Brett Rodwell signed photo

My dad was a big Steelers-Dragons fan in the 80's and onwards from what I remember and he worked for a cigarette company which went to events I guess so he got this signed for me one of those times - I remember a few Dragons players but mostly late 90's when I worked at the stadium - anyone have any memories of Rodwell or references to importance to Dragons culture?

Was a great centre! Had a soft spot for the Steelers with Wishart, Rodwell, Schifilliti, Russell etc.

Matt26 said:

Was a great centre! Had a soft spot for the Steelers with Wishart, Rodwell, Schifilliti, Russell etc.

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Yeah now Wishart is a more well known name to me! And Paul McGregor.

One I didn’t know was Michael Bolt - until he opened up a brewery behind the Entertainment Centre precinct - bloody fantastic beers some of them there

Bolt was a legend for the Steelers great player!

Others I can remember David Riolo, Chris Walsh, Trent Barrett, Alan McIndoe, John Cross and Ryan Girdler as well!

Matt26 said:

Bolt was a legend for the Steelers great player!

Others I can remember David Riolo, Chris Walsh, Trent Barrett, Alan McIndoe, John Cross and Ryan Girdler as well!

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Yes Trent Barrett too - just did a quick search of Steelers greats - that's why he didn't come up it was the Dragons by then

Brett Rodwell was a great centre for the Illawarra Steelers 1989-97 before two seasons at Souths.

He and McGregor made a bloody good centre pairing. Add Wishart and McIndoe on the wing and they had some serious size, skill and pace. With the Steelers peaking 92 era, they had Riolo as FB, John Simon as their 1/2 and Ian Russell at 5/8.

The forwards were guys like Dale Fritz, John Cross, Piccinelli and hooker Schifilliti. Graham Murray was coach.

They were desperately unlucky to lose to St George in 1992 and miss the GF.

Illawarra as a region always produced plenty of solid talent. Tbh, the Steelers should’ve remained a one town team much like the Knights. Bill Harrigan screwed them in 1991, missing the top 5 by 2 pts. 1992 was so close. They finished 6th in 1994.

Expansion, then Super League in 1995 cruelled them and Murray left. They hated new coach McMahon and then fell away a little bit in 96. They missed finals a couple of years by a win and were very unlucky in others. They did begin blooding Shaun Timmins, Trent Barrett, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Patten. Once the merger (take over) occurred internationals Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey, Jason Ryles, Shaun Timmins, Trent Barrett, Brett Morris, Josh Morris and Ben Creagh all came out of the Illawarra nursery.

Don’t get me wrong, I love St George, St George-Illawarra and the Steelers. Ultimately, I think both clubs should’ve survived independently but it’s been 25 years, so what do I know. There is a really great Steelers fb page and Barrett is on record as saying as he sees himself and has his heart as a Steeler.

The Steelers players are pretty tight too. They do gatherings and what not. Their 1982-1998 was special.

Back to Rodwell, he was a very good player.

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Great info thanks @The Mad Hatter !