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Seasons In Review
(Contents)

Introduction

1907 - 1920

1921 - 1925

1926 - 1929

1930 -1934

1935 -1939

1940 -1944

1945 -1949

1950 -1955

1956 -1959

1960 -1963

1964 -1966

1967 -1969

1970 -1973

1974 -1979

1980 - 1984

1985 - 1989

1990 - 1993

1994 - 1995

1996

1997 - 1998

1999

2000 - 2002

2003 - 2005

2006

2007

St George Dragons Rugby League History
Since 1921 - Our Proud History
1997-1998
1997-1998:
SUPER LEAGUE AND ARL SPLIT GAME IN TWO N
RL FORMED
In 1997, the biggest upheaval in the game's history, a separate 'breakaway' competition was formed. Called 'Super League', the organisers promised a world wide Rugby League competition. However, the reality was two smaller competitions and the loss of many supporters to the game as fans became disillusioned.
As the 'Super League War' intensified, star players became hot property and the salary cap became a non-issue. Players were being offered more money than ever before and at times, the competition for signatures became controversial to say the least. A number of clubs, including St George and Illawarra, remained with the Australian Rugby League (ARL). However, many club playing ranks and finances were affected with the Dragons and the Steelers facing an uncertain future.

In 1998, an apparent reconciliation, the Super League competition was scrapped and a new combined competition, the National Rugby League (NRL) was formed. The revised format sees a return to the massive 20 team competition which existed in 1995 and 1996. Two teams, Melbourne Storm (brand new) and Adelaide Rams (from Super League) join while South Queensland Crushers (ARL), Hunter Mariners (SL) and the Western Reds (SL) have been cut from the new competition.
The ARL continued to exist as the administrative body for international matches.

The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) controlled the First Division competition (in place of Reserve Grade) and the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) controlled the Queensland Cup. Both the NSWRL and QRL are to jointly oversee the annual State of Origin series. The Country Rugby League (CRL) continued as the body responsible for regional Group competitions.
1997:
Season snapshot
In 1997 the Illawarra Steelers reached sixth position and earned a semi-final berth, but were knocked out in the first minor qualifying final.
The St George Dragons finished in 10th position, out of the top seven and semi-final contention.
Dragons sign Nathan Blacklock
Nathan Blacklock 1995 while playing for Roosters - St George rugby league historySt George have signed Nathan 'Tingha' Blacklock after the winger was discarded by the Sydney City Roosters (Easts).
Blacklock hails from the small town of Tingha, NSW.

STEELERS DEFEAT DRAGONS
Kogarah, 22 June 1997: Illawarra have scored three tries to two to down the Dragons 12-10 in front of 7,257 people.
St George 10 (Colin Ward, Mark Bell tries. Steven Price 1/2, Gavin Clinch 0/2 goals) defeated by Illawarra 12 (Brett Rodwell 2, Glen Air tries. Darren Bradstreet 0/, Brendon Reeves 0/2 goals).


STEELERS KNOCKED OUT BY GOLD COAST
HISTORY SPOT

TONY BULLIMORE SEA RESCUE
Parramatta, 5 September 1997: Illawarra's semi finals campaign came to an abrupt halt when they were downed 25-14 (five tries to three) by the Gold Coast in front of 8,197 people.
Gold Coast 25 (Jason Nicol, Jeremy Schloss, Scott Sattler, John McKelleher, Graham Mackay tries. Graham Mackay 2/3, Darren Anderson 0/2 goals. Wes Patten field goal)
defeated
Illawarra 14 (Scott Cram, Fili Seru, Trent Barrett tries. Darren Bradstreet 1/1, Dean Moon 0/2 goals)


ARL logo 1995-1997 - St George rugby league history
Super League logo 1997 - St George rugby league history
Australian Rugby League and Super League bury the hatchet

With the 1997 seasons over (Australian Rugby League competition won by underdogs Newcastle, Super League won by favourites Brisbane), the two warring parties met with the view of forming a new joint competition in 1998.


