths 6 (R.Honeysett, B.Purcell tries)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, April 2, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 21,251
Referee: Jack O’Brien
Halftime: Newtown 14-6

It was the worst possible start by the premiers after losing by such a large margin. What made it even worse was that Souths won the ball from the scrums by a huge margin – 26-8. Such a large advantage should normally have given them a crushing victory. But the sad reality was that at no point did Souths look like the premiers of old. In fact, ‘Truth’ noted that it was such a poor game the crowd would have caught a chill through inactive barracking only for the humid heat in which it was played. Long before the final bell rang, thousands of disappointed fans deserted the drab scene, satisfied that the erstwhile mighty Souths could not raise a gallop even if their opponents had fallen over. Bernie Purcell was forced to leave the field after tearing a muscle in his right hip when scoring Souths’ second try. He was carried from the field on a stretcher and Souths played handicapped with one man down for rest of the game. Souths held on gamely until the last twenty minutes of the game, when Hawick lost a lot of his sting after receiving a hard knock on the lower stomach. The Rabbitohs were also missing the drive and leadership from their skipper and second-rower, Jack Rayer, who withdrew from the side on Friday owing to a shin injury. Newtown on the other hand managed to score 15 unanswered points in those last twenty minutes and thus end a five-year jinx by defeating the Rabbitohs for the first time since 1950. In the Sydney Morning Herald’s (SMH) Best & Fairest awards Clive Churchill received one point.

STANDINGS: Newtown 2, Easts 2, St. George 2, Wests 2, Balmain 2, Manly 0, Canterbury 0, Norths 0, Parramatta 0, Souths 0.

Round 2 (Easter Weekend)

Norths 17 (L.Hudson, N.Mackay, T.Pierce tries; A.Arkey 4 goals)
defeated Souths 9 (J.Richards try; G.Hawick 3 goals)
Venue: North Sydney Oval
Date: Saturday, April 9, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 9,690
Referee: Jack O’Brien
Halftime: Souths 7-2

Norths defeated Souths in a thriller at North Sydney Oval. The Rabbitohs again was a patched-up team with four key men out injured, but despite this Norths forwards turned on the pressure in the second half which saw Souths collapse. Hawick kicked a penalty goal for Souths to give them an early lead, which Allen Arkey equalised soon after. Then Souths got a lucky break after Don Burge threw a wild pass to Bob Sait, who turned around and fired the ball to Bob Moon on to Jim Richards who went over for a try, which Hawick converted to give Souths a lucky 7-2 lead at the break. Hawick kicked a penalty goal early in the second for a 9-2 lead, which Norths reduced to 9-7 after Lloyd Hudson scored a converted try. The game stood in the balance until the final ten minutes when Norths scored two converted tries through Noel Mackay and Tom Pierce to give them a well-deserved victory. Norths surprisingly won all three grades to give their fans plenty to cheer about. Despite the loss, Souths’ pivot Greg Hawick received three points in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 4, Wests 4, Balmain 4, Newtown 2, Easts 2, Norths 2, Manly 2, Parramatta 0, Souths 0, Canterbury 0.

Round 3

Souths 36 (I.Moir 4, C.Donohoe 2, L.Brennan, F.Lloyd tries; G.Hawick 6 goals)
defeated Balmain 18 (T.McGovern 2, K.Barnes, B.Staunton tries; J.Fifield 2, K.Barnes goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, April 16, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 15,751
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Halftime: Souths 20-5

Souths won their first game of the season against the Tigers, mainly because they had their stars back for the first time this season. The presence of their leader Jack Rayner, five-eighth Johnny Dougherty, and their representative winger, Ian Moir, were obvious. Moir scored four wonderful tries in the game. The game was too one-sided to be exciting for the bumper crowd at Redfern Oval. Clive Churchill played most of the second half in a blackout and remembered very little of what happened, after a cut reopened which had five stitches applied earlier in the week. The incident happened after he went in to make a heavy tackle. Balmain also had bad luck to lose their fullback Keith Barnes at halftime from concussion. The Tigers battled gamely without him, but the Rabbitohs piled on the points with ease. Dougherty fell awkwardly in a tackle midway through the second half and injured his doubtful leg. Rayner ordered him to retire from the game also. In the SMH Best & Fairest, Hawick received three points, Moir two, and Donohoe one.

STANDINGS: St. George 6, Newtown 4, Balmain 4, Wests 4, Manly 4, Souths 2, Canterbury 2, Norths 2, Easts 2, Parramatta 0.

Round 4 (ANZAC Long Weekend)

Souths 27 (L.Brennan 2, G.Hawick, I.Moir, R.Sait tries; G.Hawick 4, C.Churchill 2 goals)
defeated Canterbury 2 (F.Dunn goal)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, April 23, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 21,027
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Halftime: Souths 10-0

Souths easily defeated the Berries at League headquarters in what was called one of the dullest games ever seen at the ground for years. Thousands of fans walked out during the second half of a drab match which even Souths players admitted afterwards that play became so scrappy during the second half they also had difficulty keeping their interest alive. ‘Truth’ noted that at no stage of the game were Souths ever in danger of losing for the simple reason that Canterbury never at any stage looked like scoring. They had as much idea of penetration as a snake has hips. Hawick kicked a penalty goal in the second minute, then we didn’t get another score until five minutes before the break, when Souths scored two easy tries. During the no scoring period the Rabbitohs bombed at least two more tries through either bad handling or wild passing. Once the Cantabs cracked then the floodgates opened, and it was all Souths in the second half. In the SMH Best & Fairest, Col Donohoe scored three points and Churchill got two.

STANDINGS: St. George 8, Newtown 6, Norths 4, Souths 4, Manly 4, Balmain 4, Wests 4, Easts 2, Parramatta 2, Canterbury 2.

Round 5 (Split Round)

Parramatta 16 (L.Dickson 2, A.Cameron, C.Lemon tries; B.Jones 2 goals)
defeated Souths 7 (M.Gallagher try; B.Purcell 2 goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, May 15, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 15,500
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Halftime: Parramatta 8-7

This match was deferred from April 30, owing to water-logged ground, and because there was a two-week recess of the premiership while representative fixtures were played it became a split round. Last year’s wooden spooners the Fruitpickers thrashed the premiers at Redfern Oval in a major upset. Only the lack of a capable goalkicker prevented the score from going much higher. Their five-eighth, Brian Jones, missed five kicks during the match, four were from relatively easy positions. Parramatta’s pack of forwards, led by Test lock Mick Crocker and nineteen-year-old centre Peter Thompson were the stars of the match. Crocker drove his forwards and Thompson repeatedly brushed off his rivals with devastating runs. Parramatta’s other centre, Ivan Dickson, broke his collarbone after scoring his second try, two minutes before the finish. Souths centres failed badly throughout the match, and this put tremendous pressure on Churchill to defend, whose tackling saved his side on numerous occasions. Hawick failed as Souths’ five-eighth and their half-back Col Donohoe was commonplace. Sait also failed at lock, while Les Brennan and Dick Honeysett didn’t do enough either. Without any surprises, none of the Souths players secured any points in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 8, Newtown 8, Manly 6, Balmain 6, Norths 4, Souths 4, Easts 4, Parramatta 4, Wests 4, Canterbury 2.

