Ten teams from across the city contested the premiership during the season which culminated in a grand final between St. George and South Sydney.

[2] St. George winger Ron Roberts’ 25 tries during 1949 stands in third place behind Les Brennan's 29 in 1954 and Bob Lulham’s 28 in 1947 for the highest number of tries by a player in a debut season.

The 1949 season was also the last in the NSWRFL for future Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee, Vic Hey.

Controlling all aspects of the match, Hawke took the game away from Souths who only got back into the contest when he was forced from the field with injury.

The Dragons' wingers, season's top try scorer Ron Roberts (25 tries) and newcomer Noel Pidding scored two tries each.