Joe Jorgenson

Australia's first post-war Test captain represented NSW in 1941 while playing for Port Kembla. Originally from Berry, Jorgenson came to Balmain in 1944 and scored over 100pts in his first season with the Tigers. He played in the centres in the club’s 1944 grand final win over Newtown and topped the 100pts mark again the following year. Jorgenson revolutionised the art of goal-kicking when he used a mound of sand, as opposed to a divot of turf, to gain greater height with his kick. (He preferred to kick the ball 'Dave Brown' style with the laces facing downward). In 1946 he turned his back on a record offer from English club Huddersfield, setting his sights instead on an Australian Test jersey. Jorgenson was selected Australian Test captain for the First Test against England but the match ended in an 8-all draw and he was relieved of the captaincy for the Second Test. When C’bury centre Ron Bailey was ruled out of the Third Test Jorgenson was reinstated as captain but Australia was soundly beaten. Although Balmain went on to win the grand final that year, Jorgenson left Sydney to take on the role of captain-coach with Junee but the move was not a success. When he failed to make the Country and NSW sides he returned to Balmain in time for the 1947 semi-finals. Although playing reserve grade he forced his way into the club’s grand final team against C’bury and scored all of his team's points in the 13-9 win (1t, 5g). Jorgenson played for the Tigers until 1953 (he was the season's leading point-scorer in 1950 with a modest 124pts) but saw out his career with a handful of matches for P’matta in 1954. He passed away in May 1993 after a short illness, aged 71.