Round 6

Easts 18 (F.Ashton, B.Blundell tries; R.Booth 6 goals)
defeated Souths 15 (I.Moir try; B.Purcell 6 goals)
Venue: Sydney Sports Ground
Date: Saturday, May 22, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 14,000
Referee: Austin Shiner
Halftime: Easts 12-11

Arch-rivals Easts scored a surprising victory over their neighbours at the Sports Ground. Souths are now third last on the ladder after their second shock defeated in-a-row. Easts’ fullback, Ron Booth, played a faultless game and rubbed salt into the Rabbitohs wound with six goals. In the forwards, Ferris Ashton and Barry Blundell dominated play for the Tricolours by making openings for their backs. The ‘Little Master’, who backed up from yesterday’s interstate game had a mixed game, being inaccurate with many of his line kicks. Souths’ backline were too slow to exploit the moves which their creative halfback Col Donohoe produced. For the second week in-a-row none of Souths’ players scored in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 10, Newtown 10, Manly 8, Balmain 6, Easts 6, Wests 6, Norths 4, Souths 4, Parramatta 4, Canterbury 2.

Round 7

Souths 27 (J.Dougherty 2, R.Honeysett 2, J.Rayner tries; B.Purcell 6 goals)
defeated Wests 2 (R.Murphy field goal)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, May 29, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 10,442
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Halftime: Souths 16-2

Souths bounced back in great style to beat the injury-riddled Wests Magpies at Redfern Oval. Test stars Clive Churchill from Souths and Keith Holman from Wests were dropped from yesterday’s Sydney side which outplayed the touring French by 25-0, the pair answered the selectors who had dropped them. Souths were at full strength with all players available for the first time this season and all their stars performed well. Holman, who was on the beaten side was always a problem to the Rabbitohs and he never stopped trying. Both Churchill and Holman were restored in the NSW side to meet the French. Les Cowie received three points in the SMH Best & Fairest, while Hawick got two and Dougherty one.

STANDINGS: Newtown 12, St. George 12, Manly 10, Norths 6, Souths 6, Balmain 6, Easts 6, Wests 6, Parramatta 4, Canterbury 2.

Round 8

Manly 14 (K.Diett, R.Duncan tries; A.Kellock 4 goals)
defeated Souths 2 (B.Purcell goal)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
Date: Saturday, June 5, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 3,600
Referee: Jack O’Brien
Halftime: Manly 5-0
Sent off: Hammerton (Souths). Charge: Fighting. Verdict: Severely cautioned. Lenon (Manly). Charge: Fighting. Verdict: Severely cautioned.

The Sea Eagles defeated the premiers for the first time in eight years on a cold day which had driving rain throughout the match at Brookie Oval. The ground was a sea of slush and only about 3,600 spectators braved the conditions. Since Manly entered the premiership in 1947 the two teams met on eighteen occasions, with Souths winning 15 of them and Manly only three. Several Manly players played well, including George Hunter, Rees Duncan, Martin Jackson and John Hobbs all revelled in the heavy conditions. Souths’ backs failed to ignite and never appeared dangerous. Play became heated at times and the referee sent off a player from each side for fighting, with Ernie Hammerton and George Lenon being ordered off late in the match. Jack Rayner received one point in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 14, Newtown 13, Manly 12, Norths 8, Easts 6, Balmain 6, Souths 6, Wests 6, Parramatta 4, Canterbury 4.

Round 9

St. George 29 (K.O’Brien 2, R.Bugden, R.Kite, S.Pert tries; D.Fleming 7 goals)
defeated Souths 11 (L.Cowie, D.Donoghue, I.Moir tries; C.Churchill goal)
Venue: Kogarah Oval
Date: Saturday, June 13, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 11,374
Referee: Fred Erickson
Halftime: St. George 9-5

The Dragons defeated Souths at Kogarah Oval after scoring four spectacular tries in the second half in a fast and open game. They led 9-5 after a tough and fairly even first half in which both teams scored a try each. Souths’ failure to convert any of their ten attempts at goal contributed mainly to their defeat. Churchill landed his sides only goal, which was a magnificent field goal from the half-way line early in the game. He also gave a great exhibition and saved his side on many occasions with his tackling when Saints took control of the game in the second half. Sid Pert from the Dragons had a blinder, while Kearney won the scrums by 23-13, which gave them plenty of possession. Souths didn’t score one try from a concerted move, with all three of their tries coming from opportunism by Moir and Donoghue. Churchill scored two points in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 16, Newtown 15, Manly 12, Norths 10, Easts 9, Balmain 6, Souths 6, Wests 6, Canterbury 6, Parramatta 4.

Round 10

Newtown 17 (R.Poole 2, F.Narvo tries; G.Clifford 4 goals)
defeated Souths 16 (J.Dougherty, I.Moir tries; G.Hawick 4, B.Purcell goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, June 18, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 13,897
Referee: Cliff Brown
Halftime: Newtown 10-4

The Blues secured a lucky win over the Rabbitohs after leading 10-4 at half-time. Newtown scored three tries to two, but all their tries were lucky, coming from Souths mistakes. They were lucky enough to always have someone there to capitalise on their opponents’ mistakes. Souths scored their two tries from constructive play and were always in the game with a chance of victory. The Rabbitohs had a glut of possession from the scrums, but those errors proved costly in the end. Bob Clay found many holes in the Rabbitohs backline, while Narvo, Holloway, Hampson and Stait all defended grandly for Newtown. Newtown fullback Gordon Clifford brought his tally to 100 points for the season. Souths’ last try scored by their Test winger, Ian Moir, was the best of the game, showing perfect exhibition of constructive play. Surprisingly none of the Rabbitoh players polled any points in the SMH Best & Fairest, even though it was one of those games which stood in the balance right to the end.

STANDINGS: St. George 18, Newtown 17, Manly 13, Easts 11, Norths 10, Canterbury 8, Balmain 7, Souths 6, Wests 6, Parramatta 4.

Round 11

Souths 27 (D.Puren 2, G.Hawick 2, J.Rayner tries; B.Purcell 6 goals)
defeated Norths 12 (P.O’Brien, R.Sullivan tries; A.Arkey 3 goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, June 25, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 10,027
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Halftime: 9-all

The mighty Rabbitohs returned to top form after a series of major upsets to thrash the Shoremen at Redfern Oval. Even though the scores were level at half-time, Souths forwards who were brilliantly led by their inspirational captain-coach Rayner, gained complete control. Norths’ forwards showed plenty of fire in the first half, but tired badly in the second half after a strenuous first half. Their only points in the second stanza came when their centre Bob Sullivan scored a try in the dying seconds. Souths’ halfback, Col Donohoe, bewildered his opponents with his clever variation of play. Rayner also returned to his best form and ran 40 yards to score a try after second rower Bernie Purcell made the initial opening. Greg Hawick scored two lovely tries in the second half, and winger, Dale Puren, also scored two tries – one in each half. Left-winger, Ian Moir was unlucky not to score two more tries. Souths were now five points behind the top four with seven premiership games to play. This win marks the beginning of their great run and win eleven sudden-death games in-a-row to claim their sixteenth premiership glory. Donohoe received three points and Rayner got two in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 20, Newtown 17, Manly 13, Easts 13, Norths 10, Balmain 9, Souths 8, Canterbury 8, Wests 6, Parramatta 6.

