When locals talk of Canowindra’s best ever rugby league players Joe Jorgenson would have to get a mention. He was one of three
Internationals who coached Canowindra along with “Rocker Norman” and Ron Boden. Jorgenson actually captained Australia in a Three Test Series against Great Britain and was relieved of the captaincy in the second test as selectors believed that the added pressure was effecting his normally deadly goal kicking.
Jorgenson played with the Tigers and moved to Parramatta in 1954. Other Canowindra players who Jorgenson met up with at Parramatta were Ken Slattery and Maurice McClintock. Slattery was a Parramatta captain and played for NSW.
When coaching Canowindra the Tigers had one of their best ever years in the Jack Hore Gold Cup competition. Jorgenson was Balmain’s top point scorer in 1950 with 124 points and had gained a reputation as an accurate goal kicker.
In 1953 under Jorgenson, Canowindra had seven successful defences of the Jack Hore Gold Cup until they played Cargo in the last challenge of the year seeing Cargo victorious 6-5. This was the start of a golden era for Cargo who again in 1954 won the Cup from Canowindra in the final challenge.
In the Group 11 competition Canowindra shared the lower end of the table with Peak Hill and Condobolin. Apart from his football prowess Jorgenson was well known for his good looks. He was born in Berry on the 12th September 1921 , Cecil Keith Jorgenson and passed away in 1993 aged 71 years. His Memorial Plaque appears in the Shoalhaven City Hall of Fame along with other Rugby League notables such as Tony Branson, Bruce McGuire, Luke O’Donnell, Andrew Walker and others.
By Tony Hardman