A recent article by Roy Masters in the Sydney Morning Herald lamented on the one-sided nature of the Wests Tigers organisation, towards the Balmain half.
He mentions the Tigers name, the predominately gold jerseys and the Magpie logo being often obstructed by the players tape on the sleeve.
While I empathise with the Western Suburbs’ identity struggle, at least you have a Magpie on your jersey. Try being an old Illawarra Steelers fan.
Upon hearing that I came from the Illawarra side of St George Illawarra, my high school history teacher sheepishly remarked, “oh the socks team?” Nowadays we don’t even have that anymore.
This year the socks have reverted back to the St George hoops of old.
Now I know the same detractors will roll their eyes and mumble the same lines about how I am just another disgruntled Steelers fan.
I will hear how Illawarra was broke and St George saved us and thus should be grateful to have the NRL games in Wollongong. I will hear how we agreed to the terms of the joint venture, how we are still a nursery of talent and a training base and that this whole discussion is dated and irrelevant.
Let me just be clear that while I would love to see a standalone Illawarra club in the NRL, I am not naive enough to think that St George Illawarra will dissolve and Illawarra will have a team in the NRL anytime soon nor am I advocating such a proposition.
I understand that the logo and the Red V are non-negotiable under the terms of the joint venture contract and I wholeheartedly respect the history and tradition that are attached to those famous symbols.
It is not needed to list all the unequal elements that favour St George in this union of two rugby league clubs. You’ve heard it all before.
What I do want to point out however, is why it continues to be a matter of relevance 16 years after the partnership began. It is important because Illawarra is on the precipice of losing its rugby league identity.
The continual reluctance and/or laziness on the part of the media and NRL marketing team to simply acknowledge the Illawarra half of the club, beyond being a talent pool, is not only neglecting and belittling the Illawarra’s contribution, but is akin to historical rugby league genocide.
When you take away the history and identity of the Illawarra Steelers, it’s as if they never existed. Despite the likely innocent intentions of the perpetrators, each time a commentator or journalist says or writes “St George” without the “Illawarra”, it encourages and gives fans the authority to follow suit.
As a result, people are already starting to forget what the Illawarra on the emblem means. Kids in the Illawarra are growing up knowing the Dragons represent their hometown but not fully understanding why.
It is made all the more confusing when they hear Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns continually call their team “St George” on TV.
Anyone outside the Illawarra or those who grew up in the post-joint venture era will not understand the significance of a red alternate; all they see is a red St George jersey.
In the minds of most league fans, particularly those who are too young to remember the Steelers, Illawarra has effectively been relegated to the same status as “Sutherland”, “Warringah” or “Bankstown” – a mere etching on the bottom of the St George crest.
At best, Illawarra rugby league is on par with Newtown or North Sydney, a once first grade club languishing in reserve grade, albeit under a different moniker.
The Illawarra Steelers embodied the working class identity of our region, its rich rugby league heritage and underdog status to the boys up the F6.
While our history was short and relatively unsuccessful on the field, it was nonetheless proud and does not warrant to be systematically forgotten.
It is sad to think that in a generation’s time, the Illawarra Steelers will be forgotten to all but the few scarlet hearts who can only reminisce of a time when Illawarra had its own rugby league team running around in the premier competition.
All Illawarra fans are really asking for is fairer recognition and greater acknowledgement of our existence from the club, the NRL and the media so as to keep alive the history and identity of the forgotten half of the team in red and white.
Nik
Guest
I live in Wollongong i follow Manly as far i can remember. I had a 2nd team that was illawarra steelers and thats why i will never and will follow the take over team at george illawarra dragons. .well for wests and balmain started in 1908 foundation clubs they give each other fairness but st george pig headers thats why
D. Wilson
Guest
This one almost brought a tear to my reading this. I was a diehard fan until 1yr after moving into Knights territory when I was 10, at which I then had 2 home teams (I still have my team's signed jerseys). The best part of moving was playing league for my new school team, who wore an identical uniform to the Steelers. Moving on...The "joining" was (at that time) the worst news I had ever heard and formed a hole in my heart, but I never forgot. Luckily, my kids know who my home team is! Thank-you for the post!
Stanley the Steel Avenger
Guest
Hi Guys, Great article and some really good discussion points. Just my 2 cents worth. I followed Illawarra from 1982 to 1998. When the JV took place in 99 I was suprised as I had heard rumours but thought that the Steelers would have one more year at least. And we all know a lot can happen in a year. I couldn't support the merged team and basically sat out league until Souths came back into the comp in 2002 and Ive been following them ever since. I like the Cutter in the NSW cup and get to games whenever I can. It would be nice to have the Steelers back but I don't think it will happen.
Raf
Roar Rookie
All that quote proves is that the NRL itself just sees the club as a continuation of St George, which just proves my point.