Round 12

Souths 18 (I.Moir 2, L.Cowie, R.Honeysett tries; B.Purcell 3 goals)
defeated Balmain 10 (J.Fifield 2 tries; K.Barnes 2 goals)
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Date: Saturday, July 2, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 5,800
Referee: Cliff Brown
Halftime: Souths 10-8

The Rabbitohs continued to shine after a dashing display in beating Balmain at Leichhardt Oval on a cold and bleak day. They led from start to finish and despite the closeness of the score at half-time, they were always in complete control. Their star five-eighth, Greg Hawick, was at his best and he made one spectacular run where he ran almost the length of the field. Souths halves had a complete understanding of each other as they worked many clever moves. They frequently handled the ball twice, before off-loading to their backs. Test winger, Ian Moir, figured in two sensational tries to thrill the fans. Ernie Hammerton again won the ball from the scrums and Bernie Purcell was the best of a grand pack of forwards. For Balmain, their centre Terry McGovern was their best player who set up both of their tries which were scored in the last ten minutes of the first half. Hawick was awarded three points and Moir two in the SMH Best & Fairest.

STANDINGS: St. George 22, Newtown 19, Manly 15, Easts 13, Norths 12, Souths 10, Balmain 9, Canterbury 8, Wests 6, Parramatta 6.

Round 13

Souths 43 (R.Honeysett 2, D.Donoghue, J.Dougherty, M.Gallagher, E.Hammerton, I.Moir, B.Purcell, J.Rayner tries; B.Purcell 7, G.Hawick goals)
defeated Canterbury 9 (P.Hayes try; F.Dunn 2, P.Hayes goals)
Venue: Belmore Oval
Date: Saturday, July 9, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 4,000
Referee: Austin Shiner
Halftime: Souths 19-5

Souths recorded their biggest win of the year against the hapless Berries at Belmore Oval. Unfortunately, all newspaper reports are missing so we cannot give you any idea of how the play went besides the scorers. Incredibly, lock-forward Nick Evans from Canterbury received three points in the SMH Best & Fairest, with Rayner two and Hawick one.

STANDINGS: St. George 22, Newtown 21, Manly 17, Norths 14, Easts 13, Souths 12, Balmain 11, Canterbury 8, Wests 6, Parramatta 6.

Round 14

Souths 37 (D.Puren 3, R.Moon 2, C.Donohoe, I.Moir tries; B.Purcell 7 goals)
defeated Parramatta 15 (B.Mann 2, P.Thompson tries; B.Jones 2, J.Slade goals)
Venue: Cumberland Oval
Date: Saturday, July 24, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 6,800
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Halftime: Souths 18-12

The Rabbitohs scored a runaway victory over the Fruitpickers at the old Cumberland Oval. They dominated play from the start and quickly ran to an 18-4 lead. Parramatta then fought back gamely, scoring two quick tries just before the break to make it 18-12. The second half was all Souths as they put on another 19 points to 3. But five of Souths’ tries came from bad passing of Parramatta. Winger Dale Puren showed great pace and keen anticipation to notch a hat-trick of tries. ‘Daily Telegraph’ said that Col Donohoe starred for Souths, by spearheading most of their attacking movements. Donohoe continually put his side on the attack with long runs from the scrum base. ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ was more critical of Souths and their forwards, who were missing the guidance of Jack Rayner. They said Souths won because of their speed and from individual efforts. They did not show the teamwork expected of a premiership winning side.
Remarkably, Harry ‘Mick’ Crocker, from Parramatta received three points, Col Donohoe from Souths two, and Barry Mann from Parramatta one point, in the SMH Best & Fairest. Former Test fullback, Frank McMillan, was the judge in this game and I’m not sure if he was at this game or whether he was asleep during the play. Even their local paper, ‘The Cumberland Argus’ noted that Souths scored seven tries to three, which gives an idea of its superiority. They do acknowledge that Crocker, after a hard match the day before for Australia against the French, was tireless in his efforts to open up play for Parramatta. But still, look at the overall picture – it just doesn’t make sense how they get thrashed and then their players get the majority of best player award points. Clive Churchill, who captained Souths, also backed up from the Test match and by all reports he played well. ‘Daily Telegraph’ said he gave a great display of line kicking and tackling but he was not worthy of any points. They didn’t even mention Crocker in their match report.
In other matches, Newtown defeated St. George 15-10 to go on top of the ladder. The Dragons have now lost two in-a-row and were displaced as leaders, whereas Newtown were declared favourites to win the title after their fine victory.

STANDINGS: Newtown 23, St. George 22, Manly 19, Easts 15, Norths 14, Souths 14, Balmain 13, Canterbury 8, Parramatta 6, Wests 6.

Round 15

Souths 22 (D.Puren 2, L.Cowie, R.Honeysett tries; B.Purcell 5 goals)
defeated Easts 11 (R.Thomas try; N.Pidding 4 goals)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, July 30, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 28,305
Referee: Cliff Brown
Halftime: Souths 10-4

The Rabbitohs scored their fifth successive win in a “backs-to-the-wall” fight for a place in the semi-finals in front of the season’s largest premiership match crowd so far at the SCG. The win put them in fourth place on the ladder. ‘Truth’ newspaper fittingly referred to the two teams as “Mighty rivals of the ‘Golden Age’ of Rugby League football”. The Tricolours seemed overawed by the occasion and made too many mistakes. George Crawford in his ‘Daily Telegraph’ column wrote: “On yesterday’s form, Souths are now my tip to win yet another premiership”. Souths’ club president, Jack Thom, said after the match: “There’s an old axiom – you can always depend on the old dog for the hard road”. The Rabbitoh’s veteran forwards, four of whom have each played more then 100 first grade games, were the major factor in their great win by taking command of the game from the outset. Early in the season when Souths lost a few matches and dropped down the ladder, many critics wrote them off, claiming their stars were too old and the great run they had enjoyed in recent years was over. All that has now changed as the Rabbitohs make a gallant bid to retain its prestige as the League’s glamour side. In the SMH Best & Fairest Souths winger Dale Puren top scored with three points, and halfback, Col Donohoe, received two points.

STANDINGS: Newtown 25, St. George 24, Manly 21, Souths 16, Easts 15, Norths 14, Balmain 13, Canterbury 8, Parramatta 8, Wests 6.

Round 16

Souths 28 (I.Moir 2, C.Donoghue, E.Hammerton, R.Honeysett, D.Puren tries; B.Purcell 5 goals)
defeated Wests 17 (N.Charlton, J.Thompson, N.Trevena tries; Trevena 4 goals)
Venue: Pratten Park
Date: Saturday, August 6, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 3,700
Referee: Austin Shiner
Halftime: Souths 18-6
Sent off: Watson (Wests). Charge: Punching. Verdict: Severely cautioned.

The premiers had a hard battle on their hands to overcome the Magpies 28-17 at Pratten Park. The Rabbitohs looked set for an easy win after they scored three tries in the first fifteen minutes of play. But a hard tackle on Martin Gallagher injured his shoulder, and they were forced to send him on the wing and bring Ian Moir into the centres. The change was successful as Moir ran through the defence from the half-way and score a wonderful try. Things got even worse for the red and greens after their goalkicker Bernie Purcell injured the muscle on his legs. Clive Churchill and Dale Puren took over the kicks but they failed with all their attempts. Purcell then returned as the goalkicker and kicked one goal from 40 yards out after taking only one step back before kicking the ball. Gallagher didn’t come back after the break and they reshuffled their lineup again, with Moir returning on the wing, and Les Cowie coming into the centres. They played the rest of the game with only five forwards, including a crippled Bernie Purcell. The Magpies took charge of the game in the last twenty minutes under their leader and lock, Neville Charlton. He was the best forward on the ground and led all Wests’ attack and his defence saved them on many occasions. Clive Churchill wrote in his ‘Truth’ column that his team were unlucky to lose Gallagher after the break, and they took a risk to play it safe in the second half. Wests also lost a player in the last ten minutes when Ron Watson was sent off for punching and later severely cautioned. Wests’ lock-forward Nevill Charlton topscored with three points in the SMH Best & Fairest, Ian Moir got two, and Colin Donoghue received one point.

