1997 Illawarra Steelers season
Encyclopedia
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, losing in the first week to the Gold Coast Chargers
. Many expected them to win this match easily as they had beaten their opponents comfortably 28-6 the week before.
, David Riolo
, Brendan O'Meara and Darren Fritz
, leaving a massive hole to fill by many inexperienced juniors. They gained only halfback/hooker Will Robinson
from Souths
. The beginning of the season looked promising for the Steelers with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from the first six games, sitting third on the ladder. They failed to win any of their next seven games, which included 2 draws. The middle of season didn't suggest a good outcome for the end of the season. To their credit however, they won the next four out of five games and the final two games of the season when they knew a finals berth was on the line. A 25-14 loss at Parramatta Stadium
to the hands of the Gold Coast Chargers
in the first week of the finals spelt disaster on a season which could have produced so much more during this year without some formidable sides who were competing in the rival Telstra Super League tournament.
Losses
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Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross.
----
It was a day of draws for the Steelers and the Bears. All three grades were drawn (U-20s: 12-all, Reserves: 18-all, Firsts: 18-all). After capitulating in the second half, the Steelers saw themselves down 18-14, losing their 14-4 lead at half-time. Brendon Hauville scored in the final minutes, in what seemed to be a get-out-jail move by the substitute, who had come on for winger and regular goal-kicker Rod Wishart
. What should have been a last-minute victory for the Steelers instead became a fruitless event when Shaun Timmins
missed the conversion from in front of the uprights. It was just not their day for defeating the Bears.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Cram, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, J.Cross, Bristow, Hauville.
----
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, Tunbridge, David, Hart.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, David, Tunbridge, Seru.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Cram, Robinson, Smith, Bradstreet, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, David, Rodwell, Tunbridge.
----
was sent off in the 66th minute for a high tackle on Steve Menzies and David Cox was sin binned in the 69th minute. Manly stayed at the top of the table with 15 points and the Steelers were sitting fifth with ten by the end of the round. Barrett received a two-match ban for the tackle.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Air; Smith, Robinson, Bradstreet, Bristow, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cram, David, Cox, Purcell.
----
The supporters stayed away from Saturday night's wind and rain. Everything about the night was miserable for the five-thousand Steelers fans that bothered to show up. Only one try was scored in stark contrast to the entertaining twelve-try feast of the previous week against the Manly Sea Eagles at the same venue. Both fullbacks, Brendon Reeves (Illawarra) and Andrew Leeds
(Wests), were sin binned during the game.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Timmins, Rodwell, Clifford; Purcell, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, David, Bristow, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cram, Cox, Hart, Hooper.
----
Another sloppy night of rugby league for the second week in a row from the Steelers. Brendan Hurst's late field goal leaves Illawarra's chances in the competition diminishing, dropping to seventh on ten points with Wests and St. George waiting eagerly below them, also with ten points. Forwards Maea David and Craig Smith
both faced the judiciary, with Smith escaping suspension, but David coping a six-week ban for a careless high tackle. Barrett served out the final week of his two-week ban, with everyone's eyes keenly fixed on the round 12 clash with Souths.
Steelers Lineup: Seru; Wishart, Rodwell, McGregor (c), Clifford; Timmins, Robinson; Cram, J.Cross, Smith, Bristow, Bradstreet, Hart. Interchange: Reeves, Cox, David, M.Cross.
----
Illawarra's thrilling third draw of the campaign, and a high scoring one at that (28-all). Another ten-tries put on by the players, giving the crowd of less than five-thousand their money's worth. Steelers supports certainly couldn't help but feel if they had of gotten over the line in at least two of these three games their season might have shaped up differently. After this game, Illawarra was sitting in eighth place, outside of play-off's contention for the first time this season.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Cram, J.Cross (c), Bradstreet, Bristow, Hart, Mackay. Interchange: Cox, Tunbridge, Lamey, Leikvoll.
----
side seething from their second-round loss at Leichhardt
the first time these two teams met in the season. The Tigers held onto their 12-0 lead at the break. Barrett
got one back for the Steelers, taking them only six points behind, but an Adam Starr try held-off any attempted comeback. The result aided the Steelers slip down the ladder into tenth.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Cram, Callaway, Bradstreet, Hart, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cox, Bristow, Leikvoll, Air.
