After an extraordinary year for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1974, the chances of the club replicating that success in 1975 was truly wishful thinking.
To recall, the 1974 Roosters:
- Won the Club’s first First Grade premiership in 29 years, defeating Canterbury-Bankstown 19-4 in the Grand Final
- Won the First Grade minor premiership by 8 points
- Won the Club Championship by 67 points
- Won the Pre-Season Cup Final
- Were runners-up in both the Reserve Grade minor premiership and premiership
- Were defeated semi-finalists in the Under 23s competition
The Roosters’ biggest obstacle was the introduction of the 13 Import Rule, which would remain for nine seasons. The 13 Import Rule meant that only 13 players who had not played at least two seasons of junior rugby league with their club could be contracted to play in any of the three senior grades per season.
Given the Roosters had 36 imports in 1974, 24 of whom played First Grade, not even the most optimistic fan would have believed the club could replace at least 23 players and expect to have sufficient depth to defend their First Grade and Club Championship titles.
However, the Roosters did in fact replicate their success in 1975 by:
- Again, winning the First Grade premiership, famously defeating St George 38-0 in the Grand Final (when tries were worth 3 points only)
- Winning the First Grade minor premiership by a whopping 10 points
- Setting a competition record of 19 successive First Grade premiership wins
- Reaching the second week of finals in both Reserve Grade and Under 23s
- Winning the Mid-Season Cup Final
- Winning a second successive Club Championship (this time by 53 points)
Plenty has been written about the extraordinary 1975 Roosters First Grade team and their achievements, but this article aims to focus on the unbelievable Roosters’ Club Championship success, in light of the introduction of the 13 Import Rule.
The Club Championship was introduced in 1930 and until 1997 was based on the performances of each Club’s three senior grades. First Grade premiership points were multiplied by four, Reserve Grade (Second Grade) points were multiplied by three and Under 23s/Third Grade points were multiplied by two.
The Roosters had great success in the early years of the Club Championship, winning it 7 times in its first 16 seasons but didn’t win it between 1946 and 1969. It won in 1970 and again in 1974, the Club’s ninth Club Championship.
Trying to hold on to their best players for the 1975 season was particularly difficult. In light of the success of the 1974 Roosters, naturally many rival clubs targeted several stars and those who couldn’t hold down a regular First Grade spot. But it wasn’t only players who were poached.
Terry Fearnley, one of the Roosters great clubmen of the 1950s and 1960s was Jack Gibson’s right-hand man in 1974, but Parramatta had earmarked him as Norm Provan’s long-term replacement as First Grade coach and he left for the Eels at the end of 1974. However, Parramatta weren’t just satisfied with luring Fearnley. They went after all four Roosters premiership three-quarters (Jim Porter, John Brass, Mark Harris and Bill Mullins). They picked up Porter but missed the other three after Brass knocked them back, which ensured Harris and Mullins stayed as well. The Eels did pick up two members of the Roosters Reserve Grade Grand Final team in centre Ray Strudwick and second-rower Graham Olling. Porter and Olling would go on and play for Australia from the Eels.
In total, 18 players with First Grade experience that were at the Roosters in 1974, left the club.
Departing 1974 Roosters imports with First Grade experience at the Club
| Player | Roosters Years (all grades) | 1975 Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Porter * | 1970 - 1974 | Parramatta |
| Graham Olling | 1972 - 1974 | Parramatta |
| Ray Strudwick | 1973 - 1974 | Parramatta |
| Ian Baker | 1970 - 1974 | Manly-Warringah |
| Laurier Freier | 1970 - 1974 | Manly-Warringah |
| Allan McKean ^ | 1967 - 1974 | St George |
| John Dykes | 1970 - 1974 | South Sydney |
| Doug Lucas | 1974 - 1974 | Newtown |
| Harry Cameron * | 1971 - 1974 | Wests, Brisbane |
| Kel Brown ^ | 1971 - 1974 | Wests, Brisbane |
| John Armstrong ^ | 1972 - 1974 | Wests, Brisbane |
| Pat Kelly | 1973 - 1974 | Wests, Brisbane |
| Greg McCarthy | 1974 - 1974 | Wests, Brisbane |
| Arthur Mountier < | 1974 - 1974 | Dapto, NSW |
| Terry Stevens | 1973 - 1974 | Wests, Newcastle |
| Kerry Collien ^ | 1973 - 1974 | Gundagai, NSW |
| Mick Alchin ^ | 1972 - 1974 | Wentworthville, NSW |
| Mick Souter > | 1974 - 1974 | Early Retirement |
* Played in the 1974 Roosters First Grade Grand Final winning team
^ Didn't play a First Grade premiership match at the Roosters In 1974
> Became a trainer with the Roosters in 1975
< Re-joined the Roosters as an import for the 1979-80 seasons
Apart from those who departed for Parramatta, others to leave included Allan McKean, the former Australian international who was to hold the Roosters point scoring record for 33 years, former NSW hooker Kel Brown and 1974 Roosters premiership winner Harry Cameron. Brown and Cameron were two of five Roosters players to join the Wests Panthers in Brisbane. Under Cameron’s captaincy, the Panthers won the 1975 Brisbane premiership. Both Cameron and Greg McCarthy would go on to play for Queensland.