The formation of the NRL
NRL logo 1998 - St George rugby league history23 September 1997: With 22 teams playing in two competitions in 1997, gate takings and sponsorship dollars were spread very thinly. A number of teams found themselves in financial difficulty by the end of the season. The Optus-backed Australian Rugby League undertook moves to approach News Limited and invite the traditional clubs back into the main competition. As a consequence of the negotiations that followed, on September 23, 1997 the ARL announced that it was forming a new competition in partnership with News Limited. The National Rugby League (NRL) was formed from the ARL and Super League competitions.

The newly named competition would have 20 teams competing in 1998, 19 ARL/Super League teams plus new 'franchise' the Melbourne Storm, owned by News Limited. The main sponsor will be Telstra with the competition being known as the Telstra Premiership.

Clubs on both sides of the conflict folded at the end of 1997. On the Super league side, the Hunter Mariners' brief existence came to an end. The Western Reds were $10 million in debt and financially ruined. The ARL closed down the cash-strapped South Queensland Crushers. The writing was also on the wall for Super League's Adelaide Rams and the ARL's Gold Coast Chargers (despite the Gold Coast being one of the few clubs to make a profit during the Super League War). Both Adelaide and the Gold Coast were given one more season.

In 1998, the NRL, headed up by Neil Whittaker, will be the new governing body of the top flight competition. The ARL will continue to control international matches. Super League will be disbanded. Newcomers the Melbourne Storm will have former Super League CEO John Ribot appointed as boss of the News Limited-backed franchise.

1997
ARL First Grade
Ladder
(top 7 in semis)
Manly 32
Newcastle p 29
Parramatta 29
Norths 27
Easts 27
Illawarra 23
Gold Coast 21
Balmain 20
Wests 20
St George 19
Souths
9
South Qld
8
p = Season Premiers

St George
1997
AFTER 22 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
9
12
1
Points For 331
(10th best attack)
59t 47g 1fg
Points Against 392
(8th best defence)
72t 51g 2fg
MP Standing
10th

(12 teams)

Illawarra
1997
AFTER 22 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
10
9
3
Points For 423
(7th best attack)
Points Against 376
(7th best defence)
MP Standing
6th

(12 teams)

FINALS
W
L
0
1
Points For 14
Points Against 25
Final Standing
7th

TOTALS
23 matches
W
L
D
10
10
3
Points For 437
81t 56g 1fg
Points Against 401
70t 59g 3fg
1998:
Anthony Mundine - St George rugby league historyDRAGONS WELCOME BACK MUNDINE
Season snapshot
In 1998 St George qualified for the finals on 27 competition points and a minor premiership standing of eighth position. A defeat in the sudden death Minor Preliminary Semi saw the Dragons bow out in ninth position.
Illawarra ended their season in 12th position and outside of finals contention.
The Dragons have welcomed back Anthony Mundine (pic left) from Brisbane, reportedly signing the star five eighth for $600,000 per year.
By season's end, Mundine was voted player's player.


SAINTS GO DOWN TO CANTERBURY IN KOGARAH SUDDEN DEATH SEMI

Kogarah, 29 August 1998: Hosting a home final at Kogarah wasn't enough for Saints in 1998. The Dragons were controversially defeated by Canterbury 20-12 in the minor preliminary semi final in front of 16,833 people.
It was a tremendous match for the packed crowd but it also had it's fair share of controversy after several questionable decisions had gone against the Dragons, including referee Steven Clark allowing a forward pass to go unchecked resulting in a try to the Bulldogs in the 21st minute. Clark claimed he had a bucket of spit poured over him as he left the field.
Saints dominated the match early on with tries to Darren Treacy (pic below) and Nathan Blacklock to race away to a 12-0 lead but Canterbury fought back and eventually ran out winners.