Raf
Roar Rookie
Well unlike "St George", Dragons is the actual name of the team so personally I have no problem with it. Sure, some ex-Steelers fans may take exception to that as well, but that is the official name of the team in it's current form. To object would be to object to the name of the team, which I am not. I am objecting to the neglect of the other half of the team name, which bears more significance than what people realise. I never mentioned anything about going back to the plain white schoolgirl socks. Nonetheless the actual design of the socks is a minor issue. The point is that it used to be a joke that all Illawarra got from the joint venture was "the socks". The purpose of that example was only meant to be analogous to the loss of the Illawarra character in the club which is being overwritten by the St George identity. Now we don't have the socks, what part of the club's image represents Illawarra? The same goes for the team song, another minor issue as team songs in the NRL aren't as prominent as they are in the AFL, but if the club were to show that this was in fact a new team inclusive of the Illawarra Steelers and not just St George playing a few games down south, then they would have a new song. Wests Tigers don't sing the old Balmain song. It is just another example of a continuation of the St George image at the expense of the Illawarra. Maybe commentators should think about it, after all that's what they are paid for. Let's just call them "team" because that's easier to say. The laziness is just an excuse to hide the real issue that commentators and the wider rugby league community see the team as a continuation of the St George club of old. This is evident in the fact that you called it an extension. Illawarra is not an "extension" of the St George brand, they are half of the team "St George Illawarra". That's what makes us different from the other aforementioned teams. If the status quo remains and we continue to excuse commentators because they can't be bothered to say a few extra syllables, then they won't change and in time the Illawarra half will truly be forgotten. You may think this is trivial, but what you say if the tables were turned and everyone called the team "Illawarra"? Would you accept it? Illawarra has lost it's whole identity, belittled to a mere nursery for the St George team. In effect the team is essentially St George pre-Steelers with a few games in Wollongong against interstate teams no one will travel to. What has St George lost in terms of identity?
James
Guest
Quote from David Gallop. The weight of expectation was finally lifted as the Dragons went on to clinch their 16th Premiership after waiting 31-long years. ANZ Stadium was the venue for the historic occasion, with a crowd of 82,334 witnessing St George Illawarra charge to a 32-8 victory over the Sydney Roosters. "They are pretty unique in terms of their history - 11 straight premierships, their present state - they hold all the silverware in the game at the moment and their future looks bright with new stadium improvements at Kogarah and Wollongong." David Gallop, NRL CEO Its 16, get over it.
James
Guest
Then it looks like you can enjoy the NSW cup, as its apparent the status quo is not good enough. I agree with you (believe it or not ), that finances may well be the death knell of many clubs, not just ours.
Storm Boy
Guest
What was that stuff on NRL.com last week about the Dragons having won 16 premierships? I thought it was 15 and the JV has 1 like WTs do? If the NRL mergers all the Sydney clubs into just 1 team how many premierships will it already have won?
Jeremiah
Guest
I mentioned nothing of the socks. I couldn't care less if they brought them back or not (they've already been gone since 2005, FYI), it wouldn't be enough for me to back the team nor many others who are of similar opinion as myself. I never said STGI won't "survive" any longer, however their financial woes, evident through an inability to meet rental payments at WJO should be something of concern to fans. It seems that the joint venture is here to stay for the time being, unless a strong external financial source would be willing to disband it and re-instate St George and Illawarra as two separate teams. I'd rather follow a stand alone NSW Cup side than a soulless unequal joint venture, an idea that was initially proposed by Rupert Murdoch when he destroyed our game in the late 1990's.
James
Guest
Thats great.. boycott. To who's detriment ? This is what's wrong with the JV. Are you serious? Lets abandon the team, so we can get our socks back. That's all you ever had mate. Saints will survive, either as the current JV, or as it has since 1921 on its won. True Illawarra supporters get this. You don't. Sink or swim... its up to you, but if you think for one moment that Saints wont survive, then enjoy your lower grades as we rake in another premiership. J
Jeremiah
Guest
I couldn't agree more! The mighty South coast and the Steelers deserve so much better, considering the amount of work they put into the joint venture and into the lower grades. St George Illawarra are NOT St George. After fifteen years these morons still have trouble getting it through their heads. I can't stand STGI anymore and only follow Illawarra in the lower grades, mainly NSW Cup. I encourage all Illawarra people to do the same and boycott SGI until more respect and recognition is shown.
James
Guest
The moment the name was registered as St George Illawarra Dragons, it was the beginning of the problems you are facing. Geography aside, I was talking about the spoken tongue when it comes to dropping an extension. Right or wrong, commentators dont sit and think " well hang on, Sutherland is located bla bla bla, whereas Illawarra is ..." They just dont. Im fine calling them Dragons, are the Illawarra faithful? How do you feel when they sing the team song? Oh when the Saints go marching in " ? Is Saints also now to be banned from our vocabulary, as it certainly has no connection to the Steelers. Blocker Roach and Bobby Fulton refer to them as Saints 90 of the time. The moment you bring down an argument to the issue of socks, you know you are clutching at straws. Visit the internet, speak to fans, they will overwhelmingly tell you the socks simply look better, than the bland white. If that's an issue for you, then good luck.
