Illawarra Steelers
Encyclopedia
The Illawarra
Steelers are an Australia
n rugby league football
club based in the city of Wollongong
, New South Wales
. The club competed in Australia
's top-level Rugby League competition from 1982, when they, along with the Canberra Raiders
, were admitted into the then New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership until 1998 when they formed a new joint venture team, the St. George Illawarra Dragons with the St. George Dragons
in 1999. Over those seventeen seasons the club received three wooden spoons, made the play-offs twice and had a total of three of its players (two New South Wales Blues
and one Queensland Maroon
) selected to don the green and gold for Australia.
The Steelers still field stand alone teams in junior grades. Their mascot was the popular Stanley, the Steel Avenger (commonly referred to as Stanley the Steeler).
made several attempts to enter the NSWRL
competition, the first major attempt was in the 1950s. The Illawarra Rugby League made a much more serious attempt for entry into the 1967 season but were blocked by the Country Rugby League
(CRL) who used their constitution to prevent Illawarra's plans of playing in the Sydney competition. This was a crucial moment in the emergence of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, as it was after Illawarra were blocked and the NSWRL wanted a second new club to enter with Penrith
to avoid the need for a bye that "the shire's" submission was successful.
In this unsuccessful bid, Illawarra were to be backed by the then wealthy Illawarra Leagues Club in Church Street, Wollongong
. The club is the second oldest leagues club in the world. It was originally established to financially support top class rugby league and soccer in the region.
On 13 December 1980, the NSWRL voted almost unanimously for Illawarra to enter in the 1982 season. Only three dissenting votes were counted, which were the three CRL representatives present. Illawarra's organiser Bob Millward told those at the meeting that rugby league in the region depended on this bid getting the go ahead. Interest in the region had turned away from local football to the Sydney competition. The Illawarra Mercury
daily newspaper was increasing its coverage of the Sydney premiership and Illawarra's inclusion was viewed as the best way of reviving the local league.
, and first coach Allan Fitzgibbon
. Unfortunately, the recession hit hard and the leagues club money dried up and the Steelers were a new club in desperate financial trouble. In 1984, BHP Steel
saved the club, signing on as the major sponsor. BHP stayed with the Steelers until they left the NRL at the end of the 1998 season.
Their first 8 seasons produced 3 wooden spoons
, but things started to improve for the club. In the 1989 Panasonic Cup the club reached the final which was played against the Brisbane Broncos
at Parramatta Stadium
. The Broncos raced to a 16-0 lead and it seemed the Steelers much more fancied opponents would run away with the game. But Illawarra inspired by eventual man-of-the-match Andy Gregory
hit back. Young Illawarra juniors such as Brett Rodwell
and Rod Wishart
made their mark in this game, players that would form the foundation of the club's improved performances in the early 1990s. Illawarra lost the match 22-20, however Brisbane scored a try off what appeared to be forward pass. The large Illawarra contingent at Parramatta Stadium booed the Broncos after their win, with Brisbane captain "King" Wally Lewis
gaining their ire by gesturing back. Illawarra's performance inspired Australian folk singer John Williamson
to write a song about the match.
A new coach by the name of Graham Murray
turned Illawarra into an almost unbeatable force at the Wollongong Showground in 1991, losing only to the Penrith Panthers who went on to win the premiership. A big win against Brisbane and a crushing 44-4 win over Canterbury-Bankstown were signs of things to come. A crucial refereeing decision by Bill Harrigan
towards the end of the season in a game at Penrith Stadium put an end to their finals aspirations. Harrigan, much to his credit, apologised in the media after the game. Thus Illawarra missed out on a place in the finals by just two points, despite having a season points differential second only to eventual premiers, Penrith.
The Steelers had sweet revenge in the 1992 pre-season Toohey's Challenge, defeating Brisbane 4-2 in a tryless final at Dubbo. This sparked their successful 1992 Winfield Cup
campaign, going to within one game from the Grand Final. Illawarra's first semi final was against future merger partner St George, beating "big-brother" 18-16. Next a loss to the Broncos 22-12 and their last chance against St George, losing 4-0. However, Illawarra were denied tries on several controversial occasions leaving the Steelers with a bitter end to their successful season.
1993 and '94 were disappointing in contrast to '92, but the club still managed to finish just outside the top 5 each year.
