Eight teams from across the city contested during the season which culminated in a grand final between Balmain and South Sydney.

Having won all three grades in 1915 Balmain returned in 1916 to repeat the effort for a second straight season.

At the conclusion of the season Balmain and Souths were equal aloft the premiership ladder with 22 points apiece.

The game played on July 26, 1916, in front of just six thousand people, saw the lead change three times in the first half with Balmain ahead 5–3 at the break after a try by Arthur Halloway and a penalty goal by Charles “Chook” Fraser.

The second half saw the game played predominantly on Balmain's line, with South Sydney putting on repeated attacks.