1998 Illawarra Steelers season

Illawarra Steelers
Season 1998
CEO	Bob Millward
Head Coach	Andrew Farrar
Captain	Paul McGregor
NRL	12th (out of 20)
Top Try scorer	Trent Barrett (18)
Top Points scorer	Craig Fitzgibbon (84)
Highest home attendance	13,106 (vs Canterbury Bulldogs, 23 August 1998, WIN Stadium)
Lowest home attendance	6,558 (vs North Queensland Cowboys, 25 June 1998, WIN Stadium)
Average home attendance	9,248 (Season total: 110,975)
← Previous season 1997	Next season → n/a

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 the final round of the regular season saw the Steelers finish 12th. Andrew Farrar's team of hopefuls were unable to make the finals series and were put under pressure to merge or fold when the league was expected to cut the twenty-team competition down to fourteen for the 1999 season. They did eventually merge with the St. George Dragons for the start of the 1999 NRL season.

Draw and Results

14 March 1998	Illawarra Steelers	12-14	Melbourne Storm	Wollongong, New South Wales
19:30	Tries: Craig Wilson Will Robinson Goals: Dean Moon 2/4		Tries: Scott Hill 2 Goals: Craig Smith 3/3	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 10,695 Referee: Sean Hampstead

22 March 1998	South Sydney Rabbitohs	14-22	Illawarra Steelers	Sydney, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Chris Caruana Troy Slattery Goals: Julian O'Neill 3/3		Tries: Rod Wishart Brad Mackay Paul McGregor Trent Barrett Goals: Rod Wishart 3/5	Stadium: Aussie Stadium Attendance: 8,708 Referee: Paul McBlane

28 March 1998	Illawarra Steelers	18-37	Newcastle Knights	Wollongong, New South Wales
15:30	Tries: Trent Barrett 2 Andrew Hart Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 2/2 Tim Horan 1/1		Tries: Bill Peden 2 Owen Craigie Andrew Johns Robbie O'Davis Neil Piccinelli Goals: Andrew Johns 5/6 Owen Craigie 1/1 Field Goals: Andrew Johns 1	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 9,141 Referee: Steve Clark

3 April 1998	Sydney City Roosters	30-16	Illawarra Steelers	Sydney, New South Wales
19:30	Tries: Andrew Walker 2 Nigel Gaffey Ivan Cleary Scott Gouley Goals: Ivan Cleary 5		Tries: Will Robinson Trent Barrett Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4	Stadium: Aussie Stadium Attendance: 7,106 Referee: Paul McBlane

11 April 1998	Illawarra Steelers	12-19	St. George Dragons	Wollongong, New South Wales
00:00	Tries: Craig Wilson Shaun Timmins Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 2		Tries: Corey Pearson Jim Lenihan Jamie Ainscough Mark Coyne Goals: Lee Murphy 1 Field Goals: Jamie Ainscough 1	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 9,427 Referee: Brian Grant

18 April 1998	Canberra Raiders	20-22	Illawarra Steelers	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
15:30	Tries: Jason Croker Ben Kennedy Luke Priddis Goals: David Furner 4		Tries: Shaun Timmins Brendon Reeves Andrew Purcell Craig Fitzgibbon Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 2 Darren Bradstreet 1	Stadium: Bruce Stadium Attendance: 8,238 Referee: Sean Hampstead

26 April 1998	Illawarra Steelers	20-12	Parramatta Eels	Wollongong, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Paul McGregor Trent Barrett Terry Lamey Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4		Tries: Shane Whereat John Simon Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 2	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 9,119 Referee: Tim Mander

2 May 1998	Penrith Panthers	38-14	Illawarra Steelers	Penrith, New South Wales
00:00	Tries: Robbie Beckett 2 Andrew Hinson Ryan Girdler Gordon Falcon Peter Jorgensen Craig Wise Goals: Ryan Girdler 5		Tries: Jonathon Britten Craig Simon Paul McGregor Goals: Brendon Reeves 1	Stadium: Penrith Stadium Attendance: 6,154 Referee: Matt Hewitt

9 May 1998	Illawarra Steelers	42-20	Western Suburbs Magpies	Wollongong, New South Wales
19:30	Tries: Craig Simon 2 Will Robinson Andrew Purcell Terry Lamey Paul McGregor Rod Wishart Goals: Rod Wishart 7		Tries: Ken McGuiness Jared Mills Ron Jones Kevin McGuiness Goals: Brett Warton 2	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 7,636 Referee: Paul McBlane