STANDINGS: Newtown 27, St. George 26, Manly 21, Souths 18, Easts 17, Norths 16, Balmain 13, Canterbury 8, Parramatta 8, Wests 6.

Round 17

Souths 9 (L.Cowie try; C.Churchill 2, D.Puren goals)
defeated Manly 7 (J.Hobbs try; G.Kellock 2 goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, August 13, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 10,300
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Halftime: Souths 4-2

The mighty Rabbitohs recorded a vital win over Manly – it’s seventh in-a-row to qualify for the semi-finals. This was probably the most famous of all South Sydney stories. Clive Churchill broke his left wrist in the first tackle he made in the match and then played under intense pain for the next 75 minutes. Several minutes later he brought down the burly Manly winger George Hugo and clearly was showing pain.
Despite the pain he stayed on the field against the wishes of Souths officials, and at half-time his injured wrist was strapped and a thick sheet of cardboard used as a splint. Souths led 4-2 at the break to keep their premiership hopes alive. But early in the second half Manly fullback Gus Kellock kicked his second goal to tie the scores at 4-all. Kellock then missed another easy kick at goal and the next score didn’t happen until late in the match when Manly centre Johnny Hobbs picked up a rolling ball at half-way, then side-stepped Churchill and beat Bob Honeysett in the run to score beside the post. Kellock missed the easy conversion, and Manly now led by 7-4.
Then captain Rayner called on the team for a last, desperate all-in effort. Souths half-back Col Donohoe went close as he lost the ball over the line after crossing near the posts. Some of Souths players disputed referee Col Pearce’s decision, but the referee was in line with Donohoe. Donohoe admitted after the match he had lost the ball. Then with only two minutes left the ball swung across the field and Col Donohoe initiated a move which led to Les ‘Chicka’ Cowie scoring a miracle try, which locked the scores at 7-all. Churchill was given the opportunity to convert the try and win the game, which Souths needed to keep their semi-finals hopes alive. The conversion was taken 3 inches from the sideline, and as Churchill steadied himself for the kick, he adjusted the splint on his broken wrist and approached the ball faultlessly. The ball appeared to be directed outside the eastern goal post but in the last few yards veered inside the post and give the Rabbitohs a 9-7 win. Souths players, who were still congratulating Cowie on his try which equalled the score, all rushed to Churchill. There was still about a minute left to play and Manly received a penalty right on half-way when the final siren sounded, and Gus Kellock prepared for his kick to salvage a draw for Manly. It was a great effort, but the ball was just off line and Souths recorded a remarkable victory. When the referee blew the final whistle the crowd went wild with excitement, spectators hugging and kissing Souths players, some female Souths supporters wept uncontrollably. Inside the dressing room veteran Souths official Percy Horne emotionally declared: “That’s the sort of thing that many years ago earned us the title ‘The Mighty Souths’. I have been mixed up with football for more then 40 years, but Churchill is the only man I have seen who would have kicked that goal in such agonising circumstances.” Then Mr Horne walked across to Churchill and patted him on the head and proudly said” “Good you, Little Mr. Guts!”
Churchill’s goal is undoubtedly one of the epics of League. Former South Sydney president, Mr. Dave Spring later said: “Only a great player like Churchill could carry on while facing such a mental hazard as a broken wrist. Churchill must go down as one of the stoics of the code. His gallantry was in the best tradition of rugby league.
Souths halfback, Col Donohoe, received three points in the SMH Best & Fairest and winger Dale Puren got two.

STANDINGS: Newtown 29, St. George 28, Manly 21, Souths 20, Norths 18, Easts 17, Balmain 15, Canterbury 8, Parramatta 8, Wests 6.

Round 18

Souths 27 (I.Moir 2, D.Puren 2, R.Honeysett tries; B.Purcell 6 goals)
defeated St. George 17 (G.Weekes 2, K.O’Brien tries; D.Fleming 4 goals)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, August 20, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 28,007
Referee: Cliff Brown
Halftime: Souths 15-12

Jim Mathers in his ‘Truth’ newspaper match report said it all: “The Mighty Souths!” They are, and yesterday they lived up to their years-old reputation as the big occasion team to defeat St. George 27-17 and qualify for the semi-finals. Souths took the field without their fullback, Clive Churchill, and had a few recent changes in their backline. Their chances of victory before the game were low, but they simply swamped the Dragons in a paralysing onslaught which they maintained for the full course of 80 minutes. They played like a team inspired as they added ten points in the last ten minutes to claim their eighth successive victory and avoid a mid-week play-off with Norths. George Crawford in his ‘Daily Telegraph’ column wrote: “During the first round when Souths were at the bottom of the competition, I tipped they would rise and win again”. Old players and League officials went to the winners dressing room and told the Rabbitoh players they looked like winning another competition. Denis Donoghue summed up the spirit at the club when he said: “We have another three matches to win (a semi-final, preliminary final and grand final) to take the premiership. But no team can stop us now”.

STANDINGS: Newtown 29, St. George 28, Manly 23, Souths 22, Norths 20, Easts 17, Balmain 17, Parramatta 10, Canterbury 8, Wests 6.

Semi-Final

Souths 14 (L.Cowie, D.Puren tries; B.Purcell 4 goals)
defeated Manly 12 (W.Lloyd, P.Burke tries; A.Kellock 3 goals)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, August 27, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 35,677
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Halftime: 5-all

Bernie Purcell, who played in his 100th first grade game kicked the winning goal for the Rabbitohs against the Sea Eagles. The win was their ninth in-a-row which advanced them to the preliminary final against St. George in two weeks’ time. Purcell told his story as he showered after the match, by saying: “My prayer was answered. The ball passed just about six inches inside the goal post”. The win was true to their tradition as they rallied gloriously to beat Manly. Souths played the last 35 minutes of the game a man short. Their international halfback, Col Donohoe, tore a hip muscle five minutes after the match started and he battled on until he was forced to end his day five minutes into the second half. Lock Les ‘Chicka’ Cowie went to halfback, filling the job capably, as one would expect a player of his experience and versatility.
Manly’s bustling tactics through their forwards rattled Souths early in the match and the Rabbitohs were never really allowed to play their usual open style football. The score was 5-all at the break and many onlookers predicted that Souths’ older forwards would be ‘found out’ in the second half. But that didn’t happen, as their forwards answered the call after Donohoe was forced to retire, and by their usual strong and purposeful play took the honours in the second half. Ernie Hammerton still managed to win the scrums by 13-9, even though his side were one forward short when Cowie went to halfback. Besides the scrum win he also had a great game in general play, being there for Spencer’s pass, then sending the ball onto his outside centre Honeysett who piloted winger Dale Puren through for their second and decisive try.