Super League
hit in 1995 and the Steelers were in for a rough ride. The good work in becoming a credible force in the competition went out the window and the sacking of Graham Murray was the only incident where anyone in the competition lost their job because of Super League. Murray was organising meetings between Illawarra players and Super League officials, as Super League had intentions of either getting the Steelers or possibly a new Illawarra club. Local club Wests Illawarra were reported in the Illawarra Mercury as being a potential Illawarra Super League club. Local league fans reacted angrily and nothing came of it. Illawarra and its supporters remained loyal to the ARL, though boardmember and then speaker of the house of representatives, Dr Stephen Martin, resigned from the club citing the need to join Super League for the club to survive. Martin would be proved right within less than three years.
In 1997
's stand-alone Australian Rugby League
competition, the Steelers finished sixth, again qualifying for the Finals series, only to bow out in the first week. 1998
saw the Steelers come agonisingly close to the finals, only missing out because of other results going against them. During season 1998, Illawarra approached St George and initiated joint venture talks. Western Suburbs (whom Illawarra were rumoured to be merging with in the 1980s) and Cronulla both expressed interest in talking with Illawarra but Steelers CEO Bob Millward claimed that the club's preferred partner was St George.
The Illawarra Steelers produced some brilliant playing talent, most notably International representatives Rod Wishart
and Paul McGregor. Former Steelers players Trent Barrett
, Shaun Timmins
and Craig Fitzgibbon
have gone on to represent their country since the Steelers' final stand-alone season in 1998.
for the 1999 NRL season to form the St George Illawarra Dragons
. The Illawarra and St George contingents are equal stakeholders in the new club, and as such half of the new team’s home games are played at the Steelers' former home ground, WIN Stadium
. The Illawarra Steelers have at times provided the bulk of St George Illawarra's squad, including internationals Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey, Jason Ryles
, Shaun Timmins
, Trent Barrett
, Brett Morris
, Josh Morris
and Ben Creagh
.
Some supporters, however, feel that the Illawarra is not appropriately acknowledged in St George Illawarra, as the logo and main jersey were taken directly from those of St George (albeit with the addition of "Illawarra" to the bottom of the emblem). More recently, however, St George Illawarra has taken steps to appropriately acknowledge both St George and Illawarra as equally as possible. One example of this is that, on 18 April 2004 against Penrith at WIN Stadium
, St George Illawarra introduced an alternate jersey which was predominantly red (with white stripes), this being recognisably similar to the former Steelers' jersey. This replaced the "blood and bandages" jersey of red-and-white horizontal stripes, which was also a former St George jersey.
While Illawarra is still represented in the NRL
and New South Wales Rugby League
by the St George Illawarra Dragons (in First Grade and Jersey Flegg Cup
competitions), the Illawarra Steelers still participate as a single entity in junior competitions, most notably S.G. Ball Cup
and Harold Matthews Cup
.
In early 2006, WIN Television
Network bought a 25% share in the St. George Illawarra club for $6.5 million (half of Illawarra's share), erasing most of the debt Illawarra had to St. George. This formalised the strong support the network has shown for the Steelers in years gone by and ensured that Wollongong will continue to host world class rugby league matches. WIN Corp can only sell their stake back to the Steelers, should they wish to withdraw their involvement, thus ensuring Illawarra are properly represented in the joint venture.
In 2008, Illawarra's debt to St George was paid off, with the 20% sale of the Steelers Club building to a Bermuda based company owned by Illawarra billionaire (and WIN Television boss) Bruce Gordon
.
Many of the current NRL
clubs are reverting to more simplistic jerseys, such as Illawarra's fellow 1982 entrants Canberra.
The colours scarlet and white were automatically chosen as they were long worn by Illawarra representative teams in several sports. Local miners uniforms in the early 20th century were scarlet and some associate this with the reason for it becoming the region's sporting colours. It is also the colour of the Illawarra Flame Tree
, another symbol of the region.
). The ground for many years was also named Steelers Stadium, which many still affectionately call the ground.
The highest crowd record for the Steelers in Wollongong was against St. George on 21 May 1993 at 17,527. The lowest crowd record was against Cronulla on 6 July 1985 at 3433.
(U-16s) and S. G. Ball Cup (U-18s).
Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
We mean it,
We're gonna make it happen right.
And when the whistle blows,
We're gonna get out there and fight.
It's our best game,
It's our own name,
It's our red crusade.
Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
We're gonna tackle,
We're gonna shake 'em to the ground.
Gonna keep on scoring tries,
Gonna keep on winning games.
We're out to play,
We're out to stay,
It's our red crusade.
Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
Of note, the Illawarra Steelers club members voted unanimously to allow the sale of 20% of the club premises to a company owned by Bermuda based Wollongong billionaire Bruce Gordon
. The sale fetched the club $2.6 million, allowing Illawarra to clear all debts to St George. Whilst the Steelers Club is improving its financial position, and now trading profitably, the club still finds itself struggling against the larger and more popular of other Leagues Clubs in Wollongong such as Collegians, The Builders Club, Wests Illawarra and Illawarra Leagues, and also Shellharbour Workers Club in Shellharbour.
Fullback
John Dorahy
(c)
Wing
Rod Wishart
Alan McIndoe
Centre
Paul McGregor
Shaun Timmins
Five-eighth
Trent Barrett
Half
John Simon
Lock
Ian Russell
Second Row
Neil Piccinelli
Bob Lindner
Front Row
Chris Walsh
(vc)
Craig Smith
Hooker
Dean Schifilliti
Reserves
Brad Mackay
Brett Rodwell
Wayne Springall
Michael Carberry
Coach
Graham Murray
:Category:Illawarra Steelers players
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
Steelers are an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rugby league football
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based in the city of Wollongong
Wollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The club competed in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's top-level Rugby League competition from 1982, when they, along with the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
, were admitted into the then New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership until 1998 when they formed a new joint venture team, the St. George Illawarra Dragons with the St. George Dragons
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
in 1999. Over those seventeen seasons the club received three wooden spoons, made the play-offs twice and had a total of three of its players (two New South Wales Blues
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and one Queensland Maroon
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
) selected to don the green and gold for Australia.
The Steelers still field stand alone teams in junior grades. Their mascot was the popular Stanley, the Steel Avenger (commonly referred to as Stanley the Steeler).
Formation
IllawarraIllawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
made several attempts to enter the NSWRL
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
competition, the first major attempt was in the 1950s. The Illawarra Rugby League made a much more serious attempt for entry into the 1967 season but were blocked by the Country Rugby League
New South Wales Country Rugby League
-2011 Tier 2 Championships:-History:Newcastle was the first city outside Sydney to start a league competition, being involved in the Sydney Premiership in 1908-09 and then starting their own competition in 1910....
(CRL) who used their constitution to prevent Illawarra's plans of playing in the Sydney competition. This was a crucial moment in the emergence of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, as it was after Illawarra were blocked and the NSWRL wanted a second new club to enter with Penrith
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
to avoid the need for a bye that "the shire's" submission was successful.
In this unsuccessful bid, Illawarra were to be backed by the then wealthy Illawarra Leagues Club in Church Street, Wollongong
Wollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
. The club is the second oldest leagues club in the world. It was originally established to financially support top class rugby league and soccer in the region.
On 13 December 1980, the NSWRL voted almost unanimously for Illawarra to enter in the 1982 season. Only three dissenting votes were counted, which were the three CRL representatives present. Illawarra's organiser Bob Millward told those at the meeting that rugby league in the region depended on this bid getting the go ahead. Interest in the region had turned away from local football to the Sydney competition. The Illawarra Mercury
Illawarra Mercury
The Illawarra Mercury is the only daily newspaper in Wollongong, the third largest city in the State of New South Wales, Australia. It has been published since 1855, making it one of Australia's oldest newspapers...
daily newspaper was increasing its coverage of the Sydney premiership and Illawarra's inclusion was viewed as the best way of reviving the local league.
1980s
Illawarra entered the competition in 1982, with financial backing from many of the local leagues clubs. Their first captain was star fullback John DorahyJohn Dorahy
John Dorahy is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in the Australian New South Wales Rugby League premiership and also represented for NSW Country, New South Wales Origin and Australia. Dorahy later played and coached in the English Rugby Football League...
, and first coach Allan Fitzgibbon
Allan Fitzgibbon
Allan Fitzgibbon is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers between 1968 and 1970, and appeared in the 1969 Grand Final where the Tigers won in an upset against the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
. Unfortunately, the recession hit hard and the leagues club money dried up and the Steelers were a new club in desperate financial trouble. In 1984, BHP Steel
BlueScope Steel
BlueScope Steel is a flat product steel producer with operations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Pacific and North America. It was spun off from BHP Billiton in 2002 as BHP Steel and renamed BlueScope Steel on 17 November 2003...
saved the club, signing on as the major sponsor. BHP stayed with the Steelers until they left the NRL at the end of the 1998 season.