MINOR PRELIMINARY SEMI FINAL, ST GEORGE v CANTERBURY - STATS:
St George 12 (Treacy, Blacklock tries. Murphy 2/2 goals) defeated by
Canterbury 20 (Halligan, Silva, Marteene tries. Halligan 4/5 goals)

5th minute: St. George 6-0 (Treacy try, Murphy goal). 

11th minute: St. George 12-0 (Blacklock try, Murphy goal). 

21st minute: St. George 12-6 (Halligan try, goal). 

26th minute: St. George 12-8 (Halligan goal). 

30th minute: Canterbury 14-12 (Silva try, Halligan goal). 

Darren Treacy - St George rugby league historyHalf time: Canterbury lead 14-12. 

75th minute: Canterbury 20-12 (Marteene try, Halligan goal). 

Full time: Canterbury won 20-12.


St. George Dragons, team 29 August 1998: 
1. Lee Murphy 2. Adrian Brunker 3. Mark Coyne 20. Jim Lenihan 5. Nathan Blacklock 6. Anthony Mundine 7. Matthew Rodwell 3. Jeff Hardy 12. Lance Thompson 11. Darren Treacy  10. Luke Felsch 9. Nathan Brown 8. Corey Pearson
Interchange: 14. Colin Ward 15. Robbie Simpson 16. Ben Kusto 17. Joel Caine
Coach: David Waite

Changes: Lenihan for 4. Jamie Ainscough. 18. Andrew Tangata-Toa and 19. Craig Stapleton were omitted from the bench.


ST GEORGE AND ILLAWARRA CONFIRM DRAGONS JOINT VENTURE IN 1999
Nathan Blacklock - St George rugby league history Nathan Blacklock club's top try scorer
Winger Nathan Blacklock has topped the club's try scoring list in 1998 with 20 tries.
23 September 1998: The separate club boards of St George and Illawarra met and officially formed into a joint venture. Both clubs will take the field as one in the 1999 season. This is recognised as being Rugby League's first ever successful joint venture.
The supporters were given the following understandings:

The squad of 25 players would have 13 from St George and 12 from Illawarra.

The captaincy in the short term shall be joint controlled with one player from each club being designated co-captain.

The co-coaches shall be David Waite and Andrew Farrar.

The St George jersey with the red vee shall be retained as will the name the Dragons. Sock and shorts will resemble the Steelers old design.

All juniors will be shared.

Illawarra shall receive much needed funding from St George.

The team will play half their home games in the St George district and the other half in the Wollongong district.

Both St George and Illawarra shall retain their district first division sides.

The team shall be known as 'The St George - Illawarra Dragons.'


Mark Coyne - St George rugby league historyMark Coyne speaks 1998WAV (194 Kb)
click on speaker to hear Mark Coyne talk about the St George-Illawarra joint venture.
1998
NRL First Grade
Ladder
(top 9 in semis
-playoff for 9th)

(Sth Qld gone)
Brisbane p 37
Newcastle 37
Melbourne 35
Parramatta 35
Norths 34
Easts 32
Canberra 30
St George 27
Canterbury 26
Manly 26
Cronulla 25
Illawarra 23
Balmain 19 
Penrith 18
Auckland 18
North Qld 18
Adelaide 14
Souths 10
Gold Coast
8
Wests
8
p = Season Premiers

St George
1998
AFTER 24 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
13
10
1
Points For 486
(10th best attack)
Points Against 490
(12th best defence)
MP Standing
8th

(20 teams)

FINALS
W
L
0
1
Points For 12
Points Against 20
Final Standing
9th

TOTALS
25 matches
W
L
D
13
11
1
Points For 498
87t 74g 2fg
Points Against 510
84t 86g 2fg

Illawarra
1998
AFTER 24 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw
W
L
D
11
12
1
Points For 476
(11th best attack)
83t 71g 2fg
Points Against 539
(14th best defence)
97t 74g 3fg
MP Standing
12th

(20 teams)
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