----
The third and final game of weekend due to the split round saw the Steelers side completely dominate the St. George
team, but they failed to convert their superiority into points. They eventually got themselves over the line with two minutes remaining through experienced centre Brett Rodwell
, winning 12-10. The win saw them leap-frog St. George and Balmain
back up into eighth position, one place away from finals footy.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Britten, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Air, Robinson; Cram, Callaway, Bradstreet, Hart, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Leikvoll, Lamey, Cox.
----
Illawarra Steelers
The Illawarra Steelers are an Australian 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...
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
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,...
. Whilst making the finals, the season ultimately ended up as a disappointment, losing in the first week to the Gold Coast Chargers
Gold Coast Chargers
Gold Coast were a professional Rugby league football club which played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership from 1988 to 1994, the Australian Rugby League premiership from 1995 to 1997, and the National Rugby League premiership in 1998...
. Many expected them to win this match easily as they had beaten their opponents comfortably 28-6 the week before.
Season Summary
The Steelers lost many players before the start of this season, including veterans Neil PiccinelliNeil 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....
, David Riolo
David Riolo
David Riolo is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s. He played the majority of his career with the Illawarra Steelers before retiring with the Parramatta Eels in 1997....
, Brendan O'Meara and Darren Fritz
Darren Fritz
Darren Fritz is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, who at representative level played for Queensland, and at club level for Canberra Raiders, Wakefield Trinity, Illawarra Steelers, North Sydney Bears, North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies,...
, leaving a massive hole to fill by many inexperienced juniors. They gained only halfback/hooker Will Robinson
Will Robinson (rugby league)
Will Robinson is a Australian rugby league player who played professionally in England and Australia.-Playing career:Robinson started his career with the Balmain Tigers in 1990, debuting against Newcastle. In 1992 Robinson played for the Australian Aboriginies in the 1992 Pacific Cup. He was named...
from Souths
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
. The beginning of the season looked promising for the Steelers with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from the first six games, sitting third on the ladder. They failed to win any of their next seven games, which included 2 draws. The middle of season didn't suggest a good outcome for the end of the season. To their credit however, they won the next four out of five games and the final two games of the season when they knew a finals berth was on the line. A 25-14 loss 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...
to the hands of the Gold Coast Chargers
Gold Coast Chargers
Gold Coast were a professional Rugby league football club which played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership from 1988 to 1994, the Australian Rugby League premiership from 1995 to 1997, and the National Rugby League premiership in 1998...
in the first week of the finals spelt disaster on a season which could have produced so much more during this year without some formidable sides who were competing in the rival Telstra Super League tournament.
Player Movements
Gains| Player | Previous Club |
|---|---|
| Will Robinson Will Robinson (rugby league) Will Robinson is a Australian rugby league player who played professionally in England and Australia.-Playing career:Robinson started his career with the Balmain Tigers in 1990, debuting against Newcastle. In 1992 Robinson played for the Australian Aboriginies in the 1992 Pacific Cup. He was named... |
South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
Losses
| Player | Joined Club |
|---|---|
| Paul Carige | Parramatta Eels Parramatta Eels The 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... |
| Darrien Doherty Darrien Doherty Darrien Doherty is a former Australian rugby league player.He began his playing career at the age of 19 with his one and only first grade game with the Penrith Panthers on 26 August 1990, coming off the bench and playing the second-row in their round 22 clash against the Western Suburbs Magpies at... |
Hunter Mariners Hunter Mariners The Hunter Mariners were an Australian rugby league club based in the Hunter Valley region's largest city, Newcastle. Hunter was formed in mid 1995 and was later disbanded at the end of 1997. The club was formed because of the Super League war, which was the rivalry between the traditional... |
| Darren Fritz Darren Fritz Darren Fritz is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, who at representative level played for Queensland, and at club level for Canberra Raiders, Wakefield Trinity, Illawarra Steelers, North Sydney Bears, North Sydney Bears and Western Suburbs Magpies,... |
North Sydney Bears North Sydney Bears The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... |
| Brendan O'Meara | South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
| 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.... |
Hunter Mariners |
| Wayne Richards Wayne Richards Wayne Richards is a retired Australian rugby league player. He won the 1997 ARL premiership with the Newcastle Knights.- 1991-1996 :Richards made his first grade debut as a replacement player for the Newcastle Knights in 1991. He remained with the Knights until the end of the 1994 season when he... |
Newcastle Knights Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
| David Riolo David Riolo David Riolo is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s. He played the majority of his career with the Illawarra Steelers before retiring with the Parramatta Eels in 1997.... |
Parramatta Eels |
| Craig Simon | South Sydney |
| Josh White Josh White Joshua Daniel White , better known as Josh White, was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and civil rights activist. He also recorded under the names "Pinewood Tom" and "Tippy Barton" in the 1930s.... |
London Broncos |
Squad
(captain)Quick Summary
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March (2-1-1)
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Cram, Tunbridge, David, Hart.----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross.