Their first 8 seasons produced 3 wooden spoons
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
, but things started to improve for the club. In the 1989 Panasonic Cup the club reached the final which was played against the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
at Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
. The Broncos raced to a 16-0 lead and it seemed the Steelers much more fancied opponents would run away with the game. But Illawarra inspired by eventual man-of-the-match Andy Gregory
Andy Gregory
Andrew "Andy" Gregory is an English former rugby league footballer. A Great Britain international representative /, he is an inductee of the Wigan Hall of Fame...
hit back. Young Illawarra juniors such as Brett Rodwell
Brett Rodwell
Brett Rodwell is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the Australian National Rugby League competition for the Illawarra Steelers and South Sydney Rabbitohs...
and Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
made their mark in this game, players that would form the foundation of the club's improved performances in the early 1990s. Illawarra lost the match 22-20, however Brisbane scored a try off what appeared to be forward pass. The large Illawarra contingent at Parramatta Stadium booed the Broncos after their win, with Brisbane captain "King" Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
gaining their ire by gesturing back. Illawarra's performance inspired Australian folk singer John Williamson
John Williamson (singer)
John Robert Williamson AM is an Australian country music singer-songwriter. Williamson has released over thirty-two albums, ten videos, five DVDs, and two lyric books...
to write a song about the match.
1990s
1990 saw big improvements with the club finishing not too far away from the top 5. The Steelers licenced club opened its doors thanks to the efforts of the local community and businesses.A new coach by the name of Graham Murray
Graham Murray
Graham Murray is an Australian rugby league player and coach. Murray is currently the High Performance Unit Director of Coaching at the Newcastle Knights.-Playing career:...
turned Illawarra into an almost unbeatable force at the Wollongong Showground in 1991, losing only to the Penrith Panthers who went on to win the premiership. A big win against Brisbane and a crushing 44-4 win over Canterbury-Bankstown were signs of things to come. A crucial refereeing decision by Bill Harrigan
Bill Harrigan
-External links:**http://www.billharrigan.com.au/Referee-career-pg2853.html*http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/harrigan.html*http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/stories/s1766903.htm*http://www.claxtonspeakers.com.au/speakers_profile/134...
towards the end of the season in a game at Penrith Stadium put an end to their finals aspirations. Harrigan, much to his credit, apologised in the media after the game. Thus Illawarra missed out on a place in the finals by just two points, despite having a season points differential second only to eventual premiers, Penrith.
The Steelers had sweet revenge in the 1992 pre-season Toohey's Challenge, defeating Brisbane 4-2 in a tryless final at Dubbo. This sparked their successful 1992 Winfield Cup
Winfield Cup
The Winfield Cup was an Australian rugby league trophy awarded to the winner of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership's Grand Final from 1982 to 1994, and to the winner of the Australian Rugby League Grand Final in 1995...
campaign, going to within one game from the Grand Final. Illawarra's first semi final was against future merger partner St George, beating "big-brother" 18-16. Next a loss to the Broncos 22-12 and their last chance against St George, losing 4-0. However, Illawarra were denied tries on several controversial occasions leaving the Steelers with a bitter end to their successful season.
Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
hit in 1995 and the Steelers were in for a rough ride. The good work in becoming a credible force in the competition went out the window and the sacking of Graham Murray was the only incident where anyone in the competition lost their job because of Super League. Murray was organising meetings between Illawarra players and Super League officials, as Super League had intentions of either getting the Steelers or possibly a new Illawarra club. Local club Wests Illawarra were reported in the Illawarra Mercury as being a potential Illawarra Super League club. Local league fans reacted angrily and nothing came of it. Illawarra and its supporters remained loyal to the ARL, though boardmember and then speaker of the house of representatives, Dr Stephen Martin, resigned from the club citing the need to join Super League for the club to survive. Martin would be proved right within less than three years.
In 1997
Australian Rugby League season 1997
The 1997 Australian Rugby League season was the 90th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the third season run by the Australian Rugby League...
's stand-alone Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
competition, the Steelers finished sixth, again qualifying for the Finals series, only to bow out in the first week. 1998
National Rugby League season 1998
The 1998 NRL season was the 91st season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the inaugural season of the newly formed National Rugby League. After the Australian Rugby League and Super League organisations ran separate competitions parallel to each other in 1997, they joined to...
saw the Steelers come agonisingly close to the finals, only missing out because of other results going against them. During season 1998, Illawarra approached St George and initiated joint venture talks. Western Suburbs (whom Illawarra were rumoured to be merging with in the 1980s) and Cronulla both expressed interest in talking with Illawarra but Steelers CEO Bob Millward claimed that the club's preferred partner was St George.
The Illawarra Steelers produced some brilliant playing talent, most notably International representatives Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
and Paul McGregor. Former Steelers players Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
and Craig Fitzgibbon
Craig Fitzgibbon
Craig "Fitzy" Fitzgibbon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull in the European Super League and previously the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he is the son of former rugby league player and...
have gone on to represent their country since the Steelers' final stand-alone season in 1998.