Preliminary Final

Souths 18 (J.Rayner, I.Moir tries; B.Purcell 4, D.Puren 2 goals)
defeated St. George 14 (R.Bugden, T.Ryan tries; R.Kite 4 goals)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, September 10, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 41,583
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Halftime: St. George 11-7

Souths forward, Bernie Purcell, proved to be the matchwinner again after kicking two brilliant goals to snatch a thrilling 18-14 win over St. George in the preliminary final. This was their tenth successive win to defend their title as the League’s champion. The Dragons led 11-7 at half-time, but Souths players and many spectators thought the Rabbitohs were unlucky when Martin Gallagher’s try was ruled a no-try. He caught a long pass from Purcell, following a cross-kick by Dale Puren from the right wing. Referee Col Pearce ruled the pass forward. Keen judges sitting in direct line with the pass strongly criticised the decision, claiming Gallagher had been a yard behind Purcell when he took the ball.
Then Dale Puren kicked a goal for Souths to bring them closer at 11-9 early in the second half. The Dragons were next to score through winger, Tommy Ryan, who scored a try in the 55th minute to give his side a commanding 14-9 lead. Puren kicked another penalty goal to bridge the gap at 14-11, and in the 65th minute Les Cowie made a break and passed to Ian Moir who scored a try just to the left of the goalposts. This made it 14-all and the conversion seemed easy for Puren, who had kicked two earlier goals, but he hooked the ball to the left of the posts. Souths fans groaned and five minutes later Tommy Ryan dropped the ball over the goal-line, in almost the same spot where he scored his earlier try. That try would have probably sealed the game up for the Dragons, but lady-luck wasn’t with them on the day.
There was very little between the sides, as each team scored two tries, and each was unlucky not to score another one. For most of the game St. George led the way, but those last eight minutes proved crucial. Their captain-coaches overeagerness to strike the ball in the scrums earned Souths two penalties in which Purcell was able to put points on the board from both penalties and win the gruelling match. The season’s largest crowd gave Souths a well-deserved ovation at the end of the game.
Purcell happily remarked in the dressing room later: “It’s a triple celebration for Souths. As well as our victory, it’s Denis Donoghue’s 29th birthday, and hooker Ernie Hammerton’s wife gave birth to a daughter this morning. We couldn’t let Denis or Ernie down today”. In contrast, St. George players were gloomy in their dressing room and their captain-coach Ken Kearney refused to comment. He was asked to comment particularly on the 15-1 penalty count against his side in the second. Their Test winger, Ross Kite, did comment by saying: “I guess it’s no disgrace to be beaten by Souths. I thought we were the better team, but Souths have an uncanny knack of rising to the occasion”.

Grand Final

Souths 12 (I.Moir, C.Donohoe tries; B.Purcell 3 goals)
defeated Newtown 11 (K.Considine try; G.Clifford 3 goals; Clifford field goal)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, September 17, 1955 (3.15pm)
Crowd: 42,466
Referee: Cliff Pearce
Touch Judges: Terry Leffler, Jack Kelly
Halftime: Newtown 8-4
Scrums: Souths 30-12
Penalties: Newtown 18-13
Goalkickers: Purcell (Souths) 3/6, Clifford (Newtown) 3/8
Weather: Showers earlier, strong southerly wind
Ground: Fair

NEWTOWN BLUES 11 – 12 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

40 minutes each way

Man of the Match: Jack Rayner (Souths)

Scoring Progression

• 3 min: South Sydney 2–0 (Purcell goal)
• 9 min: 2–all (Clifford goal)
• 15 min: Newtown 4–2 (Clifford goal)
• 17 min: 4–all (Purcell goal)
• 25 min: Newtown 6–4 (Clifford goal)
• 36 min: Newtown 8–4 (Clifford field goal)
• 44 min: Newtown 8–7 (Moir try)
• 61 min: Newtown 11–7 (Considine try)
• 74 min: South Sydney 12–11 (Donohoe try, Purcell goal)

South Sydney snatched the premiership from Newtown in the last six minutes of the grand final, after scoring a converted try in traditional Souths ‘do or die finish’. It was one of the best fought grand finals ever and of the most gripping and gruelling games seen in years. Newtown were leading 11-7 with six minutes to go and seemed sure to win. Some Souths officials admitted later they had “given it away”. But their courageous players had other ideas. Twenty yards out from the Blues goal-line and in front of the posts, a Newtown player was playing the ball. A Souths forward lashed at the ball in the ruck and it rolled several yards into Newtown’s territory. Peter Ryan went to pick it up, but the ball rolled between his legs. Then Rayner dashed ahead and before Ryan could recover and Rayner then kicked the ball into the goal-line, where Col Donohoe sprinted fast and dived on the ball to claim the match-winning try. Newtown were still leading 11-10, but the try was very close to the posts, which made it an easy conversion for ice-cool Bernie Purcell.

Newtown came back with great determination and with three minutes to go Souths prop Norm Nilson was penalised about 45 yards downfield, and wide out near the left wing. It was Newtown’s last chance for victory and their fullback Gordon Clifford took the kick. He made a wonderful attempt with the wind against him and the ball was sailing straight towards the post, but it dipped short and dropped under the crossbar.

Their all-inspiring captain-coach, Jack Rayner, was judged as man of the match after playing major roles in both of his team’s tries. Jack Rayner's fifth grand final win that day stands along with Ken Kearney's five wins by 1960 as the greatest number of grand final successes by an individual as captain. As captain-coach for all of those wins Rayner was thus also the first man to coach a side to five grand final victories.

South hooker, Ernie Hammerton, who won the scrums by 29-12 revealed after the match that he had dislocated his shoulder at work three times earlier that week. A doctor strapped the shoulder to enable him to play. He said he kept the shoulder injury a secret so that Newtown players wouldn’t know about it and use it against him.

Many things have been written about this team in the past and some stories have incorrectly claimed that Souths came from last to first. Even the ‘Daily Telegraph’ match report noted they came from last to first, and that they were running last in the competition in the middle of June, which is incorrect, because they were only last in round one after their heavy defeat to Newtown.

The win was Souths’ fifth premiership in the last six years, and its sixteenth title overall. The season’s record crowd paid full tribute to Souths’ great fight, for when the final whistle blew the crowd stood and cheered for ten minutes as Souths players trotted around the ground carrying the J.J. Giltinan Shield. Souths president, Mr Jack Thom, addressing the players in the dressing room said: “The Rugby League world is proud of you. Your efforts in winning eleven successive matches, despite adversities, have upheld the club’s reputation as ‘The Mighty Souths’!”.

This was also the fifth successive match in which Souths snatched victory in the last ten minutes and is best described as the last page of a fairytale.

1955 First Grade Premiership Ladder

1955 First Grade Premiership Matches Played

Country Week

(These fixtures were usually played one week before annual City-Country)

A typical South Sydney spirited effort ended in a traditional whirlwind finish. ‘Sunday Telegraph’ called it the best match of the season. Newcastle led 4-3 at the break and in the second half when Souths started their finishing burst, the lead fluctuated excitingly. Newcastle buckled under pressure owing to their failure to win an even share of the ball from the scrums and the hard knocks some of their players received. Early in the second half Newcastle scored a converted try to edge ahead 9-3, then Rayner scored a try which Hawick converted to make it 9-8 in favour of Newcastle. Souths hit the front to lead 13-9, and Newcastle regained the lead with 14-13. The last eleven minutes was all Souths as they added 12 points during this period. Greg Hawick kicked a penalty goal to make it 15-14, then two converted tries from Les Brennan and Ian Moir sealed a brilliant win for the Rabbitohs.

