Leo Nosworthy

Balmain winger had a long and successful career in the country before coaching the Tigers to its last first grade premiership title. Nosworthy, who twice represented Western Division against France (1951 & 1955), coached Narromine in 1951 before returning to Balmain. The club's 'Player of the Year' in 1952 he left Sydney in 1953 and spent the next decade as a player coach in Narromine and Dubbo. Nosworthy returned to Balmain as Third Grade coach in 1963 (where he played several matches) and spent five years as a lower grade coach culminating in a reserve grade premiership in 1967. He stood down as coach in 1968 before taking over the first grade reins from Keith Barnes in 1969. Critics felt that the club would battle for success that year but Nosworthy was able to fashion a talented side that had immense faith in their own ability. It is now a part of rugby league folklore that Nosworthy's team knocked over a star-studded Souths side in the grand final, 11-2. He coached the club until 1973, weathering the disappointing letdown the club suffered in the years after its grand final success before retiring.