Established in 1982, the Illawarra Steelers didn’t have much success nor win a premiership, however they did produce some fine players in their 17-year existence.
Now half of the joint venture St George Illawarra Dragons, this is the best team to solely represent the Steel City.
1. John Dorahy
Two caps Australia, three NSW
The club’s first captain, ‘Joe Cool’ was a local junior known for his calmness under pressure, kick chase and defence. He scored over 400 points in his first four years at the club.
2. Alan McIndoe
One cap for Australia, nine for Queensland
Was the Steelers’ first to represent Australia and was a prolific try-scorer who holds the club record for most tries in a season – 19 in 1991. Left on a sour note but thoroughly deserves a spot in this team.
3. Brett Rodwell
One cap for NSW
The hard-running centre used his upright stance to shrug off opposition players. His hat trick in the 1989 Panasonic semi-final helped Illawarra reach their first-ever major final.
4. Paul McGreggor
Two caps for Australia, 14 for NSW
A tall, powerfully built centre, ‘Mary’ could dominate his opponents and make long breaks with his strength. One of the best Illawarra ever produced, his failures as a coach shouldn’t take away from his playing career.
5. Rod Wishart
15 caps for Australia, 22 for NSW
The Steelers’ highest point-scorer and try-scorer, Wishart was like a forward in the way he carted up the ball. His accurate goal kicking and competitive nature make him the best player in club history.
6. Greg Mackey
Dubbed ‘Bluey’ for his Ginger hair, which made him a fan favourite, Mackey had the organisational skills and smarts to be solid contributor.
7. John Simon
One cap for Australia, four for NSW
A fast halfback with an accurate kicking game, Simon was a local junior who had suffered a cut in the shower, which made him miss many games in 1993.
8. Chris Walsh
One cap for NSW
Inspirational leader who was clubman of the year twice due. In ’87, he was told to retire after injuring two vertebrae but continued to play on for another five years.
9. Michael Bolt
Known as ‘Iron Man’ for playing 187 games straight, he was the Steelers’ player of the year from 1983-87. Incredible durability and consistency.
10. David Walsh
Walsh played in the first-ever game and was a solid all-rounder, even if he didn’t get many rave reviews.
11. Neil Piccinelli
Bone-jarring defence and the ability to offload made Piccinelli an x-factor in the ’92 campaign. His time running on the farm chasing chickens made him a great cover tackler.
12. Brad Mackay
12 caps for Australia, 17 for NSW
A great ball player and a runner, Mackay’s stint in Illawarra helped him find his best form, although he was overshadowed by Bradley Clyde.
13. Ian Russell
Great hands and toughness made him the best player at the club in the early ’90s. He also had a good kicking game for a lock and was one the better defenders in the league. Despite a bevy of injures, he still finished top ten in all-time games for the club.
Bench: Dale Fritz, Craig Smith, Brian Hetherington and Mark Broadhurst
Coach: Graham Murray
A really tough side, these forwards are great tacklers, while Simon can dictate play and control the game.
The two strike weapons out wide in McGregor and Wishart both need to be tackled by multiple defenders. Mackay and Cross add two great ball-players who can create points by themselves.
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
GC Giants
matth
Roar Guru
Very true, I was thinking more of his Sydney adventures, with Parra, Wests, Illawarra, not sure who else.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He went pretyy well for Souths and Wynummn
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The trip home from an SCG match of the round was a train ride on the Illawarra Line through St.George, Sutherland and Wollongong. St.George won the most club championships in those days of three grades, thanks to all the Illawarra players that lived at Frank Facer's place.
matth
Roar Guru
He was the Dane Gagai of the 1980’s. Was pretty quiet at club level then would explode for QLD.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Great team. I wouldn’t change a thing. Brad MacKay was a Dragon, a Western Red, a Steeler and a SGI Dragon. All must claim him because that’s as it should be. Bradley Clyde being crook gave MacKay a chance to prove himself in the Australian side and prove himself he did, scoring three tries. Brad or Brad? Both top shelf, but Clyde was in a league of his own. QLD grow them prodigiously (to my frustration). Rod Wishart was one of the best wingers in Australia in his time, and in any time really, playing for NSW and Australia and holding point scoring records for many years. I watched him play SOO in Sydney to my great joy. Paul MacGregor was a brilliant centre and captain, also capped many times for NSW and Australia. John Simons reminds me of Soward in many ways. He was awesome to watch and very strong going forward, also having a good defensive game. Neil Piccinelli was a force to be reckoned with and Rodwell had some mad skills. I watched all these men play in Wollongong and listened to Grandstand radio to hear my Steelers games called expertly, allowing me to ‘see’ the game as it happened, never missing a game while I was out in the middle of nowhere for many years. On coming back to civilisation I preferred listening to the Grandstand call while watching the game.My family thought me crazy. When out bush, it was very exciting to be able to actually watch my team play when ABC TV, via a massive dish, when they broadcast the Saturday afternoon games. I wish they still did. Loved the Steelers with a passion and love the Dragons in the same way. This is one merger that will stand the test of time. We are as one now and that is the way it will stay. I’ve fought for it with my pointer finger, on social media groups, whenever I felt the need. I rarely have to fight these days. There are still problems that need to be sorted but - LONG LIVE SAINT GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS! Dragons in the past, the present and Dragons in the future.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Morris brothers never played for Illawarra. Your timing is off by about a decade
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
JGK
Roar Guru
A surprisingly strong side actually although as a Dragons man, it doesn’t seem right to have Brad Mackay in a Steelers Best of team.
Zak
Roar Rookie
I think Timmons was as well as Ryan Girdler and Craig Fitzgibbon???
Paul
Roar Guru
I felt sorry for Brad MacKay. A great player who was challenged for a rep spot by an even better player, Brad Clyde. I realise he played a fair few games for the Steelers, but for mine, MacKay's a Dragon.
Rick Supple
Guest
What about the Morris brothers ,Timmins and Craig Fitzgibbon,they were superstars,I think they deserved a spot.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Was thinking Bob Lindner, then I noticed he only played one season for them! That bloke was a prototype for the modern league career, changing clubs every couple of years!
Steven Harris
Loved watching Ian Russell play absolute wizard.
Tony
Roar Guru
I charge by the hour
Tony
Roar Guru
Picked in the S George Illawarra team
Nat
Roar Rookie
A very solid backline. Falls away a bit in the forwards. Wasn't Timmins from the Illawarra?
Rellum
Roar Guru
McIndoe, greatest winger ever!!!!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Without research, l think the Wollongong region has produced more Test players than the Newcastle (Hunter) area. Could somebody with time on their hands (wearing a watch) kindly come up with the exact stats by no later than 2pm. NSW time today. No prize will be awarded just the satisfaction of achievement.
Kurt Rudder
Roar Rookie
Great team….would have liked to find a spot for the versatile Dean Schifilliti……get the spaghetti twins back together