1998 Illawarra Steelers season

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-Bankstown 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. The club would eventually form a joint-venture with the St. George Dragons for the start of the 1999 NRL season.

Illawarra Steelers

1998 season
CEO	Bob Millward
Head coach	Andrew Farrar
Captain	Paul McGregor
NRL	12th (out of 20)
Top try scorer	Club: Trent Barrett (18)
Top points scorer	Club: Craig Fitzgibbon (84)
Highest home attendance	13,106 (vs Canterbury, 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)
← 1997 n/a →

Players

Squad

No. Position Player Trent Barrett – FE Darren Bradstreet – SR Adam Bristow – LK Jonathan Britten – WG Dean Callaway – HK Wayne Clifford – WG Scott Cram – PR Andrew Hart – PR Jason Hooper – CE Terry Lamey – SR Chris Leikvoll – PR Brad Mackay – LK

No. Position Player Paul McGregor – CE (captain) Dean Moon – WG Andrew Purcell – HK Brendon Reeves – FB Will Robinson – HB Craig Simon – CE Craig Smith – PR Shaun Timmins – CE Brendon Tunbridge – SR Craig Wilson – SR Rod Wishart – WG

Player Movements

Gains

Player	Previous Club
Craig Wilson	South Queensland Crushers

Losses

Player	Joined Club
John Cross	Penrith Panthers
Fili Seru	retired

Ladder

1998 NRL season

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Brisbane Broncos (P)	24	18	1	5	688	310	+378	37
2	Newcastle Knights	24	18	1	5	562	381	+181	37
3	Melbourne Storm	24	17	1	6	546	372	+174	35
4	Parramatta Eels	24	17	1	6	468	349	+119	35
5	North Sydney Bears	24	17	0	7	663	367	+296	34
6	Sydney City Roosters	24	16	0	8	680	383	+297	32
7	Canberra Raiders	24	15	0	9	564	429	+135	30
8	St. George Dragons	24	13	1	10	486	490	−4	27
9	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	24	13	0	11	489	411	+78	26
10	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	24	13	0	11	503	473	+30	26
11	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	24	12	1	11	438	387	+51	25
12	Illawarra Steelers	24	11	1	12	476	539	−63	23
13	Balmain Tigers	24	9	1	14	381	463	−82	19
14	Penrith Panthers	24	8	2	14	525	580	−55	18
15	Auckland Warriors	24	9	0	15	417	518	−101	18
16	North Queensland Cowboys	24	9	0	15	361	556	−195	18
17	Adelaide Rams	24	7	0	17	393	615	−222	14
18	South Sydney Rabbitohs	24	5	0	19	339	560	−221	10
19	Gold Coast Chargers	24	4	0	20	289	654	−365	8
20	Western Suburbs Magpies	24	4	0	20	371	802	−431	8

Source: ^[1]
(P) Premiers

Draw and Results

Round 1: 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 Lazarus 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 Gorden Tallis Goals: Michael De Vere 1/2 Darren Lockyer 0/2	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 12,018

18 July 1998	Manly	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	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	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	10,695
Round 3	Newcastle Knights	WIN Stadium	9,141
Round 5	St. George Dragons	WIN Stadium	9,427
Round 7	Parramatta Eels	WIN Stadium	9,119
Round 9	Western Suburbs Magpies	WIN Stadium	7,636
Round 12	South Sydney Rabbitohs	WIN Stadium	8,174
Round 14	Balmain Tigers	WIN Stadium	10,076
Round 16	North Queensland Cowboys	WIN Stadium	6,558
Round 18	Brisbane Broncos	WIN Stadium	12,018
Round 20	North Sydney Bears	WIN Stadium	6,847
Round 22	Sydney City Roosters	WIN Stadium	8,178
Round 24	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	WIN Stadium	13,106
Season Total			110,975
Season Average			9,248