1917 NSWRFL Season

The premiership again ran uninterrupted through the war with the same eight clubs, despite the period's wartime conscription controversies affecting Australian society broadly. Balmain finished outright minor premiers on 26 competition points, eight clear of second-placed South Sydney, and were deemed premiers under the automatic-premiership rule with no Grand Final required, completing an emphatic season (269 points for, only 61 against). Glebe were docked two competition points for fielding an ineligible player under residency rules; without the deduction they would have finished level with South Sydney on points. Separately, several Glebe first-grade players were suspended for a year after refusing to play a match relocated away from the Sydney Cricket Ground, costing Glebe gate revenue; Glebe fielded a weakened side and lost that match heavily. Newtown and Western Suburbs tied for third; Annandale and North Sydney tied for the wooden spoon on 4 points.