A career long remembered

1960

The competition concluded with 4 teams tied for 2nd place, with St George Minor Premiers. After a series of playoffs Balmain were bundled out of the semi's without actually playing a semi final. Reserve Grade made their Grand Final but lost and Third Grade went on to win yet another premiership. Keith Barnes captained Australia in the World Cup and scored over 100 points at club level.

1961

Harry Bath returned to Balmain in 1961, this time as coach. In the first round win over Norths history was made, as this was the first game to be televised. Balmain won 21-19, but then lost the next 6 games. The team turned it around late in the season winning 9 of 11 games in the run into the semi's. It was Wests in the Final that ended the Tigers fairytale run.

There was a tragic end to the season with young forward Don Amos collapsing and dying after playing for his club in a tour of Brisbane.

1962

Balmain did not back up the 1961 achievements with a promising 1962. The side beat premiers St George in Round 1 but other than that they failed to impress. They ended the year in 8th position. Injuries to Peter Provan and Keith Barnes had not helped the Tigers cause but tiny halfback Laurie Fagan was outstanding in gaining state representation and winning the Sun Herald Player of the Year Award.

1963

The 1963 Minor Semi Final provided a freakish try to sink the Tigers campaign. The Tigers finished on 25 points in 3rd position. In the Minor Semi Final against Parramatta the Tigers led 7-4. A penalty kick to the Eels would bridge the gap. The kick hit the upright, cannoned into the ground, bounced back and hit the upright again and then fell into the hands of a Parramatta player who scored the try. Balmain lost 9-7. Keith Barnes had an outstanding season, collecting many awards and was yet left out of the Kangaroo selection along with Dick Wilson and Peter Provan who also had fine seasons.

1964

Harry Bath had his troops in training from January and it showed. The Tigers beat every club in the competition and swept through the semi's to meet St George in the Grand Final. However the Saints made it 9 straight with a 11-6 victory.

1965

Balmain missed the semi finals by one point in 1965. Souths and St George went on to play the Grand Final in front of 78,056 spectators. Balmain's lack of try scoring ability cost them dearly, in 18 games they only scored 27 tries whilst St George scored 89.

1966

1966 brought together another Tigers V Saints Grand Final. St George would make it 11 on the trot but that would be the end of this amazing run. Balmain won their first 11 games but slumped to lose 6 of their last 7. Injuries meant reshuffling and players playing out of position in the Grand Final and this cost them as St George won 23-4. Balmain became the first club to beat a touring Great Britain side, when they defeated the Poms 9-8. Arthur Beetson spear headed Australia to a Third Test victory with an inspiring performance, whilst Keith Barnes was recalled to Test footy and kicked Australia to victory 6-4 in the 2nd Test.

1967

Rugby League moved away from the unlimited tackle rule to adopt a 4 tackle rule in 1967. Balmain were captain-coached by Keith Barnes but poor form late in the season left Balmain 2 points out of the Finals. The club had won the pre-season competition after beating Manly 11-0 in the Final. Bob Boland passed 200 grade games as he captained Reserve Grade to a Grand Final victory over Souths.

1968

After the 1967 season Keith Barnes retired from playing league to concentrate on coaching his side. This retirement was short lived as his side lacked leadership and lost the first 3 games. With his return the side lifted and won games to fight back into semi final contention. In the final washup the side fell 1 point short. In the final game against Norths, Barnes was chaired from the field surrounded by hundreds of Tiger fans. His 14 year career at Balmain will be long remembered.

1969

The Tigers were not given a chance of winning the Premiership after the retirement of Keith Barnes. Souths had won the last two and beat the Tigers in the Final to advance to the Grand Final. In the Final, Balmain trailed 12-14 against Manly until late in the match when winger George Ruebner charged for the corner post to snatch a win in dramatic fashion. In the Grand Final Souths were beaten 11-2 by a determined side of Tigers. Souths boasted 11 internationals but were outclassed by the underdog Tigers.

The 1969 Grand Final Team