Another nine imports who had to play First Grade at the Roosters were also shown the door. Among those was Steve Bullow, who would also represent Queensland in the 1970s.
Other departing imports who played at the Roosters in 1974
| Player | Roosters Years (all grades) | 1975 Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Rick McCarthy | 1972 - 1974 | Wests, Newcastle |
| Steve Bullow | 1973 - 1974 | Redcliffe, Queensland |
| Geoff Cahill | 1973 - 1974 | Bondi Sharks |
| Graham Morrisey | 1973 - 1974 | Gulgong, NSW |
| Bill Hilliard | 1974 - 1974 | University Of NSW |
| Brad Marshall | 1974 - 1974 | |
| Jim McMullen | 1974 - 1974 | Wauchope |
| Glenn Phillips | 1974 - 1974 |
Those 26 departing imports were joined by a further 13 non-imports who did not return for the 1975 season.
Other 1974 Roosters who didn't return for the 1975 season
| Player | Junior Club | Roosters Years (all grades) | 1975 Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Galpern | Paddington Colts | 1972 - 1974 | Retired |
| Peter Nunan | Denison Hotel | 1972 - 1974 | Kempsey, NSW |
| Greg White ^ | Waverley Dolphins | 1974 - 1974 | Waverley Dolphins |
| Daryl Gear | Denison Hotel | 1974 - 1974 | Work Commitments |
| Peter Lakeman | 1974 - 1974 | ||
| Dick Wells | Bondi United | 1974 - 1974 | Coogee |
| Keith Peime | Bondi United | 1974 - 1974 | Passed Away (Fiji) |
| Bob Hooper | Clovelly | 1974 - 1974 | Clovelly |
| Stuart Kelly * | Double Bay | 1974 - 1974 | Double Bay |
| Jimmy Hassan | Paddington-Woollahra RSL | 1974 - 1974 | Maroubra |
| Wayne Currall # | Alexandria Rovers | 1974 - 1974 | South Sydney |
| D. Hoban | 1974 - 1974 | ||
| O. Iwanow | 1974 - 1974 |
With only 13 imports allowed the Roosters needed to find up to three dozen players to grade from the Roosters junior ranks. The imports retained totalled 10, including eight 1974 premiership players plus Kevin Stevens and Bruce Pickett.
1974 Roosters imports retained for the 1975 season
| Player | Roosters Years (all grades) | Junior District |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Harris | 1970 - 1979 | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Arthur Beetson | 1971 - 1978 | Roma, Queensland |
| Greg Bandiera *^ | 1972 - 1975 | Innisfail, Queensland |
| John Brass | 1969 - 1976 | Randwick Rugby Union |
| Russell Fairfax | 1974 - 1980 | Randwick Rugby Union |
| Bill Mullins | 1968 - 1978 | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Ron Coote | 1972 - 1978 | South Sydney |
| Kevin Stevens | 1973 - 1980 | South Grafton |
| Bruce Pickett | 1974 - 1977 | Newtown |
| Elwyn Walters | 1974 - 1976 | Tweed Heads, NSW |
* Didn't play a First Grade premiership match at the Roosters in 1973
^ Replaced as an import by Peter Fitzgerald (Canowindra, NSW) for the 1976 season
The Roosters also had contracted four other imports to join the Club for the 1975 season. Unfortunately, for future NSW five eighth Robert Laurie, he was unable to play in any grade for the Roosters in 1975 as he would have been the 14th import. He played the 1975 season with the Paddington Colts club in the Easts juniors and played Presidents Cup that year for the Club.