Game 1:
Souths 25 (M.Gallagher, J.Rayner, L.Cowie, L.Brennan, I.Moir tries; G.Hawick 5 goals)
defeated Newcastle 14 (D.Adams, L.Batey tries; R.Naughton 4 goals)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday, May 7, 1955 (3pm)
Crowd: 18,476
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Halftime: Newcastle 4-3

1955 Souths First Grade Country Week

Domestic Tours

It was a custom for Souths to play against Toowoomba ever since that memorable ‘Club Championship of Australia’ match in 1925. The team was well managed by former player Perc Horne, and according to the report published in our club Annual Report the group of players left Sydney Cricket Ground after their game against Newcastle and headed for the airport so they could depart at 7.25pm on Saturday, May 7. They arrived at Brisbane via A.N.A. airlines by 10.50pm. Then they were transported by bus to Toowoomba to spend the night there. The next day they played their match against the Toowoomba representative side and the first half was fairly even, with the locals just ahead at 10-7. But in the second half Toowoomba forged ahead mainly owing to their condition and the Rabbitohs showing signs of strain after playing a hard game against Newcastle the day before, which you’d expect. What surprises me most about this is we never heard or read any bad remarks from any players from that era complaining about their schedule and that it was too much, or of any other complaints. All the players accepted it and did their best accordingly.

In their return clash the Toowoomba side travelled to Sydney. The Galloping Clydesdales were unbeaten so far that season and would have been very confident of victory again after beating Souths so easily in the first game. ‘The Telegraph’ noted that Toowoomba played the match as if it was a competition final, but it proved futile as the Rabbitohs won a tight game by 22-17. Souths even lost Greg Hawick in the second half with a knee injury, and Jack Rayner with probable broken ribs. They weren’t allowed to be replaced according to the rules at play in those days. The Rabbitohs played the last twenty minutes of the game with only eleven players, playing solidly to stave off a strong Toowoomba challenge.

Game 1:
Toowoomba 45 (W.Monkland 3, R.Brown, T.Payne, G.Laird, R.Buckley, J.Duncan, A.Smith tries; N.Teys 8, S.Hunter goals)
defeated Souths 17 (D.Puren, R.Honeysett, J.Rayner tries; D.Puren 3 goals; C.Churchill field goal)
Venue: Athletic Oval, Toowoomba
Date: Saturday, May 8, 1955 (3pm)
Crowd: 6,000
Referee: Harry Reithmuller
Halftime: Toowoomba 10-7

Game 2:
Souths 22 (I.Moir 2, D.Puren, B.Purcell tries; Purcell 5 goals)
defeated Toowoomba 17 (W.Monkland, R.Buckley, R.Brown tries; N.Teys 4 goals)
Venue: Redfern Oval
Date: Saturday, July 17, 1955 (3pm)
Crowd: 6,875
Referee: Col Pearce
Halftime: Souths 19-5

1955 Souths First Grade Domestic Tours

1955 First Grade Premiership Players’ Records

Halfback Col Donohoe was the only new player at the club, he was also the only player to play in all 21 games for the club. He continued to give good service to the Rabbitohs and played with the club until 1959, also being captain in two games. Bernie Purcell was the top pointscorer for the Rabbitohs with 138 points, coming from two tries and 66 goals. Test winger Ian Moir scored the most tries with eighteen.

Player Records

Les Brennan (5 games, 3 tries, 9 points)

Souths junior who played in Souths’ Presidents Cup side in 1950 and then was graded by the club the following year. He spent three seasons in the lower grades at the Rabbitohs before getting his break in the top grade in 1954 after Cliff Smailles retired the previous season. Les always played on the right wing, and his teammate on the opposite wing was none other than Kangaroo winger, Ian Moir. Brennan scored a club record 29 tries in his debut season in first grade in only 19 games, while Test winger Ian Moir scored 21 tries in the same season. His club record stood until Alex Johnston eclipsed it twice in successive seasons with 30 tries in 2021-22.

Clive Churchill (Vice-Captain) (14 games, 5 goals, 1 field goal, 12 points)

Marist Brothers Hamilton junior who went on to become arguably the most inspiring figure in Australian rugby league history. A resourceful and courageous fullback, he was Test captain for several years. A ‘legend’ in his own time, Churchill gave many memorable displays for Central Newcastle, South Sydney, NSW and Australia. In 1947 he left Newcastle to play for the Rabbitohs and the following season was selected for the Kangaroo tour, and in 1950 at the age of 23, he became one of Australia's youngest captains leading the home side to a thrilling third Test victory over England at the SCG. Churchill was described by Harry 'Jersey' Flegg as the greatest all-round champion the Rugby League code has ever known. He revolutionised the role of fullback with his evasive running and flawless tackling. Churchill closed his career in football by coaching Souths to four Sydney premierships in five years between 1967 and 1971. He was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985, and inducted as a life member of Souths in 1961. Also in 1985, he was selected as one of the initial four post-war “immortals” by the Rugby League Week. His name was inducted in Australia Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2002 and was later named in South Sydney Dream Team at fullback.

Les Cowie (20 games, 5 tries, 15 points)

‘Chicka’ first played footy at his birth town of Rockhampton. He served in the Australian Army during WWII as a Private, then joined Souths after playing in the Services teams during the war. In 1948, the dynamic lock represented NSW and toured with the Kangaroos (scoring 10 tries in 20 minor games) but had to wait until the following season against New Zealand to make his Test debut. Arguably his greatest moment came against Great Britain in 1950, when he was a member of Australia's third Test team that recaptured the Ashes after 30 years. Souths also won the premiership that year and Cowie went on to play an integral role in the great Rabbitohs teams of the 1950s. When his playing career ended in 1958, the loyal clubman continued on as a Souths selector before progressing to the Australian selection panel in 1978. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1961 and was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for his services to rugby league.

Denis Donoghue (20 games, 3 tries, 9 points)

‘Top Rabbit’ was a Souths junior who served in the RAN as an Able Seaman between 1945-46. He was graded with Souths in 1948 and made his first grade debut with the Rabbitohs that year against Parramatta in Round 10, playing in 166 top grade games for the club. He won five premierships with the grand old club in 1950-51 & 1953-55. One of the toughest and most brutal players to ever play the game, Donoghue was also one of the best front rowers in the code. A rock-solid defender and strong runner of the ball, his specialty was scrummaging. He was also peerless as an enforcer. He debuted for Australia in 1951 against the touring French side and was selected for the Kangaroo Tour in 1952. He broke his leg on the first trial and missed all six Test matches. He stood down from Test representative duties following it. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1962.

Col Donohoe (21 games, 4 tries, 12 points)

‘Chappy’ was an Easts junior who was graded by the Tricolours in 1949. The following year he went to Barmedman and returned to Easts in 1951. The nippy halfback made his Test debut against NZ in the Third Test in 1952. A Kangaroo tourist that year Donohoe played in 16 matches in England and France. His career highlight was when he was called into the Second Test line-up against Great Britain at Swinton. Donohoe, who was captain-coach of Easts in 1953, went to Wollongong the following year to captain-coach Corrimal and although he represented NSW again, he could not get back into the Test team. The snowy-haired halfback joined Souths the following year and played his part in the club’s great comeback to make the 1955 grand final (it was Donohoe who grounded the ball late in the match to score the try that won the premiership).