Season summaries
| Competition | Games Played | Games Won | Games Drawn | Games Lost | Ladder Position | |R | |F | Allan Fitzgibbon Allan Fitzgibbon is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers between 1968 and 1970, and appeared in the 1969 Grand Final where the Tigers won in an upset against the South Sydney Rabbitohs... | John Dorahy John Dorahy is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in the Australian New South Wales Rugby League premiership and also represented for NSW Country, New South Wales Origin and Australia. Dorahy later played and coached in the English Rugby Football League... |
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26 | 8 | 0 | 18 | 12 / 14 | |
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24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 9 / 13 | Brian Smith (rugby league) Brian Smith is an Australian coach and former player of rugby league football. He is the current head coach at the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. Smith played for St. George and South Sydney Rabbitohs , appearing in a total of 31 first grade games... |
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24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 13 / 13 | |
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24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 13 / 13 | |
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24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 11 / 13 | |
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22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 13 / 16 | Terry Fearnley Terry Fearnley is an Australian former rugby league footballer and later coach. He was a long serving member of the NSWRFL's Eastern Suburbs team & , playing 144 matches for them at a bleak period in that club's existence. Injury kept him out of the 1960 grand final, one of the few successful... |
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22 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 16 / 16 | |
Ron Hilditch Ron Hilditch is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played club football for the Parramatta Eels with whom he won the 1981 NSWRFL Premiership.-Playing career:An Australian... |
Chris Walsh (rugby league) Chris Walsh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin forward, he played club football for the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:... |
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22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 9 / 16 | |
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22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 8 / 16 | Graham Murray Graham Murray is an Australian rugby league player and coach. Murray is currently the High Performance Unit Director of Coaching at the Newcastle Knights.-Playing career:... |
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22 (3) | 13 (1) | 1 (0) | 8 (2) | 3 / 16 | |
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22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 7 / 16 | |
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22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 6 / 16 | |
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22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 12 / 20 | Graham Murray Graham Murray is an Australian rugby league player and coach. Murray is currently the High Performance Unit Director of Coaching at the Newcastle Knights.-Playing career:... →Allan Fitzgibbon Allan Fitzgibbon Allan Fitzgibbon is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers between 1968 and 1970, and appeared in the 1969 Grand Final where the Tigers won in an upset against the South Sydney Rabbitohs... |
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22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 14 / 20 | Allan McMahon Allan McMahon was an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He was an Australian test player and a former coach of the Canberra Raiders, Newcastle Knights and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:... |
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1996 Illawarra Steelers season The 1996 Illawarra Steelers season was the fifteenth in the club's history. The Steelers finished in 14th place on the ladder, missing out on the finals for the fourth year in a row. The Reserve Grade and President's Cup teams both missed out on their respective Grand Final's by one game, whilst... |
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22 (1) | 10 (0) | 3 (0) | 9 (1) | 6 / 12 | |
Andrew Farrar Andrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988... |
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1997 Illawarra Steelers season The 1997 Illawarra Steelers season was the sixteenth in the club's history. The side made its second appearance in the play-offs, the first ending with the infamous 1992 semi-finals 4-0 loss to the St. George Dragons. Whilst making the finals, the season ultimately ended up as a disappointment,... |
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24 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 12 / 20 | 1998 Illawarra Steelers season The 1998 Illawarra Steelers season was the club's seventeenth and final season in its history, spanning across the three competitions of the NSWRL, ARL and NRL. A home loss by a field goal to the hands of the Craig Polla-Mounter and his Canterbury Bulldogs team, plus results going against them in... |
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Joint venture
The Illawarra Steelers decided to form a joint venture with the St. George DragonsSt. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
for the 1999 NRL season to form the St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
. The Illawarra and St George contingents are equal stakeholders in the new club, and as such half of the new team’s home games are played at the Steelers' former home ground, WIN Stadium
WIN Stadium
Wollongong Showground is a rectangular multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. From 1982 until 1998 it played host to every home match for the Illawarra Steelers NRL team...
. The Illawarra Steelers have at times provided the bulk of St George Illawarra's squad, including internationals Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey, Jason Ryles
Jason Ryles
Jason Ryles is an Australian rugby league player. He has played in the National Rugby League for the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons and in Europe's Super League for the Catalans Dragons. He is contracted to play for the Melbourne Storm from 2012...
, Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, Brett Morris
Brett Morris
Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St...
