The first of our 11 in a row premierships started against Balmain at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 8 September 1956. The match got off to a bad start for the Dragons when centre, Merv Lees had to leave the field with a broken collarbone. In 1956, there was no replacement rule and St George had to play out most of the match with one man down. Even though the odds were against them, the Saints scored four tries and help balmain off long enough to win the Grand Final 18-12.
The next premiership came against Manly at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 21 September 1957. St George slaughted Manly 31-9 to record their fourth premiership and second consecutive premiership. Not only did the Saints win the premiership, they also won the Minor Premiership and finished 7 points clear of second placed Manly on the ladder.
St George made a hat trick of Premierships at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 13 September 1958: defeating Western Suburbs 20-9. The Premiership almost wasn't to be when The Saints went down 34-10 against Wests in the major semi final. But they then went on to play the sudden death preliminary final against Balmain which they won 26-21. The Saints also finished the year as minor premiers and 8 points clear of second place.
In the 1959 season St George went through undefeated and destroyed Manly with a perfect score of 20-0 at the Sydney Cricket ground, 15 August, 1959. At the end of the season The Saints had averaged over 30 points per game and conceded an average of 10 points. With the best defensive and offensive side in the competition The Saints never looked like losing the grand final.
St George started the 60s off with a huge win over Parramatta, scoring 52 points to nill. Winning their fifth straight premiership against the Eastern Suburbs at the ,Sydney Cricket Ground, 3 September 1960: The Saints scored seven tries to none, winning 31-6
Sydney Cricket Ground, 16 September 1961: The Saints won their sixth straight Grand Final leaving Western Suburbs scoreless 22-0. Faced with murki conditions and rain falling down every so often The Saints ignored the conditions. Eddie Lumsden (pictured below) had an amazing game, scoring three tries.
Sydney Cricket Ground, 15 September 1962: In a very wet Grand Final, St George narrowly overcame Wests 9-6 to win their seventh Grand Final in a row. Wests did all they could to contain Reg Gasnier and were successful as the star centre was targeted by offside defenders who hammered Gasnier at every opportunity. The only try of the game was scored by Johnny king with Kevin McDonald successfully kicking 3 goals.
Sydney Cricket Ground, 24 August 1963: St George have won their eighth Grand Final in a row in controversial circumstances, downing Wests 8-3 in front of almost 70,000 people.With 15 minutes remaining Johnny King received a pass from newcomer Graeme "Changa" Langlands and raced through the mud down his wing, fending off his opposite John Mowbray. This was one of the most controversial tries in Rugby League history with Johnny King being tackled twice but not being held he regained his footing and ran to the try line.
Sydney Cricket Ground, 19 September 1964: The Dragons have won their 9th premiership in a row after they beat Balmain 11-6. The turning point of the match came five minutes into the second half with the tigers leading 4-2. Balmain defending their own line recieved a penalty and kicked for touch. but Grame Langlands stretched over the touchline, narrowly in the field of play caught the ball and raced cross-field towards Balmain. Passing the ball to Billy smith 25 yards short of the try line the centre then passed the ball to Johnny King who spend down the wing to win the only try of the game.
St George had won their 10th consecutive Grand Final. Defeating Souths 12-8. At the sounding of the fulltime siren, the SCG was invaded by thousands of fans and the ground became a sea of people
Sydney Cricket Ground, 17 September 1966: he Dragons completely outclassed Balmain in the 1966 Grand Final, winning 23-4. To win their eleventh and Final consecutive Premiership. Balmain took an early lead after Keith Barnes kicked a penalty goal, but The Saints truck back when Bruce Pollard scored. Kevin Ryan was the next to score who found a pass from Johnny Raper 25 yards out from Balmains try line. Grame Langlands also had a strong game, kicking seven goals.
1966 marked the end of St George's golden reign when they won 11 premierships in a row, a world record in first grade for an elite team in any sport, and an achievement that will most likely never be equaled.
Back: Reg Smith (selector), Doug Fleming (selector), Bill Summerell (selector), Len Kelly (President), Frank Facer (secretary).
Middle: Graeme Langlands, Elton Rasmussen, Kevin Ryan, Dick Huddart, Eddie Lumsden, Robin Gourley.
Front: Brian Clay, Bruce Pollard, John King, Ian Walsh (c), Billy Smith, Ken Maddison, John Raper.
Ball Boy: D. Price
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