Imports recruited for the 1975 season
| Player | Roosters Years (all grades) | Junior District |
|---|---|---|
| Dennis Tutty > | 1975 - 1975 | Balmain |
| John Cole *< | 1975 - 1975 | Randwick Rugby Union |
| Ian Schubert | 1975 - 1980, 1982 | Wauchope, NSW |
| Robert Laurie ^ | 1976 - 1977, 1981 - 1982 | Wauchope, NSW |
* Didn't play a First Grade premiership match at the Roosters
^ Played the 1975 season with Paddington Colts due to the 13 Import Rule
> Replaced as an import by Royce Ayliffe (Wollongong, NSW) for the 1976 season
< Replaced as an import by Robert Laurie (Wauchope, NSW) for the 1976 season
The search to fill the other roster spots with Roosters juniors commenced with the retention of 20 men who played for the Club in 1974.
1974 Roosters juniors retained for 1975
| Player | Roosters Years (all grades) | Junior Club |
|---|---|---|
| John Peard | 1965 - 1971, 1974 - 1975 | Bondi United |
| Les Hayes | 1965 - 1975 | Bondi United |
| Johnny Mayes | 1966 - 1972, 1974 - 1977 | Bondi United |
| Ken Jones | 1971 - 1976 | Bondi United |
| John Rheinberger ^ | 1974 - 1976 | Bondi United |
| Grant Beardmore * | 1974 - 1975 | Bondi United |
| Geoff Peard * | 1974 - 1975 | Bondi United |
| Barry 'Bunny' Reilly | 1966 - 1971, 1973 - 1979 | Paddington Colts |
| Ian Mackay | 1971 - 1976 | Paddington Colts |
| John Ferguson * | 1972, 1974 - 1975 | Paddington Colts |
| Greg Townsend ^ | 1974 - 1978 | Paddington Colts |
| Bill Markou ^ | 1974 - 1978 | Paddington Colts |
| Ron Pomering * | 1974 - 1976 | Paddington Colts |
| Mick Kelly * | 1974 - 1975 | Paddington Colts |
| Mick Field ^ | 1974 - 1975 | Paddington Colts |
| Bob Carnie * | 1974 - 1975 | Paddington Colts |
| Eric Ferguson < | 1972 - 1977 | Paddington-Woollahra RSL |
| Bob Farrugia ^ | 1974 - 1977 | Catholic Club |
| Des O'Reilly ^ | 1974 - 1982 | Clovelly |
| Kel Sherry ^> | 1972 - 1975, 1977, 1980 - 1981 | Denison Hotel |
* Did not play a First Grade premiership game during his Roosters career
^ Made his Roosters First Grade debut in 1975
< Yenda junior who qualified as a Roosters junior by playing two seasons in the Easts juniors
> Murwillumbah junior who qualified as a Roosters junior by playing two seasons in the Easts juniors
Five of those 20 juniors (John Peard, Jonny Mayes, Ken Jones, Ian Mackay and Barry ‘Bunny’ Reilly’) were 1974 First Grade premiership players whilst three other juniors (Kel Sherry, Eric Ferguson and Les Hayes) had played for the Roosters in the 1974 Reserve Grade Grand Final.
The next step was to recall as many juniors as possible who were either playing at other clubs or had returned to the junior league. Even players such as Dennis Hughes and Peter Moscatt, who had retired, were brought back to the club for the 1975 season to help fill a three-grade roster. Hughes had last played with the Roosters in 1968. Another junior, Bruce Ayshford, returned to the junior league in 1970 and surely could never have thought that five years later he’d be recalled to grade. Moscatt, Hughes and Ayshford all played First Grade in 1975, whilst Grant Hedger, who returned to the junior league after the 1973 season, would feature in the Grand Final run on side.