Johnny Dougherty (17 games, 4 tries, 12 points)

Dougherty went to the same school as future Immortal, Clive Churchill, who was almost four years his senior. They both were products of their school in Marist Brothers Hamilton. Another interesting fact is that he was born on the same day and year as Les Brennan, who was his teammate at Souths. The Rabbitohs signed him up in 1953 and he made his first grade debut in round 2 of that year against Newtown. In 1956 he played in four interstate games, scoring 2 tries. He had two chances for selection with the Kangaroos, both failed owing to injury. He was extremely disappointed at not being able to represent his country, and Clive Churchill once described Dougherty as one of the greatest players never to play for Australia. The Little Master later wrote in several newspaper columns how the acceleration of Doherty was the spark in Souths during those golden years, and the overall importance he had to the team and their attack.

Martin Gallagher (14 games, 2 tries, 6 points)

Portland Colts junior who came to Souths in 1949 and then moved to Norths in 1950-51, where he made his first grade debut in his first year at the club. The following season he went back to his hometown of Portland to play for the local side and returned to the Rabbitohs in 1953. The slick centre won selection for NSW in 1954 and then finished his career with Parramatta in 1960. He was the instigator of the RL Players’ Association, and when it was formed, he was elected its first Secretary.

Ernie Hammerton (20 games, 2 tries, 6 points)

Souths junior who was built more like a nail than a hammer during his playing days and always performed well above his claimed 82kgs in weight. His straightforward and loyal approach to life was evident throughout his playing and administrative careers. He played in seven consecutive premiership deciders 1949-55, winning all but 1952. After making his debut for NSW in 1951, Hammerton made his only Test appearance against France in Brisbane. He played the early part of 1953 at Boorowa, before moving back to Souths and help them win another premiership. In 1956 he forced his way back into the NSW side and toured with the Kangaroos (no Tests). He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1963, and the NSWRL in 1986. In 1990, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM).

Greg Hawick (12 games, 3 tries, 18 goals, 45 points)

Local junior who was graded by the Rabbitohs in 1950, and after appearing in one reserve grade game was immediately promoted to first grade. Superlative backline player in the great Souths’ team of the 1950s, Hawick started his career as lock but played half, five-eighth and centre with Souths, NSW and Australia. After playing in the club’s 1950 grand final win, he missed out on a second premiership when he broke his jaw in the 1951 semi-final against St George. Hawick left the club to play for Wagga Kangaroos in 1957 and kicked a record 15 goals for NSW in the fourth interstate match that year. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1990, and in 2004 he was named in their Dream Team, as a reserve.

Bob Honeysett (18 games, 9 tries, 27 points)

Honeysett played his junior football with the South Sydney Fernleighs, and was a member of Souths' 1953 winning Presidents Cup team and played grade for the Rabbitohs from 1953-57, including 52 first grade games. He moved to Norths in 1958-59, where he was selected to represent NSW in 1959. He became the second player of Indigenous background to captain NSW, after Jack Why. He then had stints with Young and Wagga Magpies, also representing Riverina.

Frank Lloyd (4 games, 1 try, 3 points)

Lloyd played his junior footy with Cleveland Street and in 1952 played in Souths’ Presidents Cup side. The Rabbitohs graded him later that year and he made his first grade debut in 1954 against Newtown in round 3. In his five seasons at the club he managed eight first grade games, scoring 2 tries. Lloyd worked as a labourer and truck driver, he was also a heavy smoker and died from larynx cancer in 1989, aged 57.

Ray Mason (1 game, 0 points)

Local junior with Alexandria Camelias and Rovers. He was graded with Souths in 1951 and played seven seasons with the club, making his first grade debut in 1951 against Newtown in Round 15. The nippy halfback won three premierships with the Rabbitohs during the club's second golden era of the 1950s (in 1951 and 1953-54). In total he played 127 grade games for the club, including 35 in first grade. His younger brother Bert Mason played lower grades with Souths in 1953 & 1959-60. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1967.

Ian Moir (19 games, 18 tries, 54 points)

Port Kembla junior who joined Souths in 1952, making his first grade debut in that year against Manly in round 1. In 1953 he was the season's leading try scorer with 20 tries and, in a devastating display of pace and power, scored three tries in the 1953 final win over St George the start of three straight premierships for the Rabbitohs. Moir broke into Australia’s World Cup squad in 1954 and finally made his Test debut against NZ in 1956 before touring with the 1956-57 Kangaroos. His career was to yield another World Cup campaign (1957) and a total of 8 Test appearances (the highlight being a three-try effort against NZ in 1959). Moir, who scored a club record-equalling 5 tries for Souths in a match against Parramatta in 1957, saw out the final two seasons in Sydney with the big spending Wests club. Dazzling speedster was rated the fastest man in rugby league during the 1950s. A beach sprint champion, Moir won a professional sprint race worth £500 (the Canberra Gift) early in his career.

Bob Moon (3 games, 2 tries, 6 points)

Alexandria Rovers junior who played for Souths in their Presidents Cup side in 1952, and the Rabbitohs graded him in the same year. He made his first grade debut the following season against Canterbury in Round 15 at Redfern Oval. He scored a try on debut as the Rabbitohs ran riot over Canterbury-Bankstown, winning by 51-15. He played in 81 grade games with Souths, 19 in first grade, including the 1953 grand final win against St. George. He was forced to retire owing to a badly dislocated arm.

Don Murdoch (6 games, 0 points)

Souths junior who served in the Royal Australian Air Force during WII between 1945-46. He was graded by the Rabbitohs in 1948 and made his first grade debut in that year against Newtown in round 14. The fullback was understudy to the legendary Clive Churchill during much of his grade career at Souths. Murdoch played in the 1952 grand final loss to Wests and the emotional 12-11 win over Newtown in the 1955 grand final when Churchill was unavailable. He would have been a regular first grader at most other clubs but chose to stay loyal to the Rabbitohs. His last game was in 1956 against St. George in Reserve Grade, round 17, when he badly injured his finger after 10 minutes of play and then retired from the game.

Brian Murray (1 game, 0 points)

Murray played with South Sydney Fernleighs in the great Souths Juniors nursery and in 1952 played in Souths’ Presidents Cup side. The club graded him in 1953, and in that season made his first grade debut against St George in Round 5, scoring a try on debut which turned out to be his only try scored in the top grade. In his eight-year playing career with the Rabbitohs he played in 273 grade games, including 40 games in the top grade. He then coached Souths' Junior Reps in the 1960s and Souths Under-23s in 1974-75 and their Reserve Grade in 1976-77. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1984.

Norm Nilson (1 game, 0 points)

‘Nipper’ was a Botany junior who played in Souths’ Presidents Cup sides between 1945-47 and was graded by the Rabbitohs in 1948, when he made his first grade debut against Norths in round 16. In his nine seasons at the club he played in 23 first grade games. After retiring as a player he served the club in many roles including Club President from 1976 until 1982, Chairman of the Club and on the Board of Directors from 1983 until he resigned on 27th August 1990. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1963.

