The Tricolours bounced back from a disappointing 1944 season with the return of Arthur 'Pony' Halloway as coach and captain Ray Stehr from his war service to claim the Club's ninth Premiership.
Losing just three matches all season, two to Wests and one to Newtown, Easts comfortably finished top of the table with eleven wins to their name heading into the finals.
But Easts did away with their western Sydney counterparts in the Semi-Final, winning 28-13 to qualify for the Final thanks to a Paul Tierney hat-trick and Lionel Cooper double.
On September 1st, 1945 - the first day of spring - Easts claimed the pennant in a famous comeback victory against Balmain, highlighted by a starring performance from lock forward Dick Dunn.
Dunn etched his name in Club history, scoring three tries and kicking five goals - including the match-winner - as he tallied 19 of Easts’ 22 points in what is affectionately known as ‘Dick Dunn’s Day’.
He also played every game during the season, scoring 178 points from 12 tries and 71 goals - a record only bettered by Dave Brown in 1935.
The Club finished with the first-grade Premiership, the Minor Premiership, the Club Championship (for the seventh time since 1930), made the Semi-Finals of reserve grade, President's Cup and Cup Tie, and reached the Grand Final in third-grade.
The crowd of 44,585 had more to celebrate the following day as Japan formally signed a letter of surrender, effectively ceasing the war.
Eastern Suburbs 22 (Richard Dunn 3, Jack Arnold tries; Richard Dunn 5 goals) def Balmain 18
1945 Final Line Up
1. Ray Pratt
2. Lionnel Cooper
3. Paul Tierney
4. Johnny Hunter
5. Ken Foster
6. Jack Arnold
7. Sel Lisle
8. Dick Dunn
9. Bert Rollason
10. Sid Hobson
11. Wally Rees
12. George Watt
13. Ray Stehr (c)
Head Coach: Arthur Halloway
