In 1913, Canadian Football consisted of three separate leagues: the IRFU (Interprovincial Rugby Football Union), the ORFU (Ontario Rugby Football Union), and the CIRFU (Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union). During the regular season, the teams in each league would play each other, but not the teams from the other two leagues. The Hamilton Alerts applied for reinstatement in the ORFU under the name of the East Hamilton Athletic Association, but the request was denied. However, using the name of the Hamilton Rowing Club was accepted. On the field, The Hamilton Tigers (5-1) would qualify for the post-season by taking the IRFU by one game over the
Ottawa Rough Riders (4-2). Meanwhile, Parkdale (3-1) would qualify for the post-season by winning the ORFU playoff game with the Toronto RAA (2-2) 8-5. In the CIRFU, the McGill Redmen (5-1) would qualify for the post-season, but would decline the invitation to the East Final, making Parkdale the default winner, and would then qualify to meet the Hamilton Tigers in the 5th Grey Cup Championship. The 5th Grey Cup was played on November 29, 1913, before 2,100 fans at A.A.A. Grounds at Hamilton. The Hamilton Tigers defeated the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club 44 to 2. The Hamilton Tigers won their first Grey Cup title in convincing fashion over the Parkdale Canoe Club. Ross Craig set a record that still stands, scoring three touchdowns in the game. Only Red Storey, Jackie Parker and Tommy Scott have duplicated the feat. The age and veteran savvy of the Tigers was no match for Parkdale's youth and inexperience. From the opening minutes of the game, when Hamilton marched across the Paddlers' goal line for a touchdown, until the final play, the Tigers were simply dominant. Parkdale did rise to the occasion in the third quarter, keeping the Tigers off the scoreboard. Three times when it was in the shadow of its own goal posts, Parkdale did not break, and Hamilton lost the ball three times on downs. Art Wilson, Norm Clark, Sam Manson and Harry Glassford scored the other touchdowns for the Tigers. Manson kicked four converts and rouges, and Billy Mallett added a single. Parkdale came close to scoring a touchdown when one of its players was tripped up by Sam Manson before crossing the Hamilton goal line. Manson saved the score but incurred a five-minute penalty. Hugh
Gall, a former star in Varsity's dynasty years, scored the only points of the game for Parkdale on rouges. Gall was hobbled by a hip injury and a crushed index finger, and he could not handle the ball or tackle as effectively. There was very little interest in the game as most people believed the Tigers would trounce Parkdale. Fewer than 3,000 fans were at the Hamilton Cricket Grounds to see their predictions turn into reality. The 44-2 score stands as the second-largest margin of victory in a Grey Cup game. It was the final time Parkdale advanced to the Grey Cup game.