, Josh Morris
Josh Morris
Josh Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition. A New South Wales State of Origin representative backline player, Josh is the twin brother of Brett Morris who plays first grade for his previous club...
and Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League...
.
Some supporters, however, feel that the Illawarra is not appropriately acknowledged in St George Illawarra, as the logo and main jersey were taken directly from those of St George (albeit with the addition of "Illawarra" to the bottom of the emblem). More recently, however, St George Illawarra has taken steps to appropriately acknowledge both St George and Illawarra as equally as possible. One example of this is that, on 18 April 2004 against Penrith at WIN Stadium
WIN Stadium
Wollongong Showground is a rectangular multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. From 1982 until 1998 it played host to every home match for the Illawarra Steelers NRL team...
, St George Illawarra introduced an alternate jersey which was predominantly red (with white stripes), this being recognisably similar to the former Steelers' jersey. This replaced the "blood and bandages" jersey of red-and-white horizontal stripes, which was also a former St George jersey.
While Illawarra is still represented in the NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
and New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
by the St George Illawarra Dragons (in First Grade and Jersey Flegg Cup
Jersey Flegg Cup
The Jersey Flegg Cup was a junior rugby league competition played in New South Wales, contested among teams made up of players aged under 20. The competition was administered by the New South Wales Rugby League and run concurrently with the National Rugby League...
competitions), the Illawarra Steelers still participate as a single entity in junior competitions, most notably S.G. Ball Cup
S.G. Ball Cup
The S G Ball Cup is a junior rugby league football competition played in New South Wales, played between teams made up of players aged under 18. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League. The competition includes both junior representative teams of NRL and NSW Cup clubs...
and Harold Matthews Cup
Harold Matthews Cup
The NSWRL Harold Matthews Cup is a junior rugby league competition played in New South Wales between teams made up of players aged under 16. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League...
.
In early 2006, WIN Television
WIN Television
WIN Television is an Australian television network owned by the WIN Corporation that is based in Wollongong, New South Wales. WIN commenced transmissions on 18 March 1962 as a single Wollongong-only station, and has since expanded to 24 owned-and-operated stations with transmissions covering a...
Network bought a 25% share in the St. George Illawarra club for $6.5 million (half of Illawarra's share), erasing most of the debt Illawarra had to St. George. This formalised the strong support the network has shown for the Steelers in years gone by and ensured that Wollongong will continue to host world class rugby league matches. WIN Corp can only sell their stake back to the Steelers, should they wish to withdraw their involvement, thus ensuring Illawarra are properly represented in the joint venture.
In 2008, Illawarra's debt to St George was paid off, with the 20% sale of the Steelers Club building to a Bermuda based company owned by Illawarra billionaire (and WIN Television boss) Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon (businessman)
Bruce Gordon is the owner of the Australian television network, WIN Television.Gordon gained control of Television Wollongong Transmission Ltd in 1979 from Rupert Murdoch...
.
Jersey and colours
The original Steelers jersey was all scarlet with two white stripes on each sleeve. The alternate design was the same colours in reverse. The club kept this design until 1997, adding a third stripe on each sleeve and three hoops around the middle of the jersey. The Steelers simplistic design compared well with the many "space-aged" designs of several other clubs that came and went each season. In 2005, the Dragons wore an Illawarra heritage jersey, which was the same as the original Steelers jumper, on Steelers heritage day, proving popular amongst former Illawarra fans.Many of the current NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
clubs are reverting to more simplistic jerseys, such as Illawarra's fellow 1982 entrants Canberra.
The colours scarlet and white were automatically chosen as they were long worn by Illawarra representative teams in several sports. Local miners uniforms in the early 20th century were scarlet and some associate this with the reason for it becoming the region's sporting colours. It is also the colour of the Illawarra Flame Tree
Brachychiton acerifolius
Brachychiton acerifolius, commonly known as the Illawarra Flame Tree, is a large tree of the family Malvaceae native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless...
, another symbol of the region.
Club name
The name "Steelers" was chosen in reference to the local Port Kembla Steelworks, which was the Illawarra region's largest employer. (BHP, who owned the steelworks, eventually sponsored the team for most of their existence.) Other names considered were "Lions" and "Steelies".Home ground
The Illawarra Steelers played all of their home games at the Wollongong Showground (currently named WIN StadiumWIN Stadium
Wollongong Showground is a rectangular multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. From 1982 until 1998 it played host to every home match for the Illawarra Steelers NRL team...
). The ground for many years was also named Steelers Stadium, which many still affectionately call the ground.