Raf
Roar Rookie
Rod Wishart is sad that he will be discarded too http://www.nrl.com/where-are-they-now-rod-wishart/tabid/10874/newsid/62601/default.aspx
Raf
Roar Rookie
When was the last time Cronulla won a premiership? Norths hadn't won since the 20s, Wests since the 50s. Success isn't what drives the passion of the fans of these clubs. The good people of this region loved the Steelers, not because they were successful, but because they represented us; they were ours. Our underdog status was part of our identity. What is the point of a winning team if said team acts as if the region doesn't exist?
Raf
Roar Rookie
Exactly. As an Illawarra fan, I don't want my former team to be remembered in the same vein as Glebe. Unlike the Adelaide Rams or the South Queensland Crushers, people on the South Coast genuinely loved their team, not because they were successful but because they were ours. We want to feel that for the Dragons, we want to feel like they are our team but you can understand how hard that is when people continue to ignore us. Are Illawarra fans supposed to just accept a takeover situation? Times do change, but who is to say we can't influence how it is changed?
Raf
Roar Rookie
As I have already explained, Illawarra fans are not after a name change or removal of the Red V. We know that is non-negotiable. Would it be too hard to add a couple of stripes on the sleeves, keep the old Steelers jersey as the alternate, or not have red and white hooped socks? There is nothing in the joint venture terms about that and those changes will not compromise the Red V brand or the history it represents, but at least it would acknowledge that it is in fact a joint venture, which is by definition an entity owned by two separate existing organisations, the St George Dragons and the Illawarra Steelers. Thus, the Illawarra Steelers technically do still exist, which is why the Cutters can't use the Steelers name. Furthermore, since the Illawarra Steelers still exist as aforementioned and own half of the St George Illawarra Dragons, it is utterly insulting to compare Illawarra to Bankstown, Warringah and Sutherland. Bankstown and Warringah, neighbouring suburbs to Canterbury and Manly respectively, are part of the same rugby league district and has been part of their name from the very beginning of their club's existence. Sutherland is just the name of the shire Cronulla is in, therefore they are more or less one and the same. It's like calling a team "Wollongong-Illawarra" or "Kogarah-St George". St George Illawarra however is completely different due to its joint venture status. By dropping off Illawarra, you aren't just ignoring a part of your rugby league district or the name of your region, but you're ignoring half of your team. Considering the size of the Illawarra in comparison to the St George district, both in terms of population and geography, that is a huge part of your own team you are alienating. Assuming it is just "human nature" to ignore the Illawarra, then why not just call them Dragons? It has the same syllables as"St George" and is actually the team's name. Commentators rarely say "Wests", which is actually shorter and easier to say than "Tigers", yet they still usually say "Tigers". Why don't they do the same for the Dragons? They don't usually call them Dragons because they just see the current team as an extension of the St George Dragons of old like many rugby league fans; an incorrect perception that I, as an Illawarra-based fan, am merely trying to rectify. It is comments like this that continue to turn off Illawarra-based fans. Do you really think Illawarra-based fans are meant to fully embrace a team as their own when the media can't be bothered to mention the team's actual name because of "human nature", a euphemism for laziness, or when people who supposedly support the same team chant "St George", the name of a team whose status in the NRL is no more than that of the Illawarra Steelers? I'm sorry, but I don't and never have supported "St George". I support "St George Illawarra". And I'm the divisive one?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
What about Glebe? After all these years, they are still in the top five of winning percentages. Times change. That's life.
fishes
Guest
Like this has anything to do with the Sharks
James
Guest
This articles is floored in so many ways. Firstly, the JV / merger, set certain non-negotiable terms for a reason, not just out of some lottery box. Saints have a history, that is a tangible asset. Its real, its rich and it is attractive. To diminish that would be at the detriment of both sides, as we would have , lets say, the St George Steelers. Great way to ruin a name synonymous with our code. You travel anywhere in the RL world, people "get" the Red V. It rings out to them. Sorry who gets the Steelers logo? As to commentators referring to the team as St George, what do expect them to do? You said yourself Bankstown has been dropped, as has Warringah and Sutherland. Its human nature to abbreviate when calling a game. Sure the Illawarra is a great breeding ground, but what good does that do the region is you have no footy team. They will head north anyway, as they have done for decades. Articles like this, divide people for no reason. It is now an entity in its own right. It already has developed over time, and will prosper.
Terry Kidd
Guest
I've got to admit that I didn't understand why the Cutters were not named the Steelers for the NSW Cup ..... there is already a Cutters in the Qld Cup ..... Illawarra Cutters should be renamed the Steelers