The 1908 season was the first in the history of the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club (now known as the Sydney Roosters). Eastern Suburbs competed in the inaugural match of the inaugural season, of the newly formed New South Wales Rugby Football League, reaching the final which they lost to South Sydney. They have the distinction of being the only club to have competed in every season since that time.
The early years
The Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football club was founded at a meeting held at the Paddington Town Hall on 24 January 1908. The meeting was chaired by Harry 'Jersey' Flegg who was named Easts first Secretary and a delegate to the NSWRL. Flegg was also appointed as the club's first captain and made a team selector. Legendary cricketer of the time Victor Trumper was appointed to Easts first committee, while Lieutenant-Colonel Onslow was made Patron of the Eastern Suburbs club.
At a subsequent meeting held on 7 February John White was appointed as the club's first President while R. Carty was named treasurer. Horrie Miller replaced Flegg as secretary and became the second of Easts two delegates to the NSWRL.
Players
Inaugural season
Premiership Round 1 - The opening match of the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership consisted of two double headers. The match involving Eastern Suburbs was played on 20 April 1908, (the Easter weekend) at Sydney's Wentworth Park ground against the Newtown club. Admittance was sixpence, and for an additional sixpence, one could sit in the grandstand.
The line-ups that day were: Eastern Suburbs: Fred Fry; Johnno Stuntz, William Smith (who was replaced by Horrie Miller after he injured his shoulder during the match), Dave Brown, Dan Frawley; Albert Rosenfeld, Lou D'Alpuget; Bob Mable, Larry O'Malley, Lou Jones, Herb Brackenreg, Sandy Pearce, and Jersey Flegg(c).
Newtown three-quarter Jack Scott had the honour of scoring the first ever try in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership when he took an intercept early in the match. As for Eastern Suburbs, William Smith had the honour of scoring the first ever try in first grade. It was the only try he ever scored for the club. The try was converted by Lou D'Alpuget and ironically this was also the only goal he ever kicked for Easts while Johnno Stuntz's 4 tries remains the most tries scored on debut in 1st grade.
Eastern Suburbs 32 (Stuntz 4, Miller, Brown, Smith, D'Alpuget tries; Jones 2, D'Alpuget goals, Miller field goal) defeated Newtown 16
Newspaper reports of the match were enthusiastic with one journalist describing the match as, "A capital display considering that the contestants have as yet only a fair acquaintance with the rules." Another, The Sydney Mail described it as "The best game of the day".
Premiership Round 2 BYE
Premiership Round 3–16 May 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 2000. Eastern Suburbs 13 (Miller 2, Pearce Tries; Brackenreg 2 Goals) defeated South Sydney 12 (4 Tries). This has always been one of the rugby leagues fiercest rivalries, between the only two remaining foundation clubs - It was no different in that very first encounter.
Premiership Round 4–23 May 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 1500. Eastern Suburbs 21 (Miller, Pearce, Jones, O'Malley, Flegg tries; Jones 3 goals) defeated Balmain 8 (2 tries; 1 goal) Premiership Round 5–30 May 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 800. Eastern Suburbs 9 (Miller 2, Brown tries) defeated Western Suburbs 8 (2 tries; 1 goal) Premiership Round 6–20 June 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 1500. Eastern Suburbs 19 (Dan Frawley 2, Miller, O'Malley, Rosenfeld tries; Messenger 2 goals) defeated North Sydney 11 (3 tries; 1 goal) Premiership Round 7–27 June 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 4000. Eastern Suburbs 26 (Dan Frawley 2, Miller, Brackenreg, Thompson, Rosenfeld tries; Brackenreg 4 goals) defeated Cumberland 5 (1 try; 1 goal) Premiership Round 8–4 July 1908 at the Wentworth Ground. Crowd 1200. Eastern Suburbs 5 (Jones try; Brackenreg goal) lost to Glebe 11 (3 tries; 1 goal) Premiership Round 9–25 July 1908 at the Agricultural Ground. Crowd 400. Eastern Suburbs 34 (Miller 2, Messenger 2, Brackenreg, Dan Frawley tries; Messenger 6, Brackenreg 2 goals) defeated Newcastle 17 (3 tries; 4 goals)