Roosters juniors who returned to the Club in 1975
| Player | Roosters Junior Club | First Roosters Stint (all grades) |
1974 Destination | Second Roosters Stint (all grades) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Moscatt | Bondi United | 1962 - 1963, 1969 - 1973 | Retirement | 1975 - 1975 |
| Dennis Hughes < | Bondi United | 1965 - 1968 | Retirement | 1975 - 1975 |
| Trevor Barnes >< | Bondi United | 1971 - 1972 | South Sydney | 1975 - 1977 |
| Grant Hedger ^< | Bondi United | 1972 - 1973 | Bondi United | 1975 - 1979 |
| Terry Keen * | Bondi United | 1973 - 1973 | Woy Woy | 1975 - 1978 |
| Paul Cross * | Clovelly | 1964 - 1965 | Balmain | 1975 - 1976 |
| Mark Cohen < | Clovelly | 1970 - 1971 | Parramatta | 1975 - 1975 |
| Bruce Ayshford | Paddington Colts | 1967 - 1970 | Paddington Colts | 1975 - 1975 |
| Bert Zara | Paddington Colts | 1969 - 1972 | Paddington Colts | 1975 - 1975 |
^ Was a starting player in the 1975 Roosters First Grade premiership team
* Didn't play a First Grade premiership match at the Roosters in 1975
> Didn't play a First Grade premiership match at South Sydney in 1974
< Made his Roosters First Grade debut in 1975
Only two Roosters juniors remained at other clubs and one (Peter Reed) could be classified by South Sydney as a junior due to a recent arrangement that the governing body had brought in. A player who hadn’t previously played a premiership match in any grade but was a junior at a neighbouring club could play grade at the neighbouring club as a non-import. South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs were classified as neighbours for this purpose, as were Parramatta and Penrith, Cronulla-Sutherland and St George, Newtown and Canterbury-Bankstown, Balmain and Western Suburbs and Manly-Warringah and North Sydney.
Roosters juniors playing grade elsewhere in 1975
| Player | Roosters Junior Club | Roosters Years (all grades) |
1975 Club | Years Away From The Roosters (all grades) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Junee | Bondi United | 1962 - 1973, 1976 | Manly-Warringah | 1973 - 1974 |
| Peter Reed ^ | Clovelly | 1976 - 1977, 1980 | South Sydney | 1974 - 1975, 1978 - 1979 |
^ Under the 13 Import Rule, Roosters juniors could play for Souths and not be classified as an import as long as they had not previously played a game in any grade at the Roosters or any other club
The final piece of the puzzle was to introduce into the lower grades a further two dozen juniors, a record number that will never be beaten, who would go on to play Reserve Grade and Under 23s in 1975. Three of those 24 (Ray Cupic, Garry Hardaker and Reg Clough) would also go on to play First Grade in 1975 and three more (Gary Metcalfe, Michael Mosman and Michael Windeatt) would play First Grade in 1976. Metcalfe and Mosman had substantial First Grade careers at the Roosters. The expectations on these players were not high but the Club Championship was won in 1975 because so many were able to take the monumental step from junior league to senior grade.
Juniors graded at the Roosters in 1975
| Player | Junior Club | Roosters Years (all grades) |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Windeatt ^ | Bondi United | 1975 - 1977, 1980 - 1981 |
| Ray Cupic * | Bondi United | 1975 - 1976 |
| John Malone | Bondi United | 1975 - 1976 |
| Len Fuda | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Jim Henney | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Steve Hill | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Vince McKell | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Alan Opera | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Denis Williams | Bondi United | 1975 - 1975 |
| Garry Hardaker * | Paddington Colts | 1975 - 1977 |
| Mick Attard | Paddington Colts | 1975 - 1975 |
| Mark Lord | Paddington Colts | 1975 - 1975 |
| Gary Metcalfe ^ | Bondi Royals | 1975 - 1980 |
| Reg Clough * | Bondi Royals | 1975 - 1975 |
| Michael Mosman ^ | Clovelly | 1975 - 1980 |
| Ray Jones | Clovelly | 1975 - 1977 |
| Phil Jacobson | Fitzroy Hotel | 1975 - 1976 |
| John Smith | Fitzroy Hotel | 1975 - 1975 |
| Bruce Martin | Exchange Hotel | 1975 - 1975 |
| Jamie Griffiths < | Mascot | 1975 - 1975 |
| Geoff Martin < | Maroubra | 1975 - 1975 |
| George Yacoub | 1975 - 1975 | |
| Tony McKenzie | 1975 - 1975 | |
| A. Davidson | 1975 - 1975 |
* Made his Roosters First Grade debut in 1975
^ Made his Roosters First Grade debut in 1976
< Under the 13 Import Rule Souths Juniors could play for Easts and not
be classified as an import as long as they had not previously played
a game in any grade at the Rabbitohs or any other club
It was an extraordinary turnover of players and coaches. Not only did Fearnley depart, but also lower grade coach Stan Bottles, replaced by Noel Thornton and Billy Anderson.
