Illawarra Steelers are an Australian rugby league football club based in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales.
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26 Facts About Illawarra Steelers
2.
Illawarra Steelers entered the competition in 1982, with financial backing from many of the local leagues clubs.
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3.
Illawarra Steelers's performance inspired Australian folk singer John Williamson to write a song about the match.
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4.
The Illawarra Steelers licensed club opened its doors thanks to the efforts of the local community and businesses.
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5.
However, Illawarra were denied tries on several controversial occasions leaving the Steelers with a bitter end to their successful season.
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6.
In 1997's stand-alone Australian Rugby League competition, the Illawarra Steelers finished sixth, qualifying for the Finals series, only to bow out in the first week at a rain sodden and sparsely populated Parramatta Stadium.
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8.
Alas, with the possibility of not making the cut, Illawarra Steelers approached St George and initiated joint venture talks midway through 1998.
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9.
Illawarra Steelers produced some brilliant playing talent, most notably International representatives Rod Wishart and Paul McGregor.
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10.
Illawarra Steelers decided to form a joint venture with the St George Dragons for the 1999 NRL season to form the St George Illawarra Dragons.
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11.
The Illawarra Steelers have at times provided the bulk of St George Illawarra's squad, including internationals Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey, Jason Ryles, Shaun Timmins, Trent Barrett, Brett Morris, Josh Morris and Ben Creagh.
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14.
One example of this is that, on 18 April 2004 against Penrith at WIN Stadium, St George Illawarra introduced an alternate jersey which was predominantly red, this being recognisably similar to the former Steelers' jersey.
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16.
WIN Corp can only sell their stake back to the Steelers, should they wish to withdraw their involvement, thus ensuring Illawarra are always properly represented in the joint venture.
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17.
In 2016, Illawarra Steelers won their first and only premiership title with the 2016 against Mount Pritchard Mounties at Parramatta Stadium.
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18.
On October 27,2017, it was announced that Illawarra Steelers would be replaced by The St George Illawarra Steelers Dragons for The 2018 Intrust Super Premiership NSW season as part of a restructure in the competition.
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19.
The actual 'Illawarra Steelers' name came after a competition was run to choose a name.
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20.
Original Illawarra Steelers jersey was all scarlet with two white hooped stripes on each sleeve.
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21.
Illawarra Steelers Cutters wore a kit similar to that of the club's 1980s and early 1990s design.
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22.
However, after a major restructure of its operations, the Illawarra Steelers Club has been trading profitably through the 2010s.
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23.
Illawarra Steelers played all their home games at the Wollongong Showground.
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24.
On rare occasions, the Illawarra Steelers Cutters move home games to WIN Jubilee Oval to coincide with NRL fixtures and to other venues on the South Coast.
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25.
The Illawarra Steelers were competitive with Sydney Clubs by the 1990s but Super League raised the financial bar too quickly and blew them out of the water at a crucial time in their development.
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26.
In 2006 the Illawarra Steelers celebrated their 25th anniversary and named a "Team of Steel", including the best players of the club's history.
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