The highest crowd record for the Steelers in Wollongong was against St. George on 21 May 1993 at 17,527. The lowest crowd record was against Cronulla on 6 July 1985 at 3433.
Junior Steelers
The Illawarra Steelers still field teams in the under-age NSWRL competitions of Harold Matthews CupHarold Matthews Cup
The NSWRL Harold Matthews Cup is a junior rugby league competition played in New South Wales between teams made up of players aged under 16. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League...
(U-16s) and S. G. Ball Cup (U-18s).
2010
2010
Team song
Taste of Steel (1984)Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
We mean it,
We're gonna make it happen right.
And when the whistle blows,
We're gonna get out there and fight.
It's our best game,
It's our own name,
It's our red crusade.
Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
We're gonna tackle,
We're gonna shake 'em to the ground.
Gonna keep on scoring tries,
Gonna keep on winning games.
We're out to play,
We're out to stay,
It's our red crusade.
Come on, mighty Wollongong,
We're the Illawarra Steelers.
You can't go wrong with the men so strong,
Gonna give 'em the taste of steel.
The future
Recent speculation suggests that the Steelers may rise again and stand alone in the NRL. Supporters of this theory claim that the club will dissolve the joint venture at the end of the current joint venture contract (2010) and build towards an eventual return, with the backing of a "white knight" or a major consortium. Others claim that this push may be a ploy to pressure St George into making further concessions to the Illawarra, as St. George can not afford to lose the flow of Illawarra juniors. However, some in the St. George side of the venture argue that they could stand alone in the NRL for the long term without drawing on the Illawarra juniors for players. Currently, both views would seem unlikely and the joint venture would appear safe for now.Of note, the Illawarra Steelers club members voted unanimously to allow the sale of 20% of the club premises to a company owned by Bermuda based Wollongong billionaire Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon (businessman)
Bruce Gordon is the owner of the Australian television network, WIN Television.Gordon gained control of Television Wollongong Transmission Ltd in 1979 from Rupert Murdoch...
. The sale fetched the club $2.6 million, allowing Illawarra to clear all debts to St George. Whilst the Steelers Club is improving its financial position, and now trading profitably, the club still finds itself struggling against the larger and more popular of other Leagues Clubs in Wollongong such as Collegians, The Builders Club, Wests Illawarra and Illawarra Leagues, and also Shellharbour Workers Club in Shellharbour.
Club
- Biggest win: 45 - 0 against Canberra RaidersCanberra RaidersThe Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
at Wollongong Showground on 25 April 1982 - Worst defeat: 0 - 51 against Newtown JetsNewtown JetsThe Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
at Henson Park on 2 May 1982 - Longest winning streak: 4 matches
- 4–25 July 1993
- 25 June - 17 July 1997
- Longest losing streak: 11 matches, 1988
- Largest home crowd: 17,527, against St George Dragons at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on 21 May 1993
Individual
- Most tries in a match: 5 by Alan McIndoeAlan McIndoeAlan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
against Gold Coast Seagulls at Steelers Stadium on 4 May 1991 - Most goals in a match: 10 by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
against Parramatta EelsParramatta EelsThe Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
at Steelers Stadium on 16 July 1995 - Most points in a match: 22 (1 try, 9 goals) by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
against Western Suburbs MagpiesWestern Suburbs MagpiesThe Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
at Steelers Stadium on 27 August 1995
- Most tries in a season: 19 by Alan McIndoeAlan McIndoeAlan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
in NSWRL season 1991 - Most goals in a season: 76 by John DorahyJohn DorahyJohn Dorahy is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in the Australian New South Wales Rugby League premiership and also represented for NSW Country, New South Wales Origin and Australia. Dorahy later played and coached in the English Rugby Football League...
in NSWRFL season 1983 - Most points in a season: 176 (11 tries, 66 goals) by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
in ARL season 1995
- Most tries in club history: 68 by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
, between 1989 and 1998 - Most goals in club history: 386 by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
, between 1989 and 1998 - Most points in club history: 1,044 (68 tries, 386 goals) by Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
between 1989 and 1998
- Most appearances: Michael BoltMichael BoltMichael Bolt is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the NSWRL Premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, also captaining the club....
167, Brett RodwellBrett RodwellBrett Rodwell is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the Australian National Rugby League competition for the Illawarra Steelers and South Sydney Rabbitohs...
156, Rod WishartRod WishartRod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
154, Neil PiccinelliNeil PiccinelliNeil Piccinelli is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s.He played with the Illawarra Steelers, Hunter Mariners and the Newcastle Knights....
145, Brian HetheringtonBrian HetheringtonBrian Hetherington is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played in the centres...
