Balmain, Parramatta and Western Suburbs tied for fifth place, necessitating a play-off drawn from a hat.
Chart Grand final This was the first grand final to be telecast in colour. The star-studded Eastern Suburbs line up had lost only 2 matches in the 22-game regular season and were clear starting favourites. However, St. George looked a chance early on when utility back "Lord Ted" Goodwin put on a chip and chase. Goodwin collided with Eastern Suburbs' fullback Ian Schubert, came off second best and was out of touch for the remainder of the match. Things were also wrong with captain-coach Graeme Langlands who was struggling with his coordination following an ill-directed pain killing injection that numbed his right leg and severely affected his form. At half-time, Eastern Suburbs were up 5–0. Just after the break the Roosters' prop Ian McKay crashed over from close range and the floodgates opened. Eastern Suburbs unleashed a torrent of tries with Johnny Mayes, Arthur Beetson, John Brass, Bruce Pickett and boom recruit Schubert all scoring. Despite his numbed leg, Langlands returned in the second half hoping it would come good. It didn't and he was replaced. By the end of the game, St. George had been completely demoralised by Easts in a 38–0 record Grand final defeat. Fellow
Immortal and peer
Australian Captain Arthur Beetson attempted in vain to console the forlorn Langlands at match end. Easts' eight tries in the grand final matched
South Sydney's record achievement in the
1951 final (subsequently equalled again by
Manly in
2008). ==Player statistics==