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.
| 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) | ||
| |||
Players
editSquad
edit
|
|
Player Movements
editGains
| Player | Previous Club |
|---|---|
| Craig Wilson | South Queensland Crushers |
Losses
| Player | Joined Club |
|---|---|
| John Cross | Penrith Panthers |
| Fili Seru | retired |
Ladder
edit| Pos | Team | 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 |
Draw and Results
edit| 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 Gordon 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
edit| 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 | ||