You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

1975 NSWRFL PREMIERS

Coming off an emphatic title in 1974, the Eastern Suburbs Roosters of 1975 is renowned as one of the greatest ever sides in premiership history.

Standing: Elwyn Walters, Grant Hedger, Ian Mackay, Ron Coote, Bill Mullins, Arthur Beteson (Captain), Des O’Reilly, Ian Schubert, Barry ‘Bunny’ Reilly
Kneeling: John Rheinberger, John Brass, Kevin Stevens, Bruce Pickett, Johnny Mayes, John Peard
Standing: Elwyn Walters, Grant Hedger, Ian Mackay, Ron Coote, Bill Mullins, Arthur Beteson (Captain), Des O’Reilly, Ian Schubert, Barry ‘Bunny’ Reilly Kneeling: John Rheinberger, John Brass, Kevin Stevens, Bruce Pickett, Johnny Mayes, John Peard

Jack Gibson's reigning Premiers began the season in indifferent form, winning their opening match against Balmain before consecutive losses to St George and Cronulla, but quickly turned their form around in spectacular fashion to go on an unbroken 19-game winning streak; asserting their dominance as one of the greatest sides of all time.

Retro Round | Dragons v Roosters Grand Final 1975

A 5-8 loss to the Dragons in the first week of the finals was merely a distraction for the Tricolours, defeating Manly 28-13 in the Preliminary Final to reach their second consecutive Grand Final.

The Roosters exerted their dominance in the final, saving the best until last with a crushing 38-nil victory over the highly fancied St George side; setting a record for the greatest Grand Final winning margin - a record which stood until 2008. 

Eastern Suburbs Roosters 38 (John Brass 2, Johnny Mayes 2, Arthur Beetson, Ian Mackay, Bruce Pickett, Ian Schubert tries; John Peard 7 goals) def St George Dragons nil

 

1975 Season Details

1975 Player Details /

Player
No.
Player Age Games Tries Goals Field
Goals
Points
591 Bruce Ayshford 27 1        
628 Greg Bandiera 26 9 1     3
647 Trevor Barnes 23 3        
615 Arthur Beetson 30 20 3     9
595 John Brass 28 24 6 86 1 191
661 Reg Clough 20 1        
656 Mark Cohen 24 2        
625 Ron Coote 30 22 11     33
659 Ray Cupic   1        
639 Russell Fairfax 23 19 7   1 22
648 Bob Farrugia 22 1        
645 Eric Ferguson 22 3 1     3
654 Colvin 'Mick' Field 24 1        
655 Garry Hardaker 20 2        
608 Mark Harris 28 19 14     42
566 Les Hayes 32 2        
652 Grant Hedger 25 8 1     3
658 Denis Hughes 29 1        
622 Ken Jones 23 7        
633 Ian Mackay 22 14 3     9
649 Bill Markou 20 3        
586 Johnny Mayes 28 24 16     48
589 Peter Moscatt 32 1        
587 Bill Mullins 27 14 4     12
653 Des O'Reilly 20 12 4     12
567 John Peard 30 24 1 20   43
646 Bruce Pickett 23 29 5     15
570 Barry 'Bunny' Reilly 28 23 1     3
662 John Rheinberger 21 2        
650 Ian Schubert 19 25 12     36
657 Kel Sherry 23 1        
637 Kevin Stevens 22 16 4     16
660 Greg Townsend 21 1        
651 Dennis Tutty 28 10 1     3
641 Elwyn Walters 32 21 1     3
599 Bert Zara 26   1      
Total Players: 36
Total Games: 25
Total Tries: 96
Total Points: 502
Youngest Player: Ian Schubert (19)
Oldest Player (Squad): Les Hayes (32)
Oldest Player (GF Team): Elwyn Walters (32)
 

1975 Grand Final Line Up:

Position No. Player
Full Back 1 Ian Schubert
Right Wing 2 Bruce Pickett
Inside Centre 3 John Brass
Outside Centre 4 John Rheinberger
Left Wing 5 Bill Mullins
Five Eighth 6 John Peard
Half Back 7 Johnny Mayes
Front Row Forward 13 Ian Mackay
Hooker 12 Elwyn Wlaters
Front Row Forward 18 Grant Hedger
Second Row Forward 11 Arthur Beetson (c)
Second Row Forward 10 Ron Coote
Lock Forward 8 Kevin Stevens
     
Bench 9 Barry 'Bunny' Reilly
Bench 19 Des O'Reilly
     
Coach   Jack Gibson
Assistant Coach   Noel Thornton
Assistant Coach   Bill Anderson

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.