----
It was a day of draws for the Steelers and the Bears. All three grades were drawn (U-20s: 12-all, Reserves: 18-all, Firsts: 18-all). After capitulating in the second half, the Steelers saw themselves down 18-14, losing their 14-4 lead at half-time. Brendon Hauville scored in the final minutes, in what seemed to be a get-out-jail move by the substitute, who had come on for winger and regular goal-kicker 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...
. What should have been a last-minute victory for the Steelers instead became a fruitless event when Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
missed the conversion from in front of the uprights. It was just not their day for defeating the Bears.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Cram, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, J.Cross, Bristow, Hauville.
----
April (2-0-2)
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, Tunbridge, David, Hart.----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, Tunbridge, David, Hart.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, David, Tunbridge, Seru.
----
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Cram, Robinson, Smith, Bradstreet, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, David, Rodwell, Tunbridge.
----
May (0-2-2)
A gripping twelve try game. By the end of the match these two clubs equalled the premiership record for the highest score for a drawn game at 34-all. Manly started great and finished strong. The Steelers were up 34-22 with six minutes remaining. However, they only had eleven men on the field and the Sea Eagles ran them home. Five-Eighth Trent BarrettTrent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
was sent off in the 66th minute for a high tackle on Steve Menzies and David Cox was sin binned in the 69th minute. Manly stayed at the top of the table with 15 points and the Steelers were sitting fifth with ten by the end of the round. Barrett received a two-match ban for the tackle.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Air; Smith, Robinson, Bradstreet, Bristow, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cram, David, Cox, Purcell.
----
The supporters stayed away from Saturday night's wind and rain. Everything about the night was miserable for the five-thousand Steelers fans that bothered to show up. Only one try was scored in stark contrast to the entertaining twelve-try feast of the previous week against the Manly Sea Eagles at the same venue. Both fullbacks, Brendon Reeves (Illawarra) and Andrew Leeds
Andrew Leeds
Andrew Leeds is a former Australian rugby union and professional rugby league player. He has played for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers, primarily as a goal-kicking fullback, and has represented at national level for the Wallabies.-Playing career:Leeds played...
(Wests), were sin binned during the game.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Timmins, Rodwell, Clifford; Purcell, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, David, Bristow, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cram, Cox, Hart, Hooper.
----
Another sloppy night of rugby league for the second week in a row from the Steelers. Brendan Hurst's late field goal leaves Illawarra's chances in the competition diminishing, dropping to seventh on ten points with Wests and St. George waiting eagerly below them, also with ten points. Forwards Maea David and 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...
both faced the judiciary, with Smith escaping suspension, but David coping a six-week ban for a careless high tackle. Barrett served out the final week of his two-week ban, with everyone's eyes keenly fixed on the round 12 clash with Souths.
Steelers Lineup: Seru; Wishart, Rodwell, McGregor (c), Clifford; Timmins, Robinson; Cram, J.Cross, Smith, Bristow, Bradstreet, Hart. Interchange: Reeves, Cox, David, M.Cross.
----
Illawarra's thrilling third draw of the campaign, and a high scoring one at that (28-all). Another ten-tries put on by the players, giving the crowd of less than five-thousand their money's worth. Steelers supports certainly couldn't help but feel if they had of gotten over the line in at least two of these three games their season might have shaped up differently. After this game, Illawarra was sitting in eighth place, outside of play-off's contention for the first time this season.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Cram, J.Cross (c), Bradstreet, Bristow, Hart, Mackay. Interchange: Cox, Tunbridge, Lamey, Leikvoll.