Bernie Purcell (17 games, 2 tries, 66 goals, 138 points)

Souths junior who went to play for Wests in 1947-48 after falsifying his residential qualifications to get away with it, which was a common occurrence at the time. He missed out on playing in Wests’ winning grand final side in 1948. The following year he came to Souths and commenced a long and successful association with the club. The robust second row forward was called into the Australian Test team at an historic time in the code in 1950. Captaining Souths on occasion, as his cousins Paddy Maher and Jack Walsh had done, Purcell played in the 1950-51 & 1954-55 premiership deciders as well as losses in 1949 and 1952. He missed out on Souths' success in 1953 when captain-coaching Cootamundra. In the 1955 grand final, it was Purcell's calm conversion of a late try that gave the club a 12-11 win over Newtown. In 1957 he overtook Benny Wearing Snr as the club's top pointscorer. The ice-cool goalkicking forward held that record until Eric Simms overtook him. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1961.

Dale Puren (11 games, 11 tries, 3 goals, 39 points)

Wests junior who was graded by the Magpies in 1952, making his first grade debut in that year for the club against Parramatta in round 15. He got married in January 1955 and moved to live at Redfern, and after trialling with Souths got graded in their third grade side. After a few games in lower grades, he got promoted to first grade at the Rabbitohs, playing on the wing. He continued playing with Souths until he left the district in 1959. Due to business reasons, he didn't play any rugby league in 1960 and 1961, when he again tried out with Souths, and later with Norths. He played in eight first grade games for Norths, but his football career ended when he fractured a kneecap in 1961.

Jack Rayner (Captain-Coach) (18 games, 4 tries, 12 points)

Rupert John Rayner, known simply as ‘Jack’ Rayner, came from the Lismore area where he played a bit of rugby league at Lismore High in the 1930s. He preferred to play hockey and cricket instead, becoming an accomplished first grader in both games. In May 1941 he enlisted for WWII where he served for four years. While serving in New Guinea he was co-opted to play in several inter-regiment and battalion rugby league matches - and on a muddy field at Port Moresby with an old pair of Army boots he was spotted by Eric Lewis, former Souths player, who asked him if they both managed to live through the war would he consider playing football with South Sydney when he got home. In 1946, Rayner turned up at Redfern to keep his word and play with a Rabbitohs team that had won just one game the previous year. A decision he later said he never regretted. After playing in a trial match he was graded in the Rabbitohs first grade side, and never actually played in any lower grades for Souths or anybody else in all his career. He took over as coach in 1950 from Dave Watson, and with immediate success to win their first title in 18 years. His six years as captain-coach included five premierships and one of the most controversial grand final defeats in the game's history, the 1952 loss to Wests, when several bad refereeing decisions cost Souths the premiership. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1968, and in 2008 he was selected in Souths’ Dream Team as a coach.

Jim Richards (20 games, 1 try, 3 points)

‘Pig Iron Jim’ was a local junior who played in Souths’ Presidents Cup side in 1948. The following season the Rabbitohs graded him and he made his first grade debut for the club in 1953 against Manly in round 4. The hard-working front rower played 83 first grade games for Souths, also playing in their premiership winning teams in 1953 and 1954. In 1957 he played on the South Coast and in 1958 he played for Newtown. He co-owned a successful heavy haulage and cottage business with his brother Dick Richards, called Richard Richards Pty Ltd. He was also uncle of Richie Powell, and Bryan Fletcher is also related to him.

Bob Sait (5 games, 1 try, 3 points)

Souths junior who played in Souths' winning Presidents Cup side in 1953, same year the Rabbitohs graded him and he made his first grade debut in 1954 against Newtown in round 12. In the three seasons he played at the Rabbitohs he managed six top grade games. He then left Sydney to play in the country and returned in 1959 to play for Easts, where he played another three first grade games. He is the uncle of Paul Sait.

Bill Sandstrom (1 game, 0 points)

Chelsea United junior who was graded by the Rabbitohs in 1952, and in the next five season at the club he played in 62 grade games, one of them was in first grade - which was in 1955 against Manly in round 17. That was without a doubt the most important game we played all season, where Clive Churchill broke his wrist and then kicked the winning goal right on full time to keep our hopes alive on defending our title. He worked as a clerk and died in 2012, aged 81.

Malcolm Spencer (5 games, 0 points)

Souths junior who was a bit of a journeyman throughout his career. He was graded by the Rabbitohs in 1952 and made his first grade debut for the club in that year against Balmain in round 13. He went to play for Easts the following season, where he managed two more first grade games. Then in 1954 he captain-coached Bellingen and came back to the Rabbitohs to be a part of the miraculous 1955 season. In his two seasons at the club he played in 14 first grade games, scoring four tries. In 1956 he left Sydney to play at Railways Rockhampton, and the following season came back to Sydney and finish his career at Newtown, where he played another seven first grade games, scoring two tries. His fine career ended when he was hit by a car outside of the SCG and then spent the next six years in and out of hospital.

1955 South Sydney Administrators

They say football success always starts at the front office and every successful club needs the right people to guide them onto their success. We at Souths have been fortunate in having some of the best administrators throughout our rich history and there have been many tributes given to them because a lot of our early success was partly due to our great administration.

Cecil Saunders (Patron)

Saunders was a lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW and then became a Barrister, admitted on 11th February 1949. He was Vice-President of the South Sydney Football Club in 1947-51 & 1954, and Patron of the Club in 1955-59. His other duties included being on the Junior Committee in 1950-51, Appeals Committee in 1950-51 and Retention Committee in 1955-59. He was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1967.

Jack Thom (President)

Thom served in the Army during WWII as a Private, between 1942-43. He played 28 first grade games for Sydney University in 1930-32 and then went on to become president of the South Sydney club in 1955, and later club patron. After war service he practiced as a solicitor and was elected Alderman for City Ward, on 1st December 1956 to 4th December 1959 and for Fitzroy Ward, 5th December 1959 to 30th November 1962. He was a member of the Finance Committee and the City Planning and Improvements Committee 1957-62. He served the South Sydney Football Club as Patron in 1966-67 and from 1970 until he died in 1993, as well as Club President in 1955 until he resigned on 8th May 1956. Thom was inducted as a life member of Souths in 1974.

George Hanson (Treasurer & Delegate to the League)

Hanson played junior rugby union and rugby league in the South Sydney area. He played in Souths’ Third Grade in the years 1912-13, then enlisted in the Army during WWI as a Private, between 1914-18. Upon his return from war duties, he played another season in Souths’ Third Grade. In 1930 he became a Junior League official, rising to the presidency and ultimately being elected President of the South Sydney district club in 1940. He resigned the Presidency in 1945 to succeed the late Bill Bruce as Treasurer in 1945-59 & 1966-72, and then also became a Delegate to the League in 1946-69 & 1966-72. During this period Souths have broken all records from the finance angle and on the field. He was bestowed with life membership at Souths in 1962. He was also inducted as a life member of the South Sydney Junior League.

George Ball (Secretary & Delegate to the League)

He was Souths’ pioneer administrator and a remarkable figure in the development of the South Sydney Club and the growth of rugby league in the 20th century. He was a man of calm disposition and solid judgement, and he had seen his beloved Rabbitohs, and the League, grow through the years. In 1907 he was one of five founders who helped established the South Sydney club. When the club was officially formed on 17th January 1908 Mr Ball became Hon. Treasurer and stayed in office until the following year. He was the first Secretary of the Australian Board of Control and was for many years a NSW representative on that body. He was inducted as a life member of the NSWRL in 1912, and of Souths in 1962.