Rugby League Chic: The LAST-EVER (and ULTRA RARE) Balmain Tigers jersey.

In this episode, Steven looks at the last-ever Balmain Tigers jersey. A rare strip worn against Canberra in 1999.
Music by Bensound.com
License code: ODO8BTKRUYCMAKN0

[@RugbyLeagueHistory]

This is proper rare. Canberra were always sort of the bane of Balmain's existence and now that has kind of transcended onto the Wests Tigers. Of course you had the 1989 Grand Final, then Balmain's last ever game in the NRL was against Canberra where they got battered. There was also a game a couple of year ago where Wests Tigers had to beat Canberra on the final day to reach the playoffs but Canberra battered them at Leichhardt Oval.

[@MartyMcFly3]

The Raiders also wore their heritage strip from 1989 in this match but with a white regular collar instead of the white v neck from '89. Also, an extremely rare Raiders jersey to find.

[@robm9770]

Great Scott! Any pics of this jersey or the game anywhere?

[@tigerwarsaw99]

Great jersey, I dare say better then thier super league and whatever the hell that bottle green thing was

[@MartyMcFly3]

@robm9770 I've never found the game on KZbin or anywhere else but the Jersey can be found on the Raiders website if you google Raiders 40 years Jersey competition. It's a real beauty.

[@TheRetroRugbyLeagueArchives]

i was at that game , on the supporters bus with darren senters parents , we got fl;ogged that day , very sad day

[@mitchstetron]

I caught the supporter bus down to Canberra for this game and sat in the corner bay with all of the Balmain fans. I still have this jersey, still with tags, unworn. I have quite a few of this style so I decided not to wear it and then it just stayed unworn. I can’t remember if I bought it through the club or via a special order at Peter Wynn’s Score? I wish I could remember how I got hold of it. For ages it was in a plastic Canterbury package, which I’ve never seen for a rugby league jersey before or since then. Great jersey. The only one of that style with an NRL logo.

[@StevenRusso]

Thanks for sharing your story. From what I can gather, it was only available from the club and in pretty limited numbers.

[@mitchstetron]

You’re right. It was the 1969 Balmain re-issue issue I had to order through Peter Wynn’s. I must’ve bought it through the club at the same time as I bought my supporter bus ticket.