1997 Illawarra Steelers season

October 2025 Illawarra Steelers 1997 AUS Bob Millward AUS Andrew Farrar AUS Paul McGregor NRL 6th (out of 12) Wayne Clifford (14) Wayne Clifford (56) 12,089 (vs. Gold Coast Chargers, 30 August 1997, at WIN Stadium) 5,546 (vs. Western Suburbs Magpies, 10 May 1997, at WIN Stadium) 8,695 1996 1998 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. Season summary The Steelers lost several players before the start of this season, including veterans Neil Piccinelli, David Riolo, Brendan O'Meara and Darren Fritz, leaving a massive hole to be filled by many inexperienced juniors. They gained only halfback/hooker Will Robinson from Souths. The beginning of the season looked promising for the Steelers with four wins, one draw and one loss from their first six games, leaving them sitting third on the ladder. However, they failed to win any of their next seven games, which included two draws. This middle portion of the season did not bode well for the club’s finals prospects, but to their credit, they won four of their next five games and the final two matches of the season when a post-season berth was on the line. Disappointingly for the Steelers, a 25-14 loss at Parramatta Stadium at the hands of the Gold Coast Chargers in the first week of the finals spelt a disastrous end to a season which could have produced so much more, as some of the country’s most formidable sides were competing in the rival Telstra Super League tournament. Player movements Gains Player Previous club Will Robinson South Sydney Rabbitohs Losses Player Joined Club Paul Carige Parramatta Eels Darrien Doherty Hunter Mariners Darren Fritz North Sydney Bears Brendan O'Meara South Sydney Rabbitohs Neil Piccinelli Hunter Mariners Wayne Richards Newcastle Knights David Riolo Parramatta Eels Craig Simon South Sydney Josh White London Broncos Squad Australia HB Glen Air Australia FE Trent Barrett Australia SR Darren Bradstreet Australia LK Adam Bristow Australia WG Jonathan Britten Australia HK Dean Callaway Australia WG Wayne Clifford Australia PR David Cox Australia PR Scott Cram Australia LK John Cross Australia SR Michael Cross Australia PR Maea David Australia PR Andrew Hart Australia WG Brendon Hauville Australia CE Jason Hooper Australia SR Terry Lamey Australia PR Chris Leikvoll Australia LK Brad Mackay Australia CE Paul McGregor(captain) Australia WG Dean Moon Australia HK Andrew Purcell Australia FB Brendon Reeves Australia HB Will Robinson Australia CE Brett Rodwell Australia WG Fili Seru Australia CE Craig Simon Australia PR Craig Smith Australia CE Shaun Timmins Australia SR Brendon Tunbridge Australia WG Rod Wishart Draw and Results Quick Summary 1997 Illawarra Steelers season summary Round Home Score Away1Steelers 50-10 Souths 15 Souths2Balmain 15 Balmain10-18Steelers3Steelers 8-20 St.George 15 St. George4Norths 15 Norths18-18Steelers5Steelers 14-6 South Queensland 15 Sth Qld6Easts 15 Sydney 20-26 Steelers Round Home Score Away7Steelers 16-23 Parramatta 15 Parramatta8Newcastle 15 Newcastle 20-4 Steelers9Steelers 34-34 Manly 15 Manly10Steelers 2-6 Western Suburbs 15 Wests11 Gold Coast 10-11 Steelers12Souths 15 Souths 28-28 Steelers Round Home Score Away13Steelers 6-18 Balmain 15 Balmain14St.George 15 St. George 10-12 Steelers15Steelers 15-8 Norths 15 Norths16South Queensland 15 Sth Qld 8-34 Steelers17Steelers 12-34 Easts 15 Sydney18Parramatta 15 Parramatta 24-28 Steelers Round Home Score Away19Steelers 12-22 Newcastle 15 Newcastle20Manly 15 Manly 30-14 Steelers21Western Suburbs 15 Wests 10-34 Steelers22Steelers 28-6 Gold CoastF1Steelers 14-25 Gold Coast March (2-1-1) Round 1 9 March 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers South Sydney Rabbitohs 15 South Sydney Rabbitohs (20) 50–10 (10) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 7,697 Paul McBlane (field) Tries: Brett Rodwell 3 Rod Wishart 2 Wayne Clifford 2 Brad