----
June (1-0-1)
It was a disappointing first Friday Night Football of the season for the Illawarra side at home, losing 18-6 to a Balmain TigersBalmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
side seething from their second-round loss at Leichhardt
Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval is a football stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. It is a home ground for the Wests Tigers rugby league team. The stadium has a nominal capacity of 20,000, with recorded highest crowd figures of 23,000 in the 1981 KB Tooth final South Sydney Rabbitohs versus...
the first time these two teams met in the season. The Tigers held onto their 12-0 lead at the break. Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
got one back for the Steelers, taking them only six points behind, but an Adam Starr try held-off any attempted comeback. The result aided the Steelers slip down the ladder into tenth.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Seru, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Barrett, Robinson; Cram, Callaway, Bradstreet, Hart, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Cox, Bristow, Leikvoll, Air.
----
The third and final game of weekend due to the split round saw the Steelers side completely dominate the St. George
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,...
team, but they failed to convert their superiority into points. They eventually got themselves over the line with two minutes remaining through experienced centre 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...
, winning 12-10. The win saw them leap-frog St. George and Balmain
Balmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
back up into eighth position, one place away from finals footy.
Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Britten, Rodwell, Timmins, Clifford; Air, Robinson; Cram, Callaway, Bradstreet, Hart, Mackay, J.Cross (c). Interchange: Leikvoll, Lamey, Cox.
----
Ladder
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia... |
22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 521 | 366 | 32 | |
| 2 |  NewcastleNewcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 512 | 320 | 29 | |
| 3 |  ParramattaParramatta Eels The 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... |
22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 431 | 359 | 29 | |
| 4 |  North SydneyNorth Sydney Bears The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... |
22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 529 | 341 | 27 | |
| 5 |  Sydney CitySydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... |
22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 487 | 366 | 27 | |
| 6 |  IllawarraIllawarra Steelers The Illawarra Steelers are an Australian 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... |
22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 423 | 376 | 23 | |
| 7 | Gold Coast Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast were a professional Rugby league football club which played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership from 1988 to 1994, the Australian Rugby League premiership from 1995 to 1997, and the National Rugby League premiership in 1998... |
22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 438 | 466 | ||
| 21 | |||||||||
| 8 |  BalmainBalmain Tigers The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles... |
22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 339 | 340 | ||
| 20 | |||||||||
| 9 |  Western SuburbsWestern Suburbs Magpies The 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... |
22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 355 | 424 | ||
| 20 | |||||||||
| 10 |  St. GeorgeSt. 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,... |
22 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 331 | 392 | ||
| 19 | |||||||||
| 11 |  South SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
22 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 323 | 630 | ||
| 9 | |||||||||
| 12 |  South QueenslandSouth Queensland Crushers The South Queensland Crushers were an Australian rugby league football club based in Brisbane, Queensland. In 1992 it was decided that the team would be admitted into the New South Wales Rugby League competition, along with three other teams, as part of the League's expansion plans for professional... |
22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 321 | 630 | ||
| 8 |
Home Crowd Averages
| Round | Opposition | Venue | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 7,697 |
| Round 3 | 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,... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 8,661 |
| Round 5 | South Queensland Crushers South Queensland Crushers The South Queensland Crushers were an Australian rugby league football club based in Brisbane, Queensland. In 1992 it was decided that the team would be admitted into the New South Wales Rugby League competition, along with three other teams, as part of the League's expansion plans for professional... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 6,144 |
| Round 7 | Parramatta Eels Parramatta Eels The 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... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 11,992 |
| Round 9 | Manly Sea Eagles | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 9,835 |
| Round 10 | Western Suburbs Magpies Western Suburbs Magpies The 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... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 5,546 |
| Round 13 | Balmain Tigers Balmain Tigers The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 8,184 |
| Round 15 | North Sydney Bears North Sydney Bears The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 7,219 |
| Round 17 | Sydney City Roosters | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 8,241 |
| Round 19 | Newcastle Knights Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 10,038 |
| Round 22 | Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast were a professional Rugby league football club which played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership from 1988 to 1994, the Australian Rugby League premiership from 1995 to 1997, and the National Rugby League premiership in 1998... |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 12,089 |
| Total | 95,646 | ||
| Average | 8,695 |