Ernie Hammerton

Who is Ernie Hammerton?

Ernest Alfred Hammerton was an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and 50s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative hooker, he played club football in the NSWRFL Premiership for South Sydney, appearing in seven consecutive grand finals for them. Hammerton later became a selector for both the New South Wales and Australian national teams.

A South Sydney junior, at the end of the 1949 NSWRFL season Hammerton played in his first grand final at hooker for South Sydney who lost to St. George. At the end of the 1950 NSWRFL season Hammerton played in the grand final at hooker for South Sydney who defeated Western Suburbs. In 1951 Hammerton was selected to represent Australia, becoming Kangaroo No. 288. He played a sole test match, a 23-11 victory over the touring French team. At the end of the 1951 NSWRFL season Hammerton played in the grand final at hooker for South Sydney, scoring a try in their victory over Manly-Warringah. At the end of the 1952 NSWRFL season Hammerton played in the grand final at hooker for South Sydney who lost to Western Suburbs.