16 May 1998	St. George Dragons	32-16	Illawarra Steelers	Kogarah, New South Wales
19:30	Tries: Goals:		Tries: Goals:	Stadium: Kogarah Oval Attendance: 6,296 Referee: Sean Hampstead

24 May 1998	Melbourne Storm	14-14	Illawarra Steelers	Melbourne, Victoria
	Tries: Glenn Lazurus Robbie Ross Goals: Craig Smith 3		Tries: Trent Barrett 2 Brendon Reeves Goals: Rod Wishart 1	Stadium: Olympic Park Attendance: 9,018 Referee: Paul Simpkins

31 May 1998	Illawarra Steelers	18-12	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Wollongong, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Trent Barrett Paul McGregor Andrew Hart Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 3		Tries: Tim Brasher Julian O'Neill Goals: Simon Forrest 2	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 8,174 Referee: Mogsheen Jadwat

6 June 1998	Gold Coast Chargers	10-32	Illawarra Steelers	Gold Coast, Queensland
19:30	Tries: Jason Hudson Andrew King Goals: Scott Thorburn		Tries: Trent Barrett 2 Rod Wishart Dean Callaway Will Robinson Craig Wilson Goals: Rod Wishart 4	Stadium: Carrara Stadium Attendance: 3,762 Referee: Eddie Ward

14 June 1998	Illawarra Steelers	16-38	Balmain Tigers	Wollongong, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Craig Simon Jonathon Britten Trent Barrett Goals: Rod Wishart Craig Fitzgibbon		Tries: Laloa Milford 3 Michael Gillett William Kennedy Brendan Magnus Jason Webber Goals: Shannon Nevin 5	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 10,076 Referee: Paul McBlane

20 June 1998	Adelaide Rams	4-39	Illawarra Steelers	Whyalla, South Australia
14:30	Tries: David Kidwell Goals: Luke Williamson 0/1		Tries: Dean Callaway 2 Wayne Clifford 2 Andrew Hart Craig Fitzgibbon Luke Patten Goals: Brad Mackay 3/5 Craig Fitzgibbon 2/3 Field Goals: Trent Barrett 1	Stadium: Bennett Oval Attendance: 5,153 Referee: Steve Chiddy

28 June 1998	Illawarra Steelers	24-18	North Queensland Cowboys	Wollongong, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Andrew Purcell Jonathon Britten Trent Barrett Shaun Timmins Goals: Brad Mackay 2 Craig Fitzgibbon 2		Tries: Josh Hannay 2 B Tabui Noa Nadruku Goals: Josh Hannay 1	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 6,558 Referee: Sean Hampstead

4 July 1998	Auckland Warriors	14-17	Illawarra Steelers	Auckland, New Zealand
	Tries: Stephen Kearney Joe Vagana Syd Eru Goals: Stacey Jones 1		Tries: Wayne Clifford 2 Shaun Timmins Goals: Rod Wishart 1 Craig Fitzgibbon 1 Field Goals: Craig Wilson 1	Stadium: Ericsson Stadium Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Tim Mander

12 July 1998	Illawarra Steelers	12-18	Brisbane Broncos	Wollongong, New South Wales
	Tries: Dean Callaway Paul McGregor Goals: Rod Wishart 2/2		Tries: Andrew Gee Wendell Sailor Darren Smith Gordon Tallis Goals: Michael De Vere 1/2 Darren Lockyer 0/2	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 12,018

18 July 1998	Manly Sea Eagles	22-12	Illawarra Steelers	Manly, New South Wales
	Tries: Duncan 2 John Hopoate Steve Menzies Craig Hancock Goals: Duncan 1		Tries: Craig Simon Luke Patten Goals: Rod Wishart 1 Craig Fitzgibbon 1	Stadium: Brookvale Oval Attendance: 5,631

25 July 1998	Illawarra Steelers	6-32	North Sydney Bears	Wollongong, New South Wales
	Tries: Craig Simon Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 1		Tries: Michael Buettner 3 Adam Muir Gary Larson Goals: Jason Taylor 6	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 6,847

1 August 1998	Newcastle Knights	26-28	Illawarra Steelers	Newcastle, New South Wales
	Tries: Jason Moodie Owen Craigie Andrew Johns Danny Buderus Peter Shiels Goals: Owen Craigie 2 Andrew Johns 1		Tries: Trent Barrett 3 Luke Patten Will Robinson Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 3 Rod Wishart 1	Stadium: Marathon Stadium Attendance: 20,026 Referee: Steve Clark

