For the first time, the number of clubs in the league reached double digits due to the admission of Manly-Warringah and Parramatta to the first grade competition.

Balmain's Bob Lulham set a new record for the highest number of tries by a player in a debut season with a tally of 28 tries in eighteen matches.

They led a punishing Berries defence and gave their side a better-than-even chance of possession in the scrum contests.

Balmain's star international centre and Kangaroo captain Joe Jorgenson had played and coached on a country contract in Junee in 1947 but returned to the Tigers reserve-grade in time for the semifinals.

A final 45-yard penalty goal then sealed the match for the Tigers at 13–9 with Jorgenson scoring all of Balmain's points and being chaired victorious from the field.