Mackay Shaun Timmins Goals: Rod Wishart 7/9 Tries: M.Manning Goals: M.Manning 3/3 Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Cram, Tunbridge, David, Hart. Round 2 15 March 1997 Balmain Tigers 15 Balmain Tigers Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (10) 10–18 (0) Leichhardt Oval Sydney, New South Wales 8,211 David Manson (field) Tries: William Kennedy Goals: C.Freer 2/3 Michael Withers 1/1 Tries: Wayne Clifford 2 Rod Wishart Goals: Rod Wishart 3/4 Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross. Round 3 22 March 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers St. George Dragons 15 St. George Dragons (4) 8–20 (18) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 8,661 Paul Simpkins (field) Tries: Glen Air Goals: Rod Wishart 2/3 Tries: Daniel Wagon Jim Lenihan S.Kenward Goals: Wayne Bartrim 4/5 Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Wishart, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Callaway, Smith, Bristow, Mackay, Rodwell. Interchange: Tunbridge, Cram, David, J.Cross. Round 4 28 March 1997 North Sydney Bears 15 North Sydney Bears Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (4) 18–18 (14) North Sydney Oval Sydney, New South Wales 8,319 Paul McBlane (field) Tries: Chris Caruana Matt Seers Jason Taylor Goals: Jason Taylor 3/4 Tries: Brendon Reeves Wayne Clifford Dean Callaway Bredon Hauville Goals: Rod Wishart 1/3 Shaun Timmins 0/1 Optus Cup 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. April (2-0-2) Round 5 6 April 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers South Queensland Crushers 15 South Queensland Crushers (4) 14–6 (0) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 6,144 Matt Hewitt (field) Tries: Adam Bristow Shaun Timmins Trent Barrett Goals: Darren Bradstreet 1/1 Brendon Reeves 0/2 Tries: Jason Hudson Goals: Jason Hudson 1/2 Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, Tunbridge, David, Hart. Round 6 13 April 1997 Sydney City Roosters 15 Sydney City Roosters Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (12) 20–42 (16) Sydney Football Stadium Sydney, New South Wales 7,600 Paul Simpkins (field) Tries: Ivan Cleary Andrew Walker Shane Rigon Goals: Ivan Cleary 4/4 Tries: Trent Barrett 2 Brendon Reeves 2 John Cross Goals: Darren Bradstreet 2/3 Brendon Reeves 1/2 Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, Tunbridge, David, Hart. Round 7 19 April 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers Parramatta Eels 15 Parramatta Eels (8) 16–23 (20) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 11,992 Sean Hampstead (field) Tries: Will Robinson Adam Bristow Wayne Clifford Goals: Darren Bradstreet 1/3 Brendon Reeves 1/1 Tries: Stuart Kelly 2 Shane Whereat Jason Bell Goals: Ian Herron 3/5 John Simon field goal Optus Cup Steelers Lineup: Reeves; Hauville, Timmins, McGregor (c), Clifford; Barrett, Air; Bradstreet, Robinson, Smith, Cram, Mackay, J.Cross. Interchange: Bristow, David, Tunbridge, Seru. Round 8 27 April 1997 Newcastle Knights 15 Newcastle Knights Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (6) 20–4 (4) Marathon Stadium Newcastle, New South Wales 12,582 Kelvin Jeffes (field) Tries: Jason Moodie Owen Craigie Mathew Gidley Robbie O'Davis Goals: Robbie O'Davis 2/3 Leo Dynevor 0/2 Tries: Glen Air Goals: Brendon Reeves 0/1 Optus Cup 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) Round 9 4 May 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers Manly Sea Eagles 15 Manly Sea Eagles (18) 34–34 (18) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 9,835 David Manson (field) Tries: Brad Mackay Trent Barrett John Cross Brendon Reeves Scott Cram Shaun Timmins Goals: Darren Bradstreet 3/4 Brendon Reeves 2/3 Tries: Craig Innes 3 Terry Hill 2 Danny Moore Goals: Craig Field 5/6 Optus Cup 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 Barrett 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. Round 