9 August 1998	Illawarra Steelers	10-48	Sydney City Roosters	Wollongong, New South Wales
	Tries: Shaun Timmins Andrew Purcell Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 1		Tries: Brad Fittler 2 B Miles 2 Matt Sing Ivan Cleary Adrian Lam Nat Wood Goals: Ivan Cleary 8	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 8,178 Referee: Sean Hampstead

15 August 1998	Cronulla Sharks	22-30	Illawarra Steelers	Cronulla, New South Wales
	Tries: Russell Richardson 2 Mat Rogers Dean Treister Goals: Mat Rogers 3		Tries: Jonathon Britten 2 Shaun Timmins Trent Barrett Craig Simon Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4 Rod Wishart 1	Stadium: Shark Park Attendance: 6,487 Referee: Brian Grant

23 August 1998	Illawarra Steelers	24-25	Canterbury Bulldogs	Wollongong, New South Wales
14:30	Tries: Luke Patten 2 Trent Barrett Adam Bristow Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4		Tries: Rod Silva Gavin Lester Jason Hetherington Glen Hughes Goals: Daryl Halligan 4 Field-Goals: Craig Polla-Mounter 1	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 13,016 Referee: Steve Clark

Home Crowd Averages

Round Opposition Venue Crowd Round 1 Melbourne Storm WIN Stadium, Wollongong 10,695 Round 3 Newcastle Knights WIN Stadium, Wollongong 9,141 Round 5 St. George Dragons WIN Stadium, Wollongong 9,427 Round 7 Parramatta Eels WIN Stadium, Wollongong 9,119 Round 9 Western Suburbs Magpies WIN Stadium, Wollongong 7,636 Round 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8,174 Round 14 Balmain Tigers WIN Stadium, Wollongong 10,076 Round 16 North Queensland Cowboys WIN Stadium, Wollongong 6,558 Round 18 Brisbane Broncos WIN Stadium, Wollongong 12,018 Round 20 North Sydney Bears WIN Stadium, Wollongong 6,847 Round 22 Sydney City Roosters WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8,178 Round 24 Bulldogs WIN Stadium, Wollongong 13,106 Player Movements Gains Player Previous Club Craig Wilson South Queensland Crushers Losses Player Joined Club John Cross Penrith Panthers Fili Seru retired Squad No. Position Player FE Trent Barrett SR Darren Bradstreet LK Adam Bristow WG Jonathon Britten HK Dean Callaway WG Wayne Clifford PR Scott Cram PR Andrew Hart CE Jason Hooper SR Terry Lamey PR Chris Leikvoll LK Brad Mackay No. Position Player CE Paul McGregor (captain) WG Dean Moon HK Andrew Purcell FB Brendon Reeves HB Will Robinson CE Craig Simon PR Craig Smith CE Shaun Timmins SR Brendon Turnbridge SR Craig Wilson WG Rod Wishart References External links Illawarra Steelers Est. 1982 in Wollongong, New South Wales The Club History Players Home Grounds Wollongong Showground League Current: National Rugby League Past: NSWRL ARL Important Figures John Dorahy Allan Fitzgibbon Chris Walsh John Cross Graham Murray Paul McGregor Rod Wishart Seasons (17) 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Other Competitions Current: Harold Matthews Cup S.G. Ball Cup Past: Amco Cup Jersey Flegg Cup New South Wales Cup Affiliations St George Illawarra Dragons 1998 in rugby league « 1997 1999 » International Rugby League New Zealand tour of Great Britain British Rugby League Competitions Super League Grand Final Division One Division Two Challenge Cup SL Teams Bradford Bulls Castleford Tigers Halifax Blue Sox Huddersfield Giants Hull Sharks Leeds Rhinos London Broncos Salford City Reds Sheffield Eagles St Helens Warrington Wolves Wigan Warriors Australian Rugby League Competitions State of Origin NRL season Grand Final Queensland Cup NSWRL First Division By club Adelaide Rams Auckland Warriors Balmain Tigers Brisbane Broncos Canterbury Bulldogs Canberra Raiders Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Illawarra Steelers Gold Coast Chargers Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Melbourne Storm Newcastle Knights North Queensland Cowboys North Sydney Bears Parramatta Eels Penrith Panthers Sydney Roosters St. George Dragons South Sydney Rabbitohs Western Suburbs Magpies Other Domestic competitions France New Zealand