The constant was Head Coach Jack Gibson and a number of club greats determined to win another title. Gibson was unique in those days in having all three grades train together and had great success winning Club Championships. In 1971 as Head Coach at St George he guided the Dragons to the Club Championship and Gibson did it again at Newtown in 1973 before back-to-back success with the Roosters in 1974 and 1975. He would later lead Parramatta to Club Championship success in 1981 and 1982.
1975 Roosters Club Championship squad photo errors
| Photo Caption | Correct Name |
|---|---|
| Denis Tutty | Dennis Tutty |
| Michael Mossman | Michael Mosman |
| Bruce Ashford | Bruce Ayshford |
| Gary Hardaker | Garry Hardaker |
| Lew Fuda | Len Fuda |
| Denis Hughes | Dennis Hughes |
| John Griffiths | Jamie Griffiths |
| Peter Jacobsen | Phil Jacobson |
1975 Roosters Club Championship missing squad members in photo
| Ron Coote | Mark Lord |
| Greg Bandiera | Vince McKell |
| Ian Mackay | Alan Opera |
| Reg Clough | John Smith |
| Mick Field | Jim Henney |
| Mick Kelly | Geoff Martin |
| Bob Carnie | Phil Jacobson |
| John Ferguson | George Yacoub |
| Steve Hill | A. Davidson |
| Tony McKenzie |
With major questions marks around the depth of the Roosters squad it was thought Easts wouldn’t be able to overcome a series of injuries (and suspensions) that would lead to the regular unavailability of quality players.
However, they did suffer many weeks without their best players and were forced to use 36 players in First Grade throughout 1975. 1974 Premiership players Ken Jones missed 16 matches, Greg Bandiera (11), Russell Fairfax (6), Ian Mackay (6), Bill Mullins (5), Arthur Beetson (5) and Mark Harris (5). Premiership lock Kevin Stevens missed 7 matches and high profile recruit Dennis Tutty, a former Australian international, missed 8 games.
When Grand Final day arrived, the Roosters had lost the services of Harris (leg), Fairfax (leg), Jones (arm), Bandiera (hand) and Tutty (arm). Further, club stalwart and 1974 Premiership winner Bunny Reilly carried a knee injury into the decider and only played the final nine minutes off the bench, as a gesture from Gibson, whilst Reg Clough, who replaced the injured John Brass for the Preliminary Final the week before, broke his ankle in that match, his only appearance in first grade.
So, the Grand Final was won, by a record score, by a team missing six players and a roster ripped apart by the 13 Import Rule. 50 years later it still seems hard to believe.
Standing: Elwyn Walters, Grant Hedger, Ian Mackay, Ron Coote, Bill Mullins, Arthur Beetson (Captain), Des O’Reilly, Ian Schubert, Barry ‘Bunny’ Reilly
Kneeling: John Rheinberger, John Brass, Kevin Stevens, Bruce Pickett, Johnny Mayes, John Peard
The Club Championship win was even more remarkable. The Under 23s finished fourth in the regular season and the Reserve Grade team finished third. Off the back of a record 19 consecutive wins the First Grade team finished the season on 40 points, 10 clear of second placed Manly-Warringah.