10 10 May 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers Western Suburbs Magpies 15 Western Suburbs Magpies (0) 2–6 (0) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 5,546 Sean Hampstead (field) Goals: Darren Bradstreet 1/3 Tries: Des Hasler Goals: Andrew Leeds 1/3 Optus Cup 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. Round 11 17 May 1997 Gold Coast Illawarra Steelers (6) 11–10 (4) Carrara Stadium Gold Coast, Queensland 5,813 David Manson (field) Tries: Jamie Goddard Graham Mackay Goals: Brendan Hurst 1/3, field goal Tries: Shaun Timmins Will Robinson Goals: Rod Wishart 1/2 Optus Cup 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. Steelers Lineup: Seru; Wishart, Rodwell, McGregor (c), Clifford; Timmins, Robinson; Cram, J.Cross, Smith, Bristow, Bradstreet, Hart. Interchange: Reeves, Cox, David, M.Cross. Round 12 25 May 1997 South Sydney Rabbitohs 15 South Sydney Rabbitohs Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (12) 28–28 (18) Sydney Football Stadium Sydney, New South Wales 4,271 Mogsheen Jadwat (field) Tries: Darrell Trindall Paul Sutton Craig Simon Phil Howlett Marty Moore Goals: Julian O'Neill 4/7 Tries: Darren Bradstreet Brendon Reeves David Cox Will Robinson Wayne Clifford Goals: Darren Bradstreet 2/2 Brendon Reeves 2/4 Optus Cup Illawarra recorded a third draw of the season, finishing 28–28. The match featured ten tries and an attendance of less than five thousand. Following the result, Illawarra moved into eighth place, falling outside of playoff contention for the first time in the campaign. 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) Round 13 6 June 1997 Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers Balmain Tigers 15 Balmain Tigers (0) 6–18 (12) WIN Stadium Wollongong, New South Wales 8,184 Matt Hewitt (field) Tries: Trent Barrett Goals: Darren Bradstreet 1/1 Tries: Laloa Milford William Kennedy Adam Starr Goals: Michael Withers 3/3 Optus Cup It was a disappointing first Friday Night Football of the season for the Illawarra side at home, losing 18-6 to a Balmain Tigers 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. Round 14 22 June 1997 St. George Dragons 15 St. George Dragons Illawarra Steelers 15 Illawarra Steelers (4) 10–12 (8) Kogarah Oval Sydney, New South Wales 7,257 Paul Simpkins (field) Tries: Colin Ward Mark Bell Goals: Steven Price 1/2 Gavin Clinch 0/2 Tries: Brett Rodwell 2 Glen Air Goals: Darren Bradstreet 0/2 Brendon Reeves 0/2 Optus Cup 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. Ladder TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts116x16px Manly221525521366+15532216x16px Newcastle221417512320+19229316x16px Parramatta221417431359+7229416x16px North Sydney221318529341+18827516x16px Sydney City221318487366+12127616x16px Illawarra221039423376+4723716x16px Gold Coast2210111438466-2821816x16px Balmain2210012339340-120916x16px Western Suburbs2210012355424-69201016x16px St. George229112331392-61191116x16px South Sydney224117323630-30791216x16px South Queensland224018321630-3098 Home Crowd Averages Round Opposition Venue Crowd Round 1 South Sydney Rabbitohs WIN Stadium, Wollongong 7,697 Round 3 St. George Dragons WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8,661 Round 5 South Queensland Crushers WIN Stadium, Wollongong 6,144 Round 7 Parramatta Eels WIN Stadium, Wollongong 11,992 Round 9 Manly Sea Eagles WIN Stadium, Wollongong 9,835 Round 10 Western Suburbs Magpies WIN Stadium, Wollongong 5,546 Round 13 Balmain Tigers WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8,184 Round 15 North Sydney Bears WIN Stadium, Wollongong 7,219 Round 17 Sydney City Roosters WIN Stadium, Wollongong 8,241 Round 19 Newcastle Knights WIN Stadium, Wollongong 10,038 Round 22 Gold Coast Chargers WIN Stadium, Wollongong 12,089 Total 95,646 Average 8,695 References Category:Illawarra Steelers seasons Illawarra Steelers season