144, John Cross 137, Alan McIndoeAlan McIndoeAlan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
125, Paul McGregor 124, John SimonJohn Simon (rugby league)John "Jack" Simon is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His club career was spent with the Illawarra Steelers, Easts, Parramatta, Auckland and Wests Tigers. Simon also represented for Australia and for New South Wales in Origin...
120, David Walsh 114
Team of Steel
In 2006 the Illawarra Steelers celebrated their 25th anniversary and named a "Team of Steel", including the best players of the club's history.Fullback
John Dorahy
John Dorahy
John Dorahy is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in the Australian New South Wales Rugby League premiership and also represented for NSW Country, New South Wales Origin and Australia. Dorahy later played and coached in the English Rugby Football League...
(c)
Wing
Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
Centre
Paul McGregor
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
Five-eighth
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
Half
John Simon
John Simon (rugby league)
John "Jack" Simon is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His club career was spent with the Illawarra Steelers, Easts, Parramatta, Auckland and Wests Tigers. Simon also represented for Australia and for New South Wales in Origin...
Lock
Ian Russell
Second Row
Neil Piccinelli
Neil Piccinelli
Neil Piccinelli is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s.He played with the Illawarra Steelers, Hunter Mariners and the Newcastle Knights....
Bob Lindner
Bob Lindner
Bob Lindner is a former Australian representative rugby league player and coach. He represented his country in the sport and is one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once...
Front Row
Chris Walsh
Chris Walsh (rugby league)
Chris Walsh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin forward, he played club football for the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:...
(vc)
Craig Smith
Craig Smith (rugby league born 1971)
Craig Smith is a former professional rugby league footballer. He formerly played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Illawarra Steelers, St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights as well as representing New Zealand and Queensland...
Hooker
Dean Schifilliti
Dean Schifilliti
Dean Schifilliti is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s.- Illawarra Steelers :Originally from Queensland, Schifilitti joined Illawarra in 1989 and took over the captaincy at the end of 1991. He was the Illawarra Steelers' hooker and captain and came of age in the...
Reserves
Brad Mackay
Brad Mackay
Brad Mackay is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A versatile Lock Forward for the St George Dragons, Illawarra Steelers, Western Reds and the merged St...
Brett Rodwell
Brett Rodwell
Brett Rodwell is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the Australian National Rugby League competition for the Illawarra Steelers and South Sydney Rabbitohs...
Wayne Springall
Michael Carberry
Coach
Graham Murray
Graham Murray
Graham Murray is an Australian rugby league player and coach. Murray is currently the High Performance Unit Director of Coaching at the Newcastle Knights.-Playing career:...
Representative players
Coaches
- Allan FitzgibbonAllan FitzgibbonAllan Fitzgibbon is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Balmain Tigers between 1968 and 1970, and appeared in the 1969 Grand Final where the Tigers won in an upset against the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
1982-1983 and 1995 - Brian SmithBrian Smith (rugby league)Brian Smith is an Australian coach and former player of rugby league football. He is the current head coach at the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. Smith played for St. George and South Sydney Rabbitohs , appearing in a total of 31 first grade games...
1984-1987 - Terry FearnleyTerry FearnleyTerry Fearnley is an Australian former rugby league footballer and later coach. He was a long serving member of the NSWRFL's Eastern Suburbs team & , playing 144 matches for them at a bleak period in that club's existence. Injury kept him out of the 1960 grand final, one of the few successful...
1988 - Ron HilditchRon HilditchRon Hilditch is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative forward, he played club football for the Parramatta Eels with whom he won the 1981 NSWRFL Premiership.-Playing career:An Australian...
1989-1990 - Graham MurrayGraham MurrayGraham Murray is an Australian rugby league player and coach. Murray is currently the High Performance Unit Director of Coaching at the Newcastle Knights.-Playing career:...
1991-1995 - Allan McMahonAllan McMahonAllan McMahon was an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He was an Australian test player and a former coach of the Canberra Raiders, Newcastle Knights and Illawarra Steelers.-Playing career:...
1996 - Andrew FarrarAndrew FarrarAndrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988...
1997-1998
Average attendance
| Season | Average Attendance |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 9248 |
| 1997 | 8695 |
| 1996 | 7434 |
| 1995 | 9651 |
| 1994 | 11911 |
| 1993 | 12321 |
| 1992 | 13750 |
| 1991 | 12244 |
| 1990 | 9968 |
| 1989 | 7253 |
External links
- St George Illawarra DragonsSt George Illawarra DragonsThe St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
:Category:Illawarra Steelers players