1975 NSWRL Under 23s Premiership Table
| Club | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cronulla-Sutherland | 22 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 390 | 218 | 34 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 419 | 257 | 33 |
| Balmain | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 342 | 236 | 27 |
| Eastern Suburbs * | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 348 | 258 | 27 |
| Parramatta | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 343 | 299 | 27 |
| Penrith | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 347 | 299 | 26 |
| South Sydney | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 320 | 349 | 24 |
| St George | 22 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 282 | 298 | 22 |
| Western Suburbs | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 286 | 318 | 19 |
| Manly-Warringah | 22 | 8 | 14 | 291 | 276 | 16 | |
| Newtown | 22 | 4 | 18 | 182 | 438 | 8 | |
| North Sydney | 22 | 1 | 21 | 166 | 470 | 1 |
^ Cronulla-Sutherland (1st) defeated Balmain (3rd) in the 1975 NSWRL Under 23s Grand Final 20 - 8
* Eastern Suburbs (4th) defeated Parramatta (5th) in the Minor Qualifying Semi Final 28 - 9 before
losing the next week to Canterbury-Bankstown (2nd) in the Minor Semi Final 26 - 5
1975 NSWRL Reserve Grade Premiership Table
| Club | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta ^ | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 456 | 246 | 35 |
| Manly-Warringah | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 380 | 223 | 32 |
| Eastern Suburbs * | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 292 | 214 | 29 |
| Cronulla-Sutherland | 22 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 399 | 284 | 28 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 306 | 269 | 27 |
| St George | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 297 | 237 | 25 |
| South Sydney | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 286 | 318 | 21 |
| Balmain | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 256 | 388 | 21 |
| Western Suburbs | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 295 | 292 | 19 |
| Newtown | 22 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 210 | 314 | 10 |
| North Sydney | 22 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 277 | 428 | 10 |
| Penrith | 22 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 202 | 443 | 7 |
^ Parramatta (1st) defeated Cronulla-Sutherland (4th) in the 1975 NSWRL Reserve Grade Grand Final 21 - 13
* Eastern Suburbs (3rd) lost to Cronulla-Sutherland (4th) in the Minor Semi Final 23 - 2 after
losing the previous week to Manly-Warringah (2nd) in the Major Qualifying Final 17 - 8
1975 NSWRL First Grade Premiership Table
| Club | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Suburbs ^ | 22 | 20 | 2 | 431 | 198 | 40 | |
| Manly-Warringah | 22 | 15 | 7 | 439 | 314 | 30 | |
| St George | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 341 | 294 | 26 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 330 | 287 | 24 |
| Western Suburbs * | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 365 | 289 | 21 |
| Parramatta # | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 391 | 373 | 21 |
| Balmain | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 288 | 357 | 21 |
| Cronulla-Sutherland | 22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 370 | 375 | 19 |
| North Sydney | 22 | 9 | 13 | 322 | 414 | 18 | |
| Newtown | 22 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 349 | 422 | 16 |
| Penrith | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 312 | 452 | 15 |
| South Sydney | 22 | 6 | 16 | 298 | 461 | 12 |
^ Eastern Suburbs (1st) defeated St George (3rd) in The 1975 NSWRL First Grade Grand Final 38 - 0
* Western Suburbs deducted one competition point for using an illegal replacement player (Mick Liubinskas) in Round 15
# Parramatta defeated Western Suburbs and Balmain in mid-week play-offs to qualify for the 1975 semi finals in fifth place
1975 NSWRL Club Championship Table
First Grade points multiplied by 4, Reserve Grade by 3, Under 23s by 2
| Club | First Grade | Reserves | Under 23s | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Suburbs | 160 | 87 | 54 | 301 |
| Manly-Warringah | 120 | 96 | 32 | 248 |
| Canterbury-Bankstown | 96 | 81 | 66 | 243 |
| Parramatta | 84 | 105 | 54 | 243 |
| Cronulla-Sutherland | 76 | 84 | 68 | 228 |
| St George | 104 | 75 | 44 | 223 |
| Balmain | 84 | 63 | 54 | 201 |
| Western Suburbs | 84 | 57 | 38 | 179 |
| South Sydney | 48 | 63 | 48 | 159 |
| Penrith | 60 | 21 | 52 | 133 |
| Newtown | 64 | 30 | 16 | 110 |
| North Sydney | 72 | 30 | 2 | 104 |
The 53-point winning margin on the Club Championship table was just 10 points shy of the 311 points accrued when the Roosters won the 1974 Club Championship. It was an extraordinary testimony to the Easts coaching staff and the 66 players who represented the Roosters in 1975. An unforgettable year that was simply the best!
