Brisbane Rugby League 1938 season
League Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drew | For | Against | Diff | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valleys | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 310 | 54 | 256 | 20 |
| Norths | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 233 | 127 | 106 | 13 |
| Wests | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 120 | 130 | -10 | 9 |
| Souths | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 98 | 195 | -97 | 8 |
| Brothers | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 88 | 197 | -109 | 6 |
| Easts | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 64 | 210 | -146 | 4 |
Rounds
Finals
| Stage | Date | Teams | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Semi-Final | 13 August 1938 | Wests vs Souths | Details |
| Major Semi-Final | 20 August 1938 | Valleys vs Norths | Details |
| Preliminary Final | 27 August 1938 | Norths vs Wests | Details |
| Grand Final | 3 September 1938 | Norths vs Valleys | Details |
Pike Cup
| Stage | Date | Teams | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final | 28 May 1938 | Norths vs Valleys | Details |
‘Babe’ slays the beast of the Valley
There had been some dominant teams in the BRL before – Wests in 1920 and ’22, Carlton in 1930 – but none had dominated quite like Valleys in 1938. The ‘Diehards’ won every regular season game, and won most of them handsomely. Their average scoreline over ten games was about 31-5.
Their 41-0 demolition of a strong Norths team in round five was an extraordinary performance, and so delighted was club treasurer and former premiership-winning half Peter Scott that he “handed every player and reserve ten bob a nob for a noble job”.
‘Firpo’ Neumann was still terrorising everybody. Ivan Blow was the competition’s best playmaker. The brothers Ebbern easily offset the loss of the brothers Robson. Billy Whyte filled the considerable hooking boots of Jack Little. Backrower Nev Smith was arguably the player of the season.
When Valleys dispatched Norths in a tight major semi-final on 20 August, the premiership appeared a foregone conclusion. Norths had even lost one of their best, test centre Jack Reardon, to a horrible concussion which ended his season.
Then, after Norths had knocked out Wests and booked a Grand Final re-match two weeks later, Valleys lost.
While Norths had beaten the Diehards a couple of times during the season – the President’s Cup first round and the Pike Cup Final – they still finished seven points behind in the league, and it was a case of the presumptive champions producing their worst performance of the season on Grand Final day. They squandered opportunities, and despite a late burst which produced a try to Paddy Mitchell, it wasn’t enough.
But it wasn’t just about Valleys blowing it, it had a lot to do with the great Edward ‘Babe’ Collins, who scored one try himself and enabled Vic Rudd’s three-pointer which ultimately put Norths out of reach. Nev Smith may have been the season’s best player overall, but the Babe was peerless on the day.
Pleasingly, there were also a couple of unlikely heroes. First, fullback Col Webster, a journeyman formerly of Wests, Carlton and Souths, who converted both tries and booted three penalties. Second, prop Bob Morrison who having barely played in three years before re-emerging late in the season as a replacement for players absent on representative duty, held his place in the team and won a third premiership. He’d also been part of Grammars’ only title in 1927 and Norths’ maiden title in ’34. Quite the lucky charm was big Bob.
Outside Valleys and Norths, it was mediocrity all round. Wests, champions in 1932 and ’36, started to show their age. Hooker Tom Purtell was moving into the veteran category and prop Henry Denny turned 40 shortly after the season – but he wasn’t quite done yet.
Souths qualified for the finals for the first time but were still a few years away from becoming serious contenders. While a young Easts team showed glimpses of promise among embarrassing defeats, like their 0-74 humiliation against Norths in round two, things were about to go downhill. Their best player Jack Ryrie left for Brothers, while long-time fullback Norm Wright and winger George Cornish would also leave the toothless Tigers before long.
Easts were so bad during World War II they very nearly folded. But they did rise from the ashes and become a force again. 87 years later, they’re still not completely out of the equation in terms of NRL expansion. There’s hope for everybody.
