Jim Hale

James Alfred Hale (1916-1992) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s.

Jim Hale

Jim Hale. 1941
Personal information
Full name	James Alfred Hale
Born	10 July 1916 Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
Died	28 December 1992 (aged 76) Sylvania, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1940 South Sydney 3 1 0 0 3 1941–47 St. George 60 20 0 0 60 1948–49 Boorowa Rovers Total 63 21 0 0 63

Hale (middle row left) in St.George's 1946 side - minor premiers

Career

Hale was graded with the South Sydney club in 1940 and switched mid-season to join St. George with whom he played seven seasons between 1941–1947.

He is remembered as the second-row forward in the St George side that was defeated in the 1946 Grand Final by Balmain. At the end of the game, Jim Hale and his ex team-mate Herb Gilbert, Jr. were involved in a brawl when a spectator jumped onto the Sydney Cricket Ground playing area and punched Hale. The incident almost caused a riot amongst rival players and fans and resulted in a number of arrests by police.

Hale, like his father Percy (1887-1953), was an amateur heavy-weight boxer, and the brawl between him and Gilbert was a huge talking point in the Sydney press for days afterward. A brother, Bill Hale also played for St. George[1]

After retiring from Sydney first grade football, Hale captain coached the Boorowa Rovers Rugby League Club in 1948–1949.[2]

Death

Hale died on 28 December 1992, aged 76.[3]

References

1. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson. The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players - 1995 (ISBN 1875169571)
2. The Burrowa News. "Jim Hale Appointed Playing Coach" 30/1/1948
3. Sydney Morning Herald - Death Notice 29/12/1992