What a great day, with the announcement of the mighty dolphins being named as the league's 17th team. I've been a eels supporter since a young fella but have been living in the Morton bay region since 2010. They have been my Q cup team since moving up here. It will be weird having a split alliance come 2023.
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If I had my way the Bears, Magpies, Jets & Steelers would all be back.
It's criminal the Steelers were forced out of the comp the way they were. They've produced 90% of the relevant talent for the Dragons since the takeover , not to mention the oodles of talent spread accross the rest of the game from the south coast.
Don't forget John Simon. Considering they were a team made up largely of local park footballers who progressed through the local comps and many managed to break through into rep footy without all the fanfare the Sydney players got , it's sad to think what the Steelers could've been if a coach like Brian Smith hung around a little longer and injected a couple of ready made stars.
Bruce Gordon wanted to support the Steelers at the time but the fucking NRL forced the dragons " merge " because the Dragons wanted our players. Saints wouldn't have survived long term without the Illawarra. Ultimately Gordon had to buy half the fucking Dragons to keep them afloat otherwise we would have no footy in the Illawarra at all.
pretty fucking funny considering every Dragons supporter will have you believe that the Dragqueers saved The Steelers from certain death. Bruce Gordon could buy almost any club in the game if he wanted , he's worth over a Billion bucks and he's the bloke who begged the NRL to leave the Steelers alone.
The Dragons just wanted to get their hands on the young crop that were just about to break through for Illawarra, most of which became international and origin regulars.
I remember reading once that decades ago that St.George, before they were officially the "Dragons", were unofficially known as the "Illawarraites".
Not sure if that's true, but I do remember reading that.
Bruce Gordon is a Rugby League tragic and a deadset legend.
Back in the day Illawarra were supposed to be entered to the comp with Penrith . The Illawarra comp was so strong the NSWRL wanted them in and they were backed by a bunch of local cashed up leagues clubs . At the 7th hour the CRL blocked it legally and Cronulla was born . If it wasn't for the CRL the Steelers wouldve been well established by the time the Super league shit hiit . The dragons would've been called the Illawarrains because they have always been accused them of needing to raid the Illawarra for talent . Illawarra rugby league dates back pre nswrl
there is that much cash and talent down here that a local leagues club was going to launch a second team in the super league comp .
Yep too right Mick. Pretty fair to say they both got the shit end of the deal in their mergers.
"A total failure" you say, well they both have won a premiership in the last 16 years, which is more than the eels have done!
True, but you could also argue that coming off the back of a premiership win, both clubs were in a great position to build their brand and become more consistent performers. Neither have been able to do that, and are both perennial strugglers now.
Both yourself and Mick make valid points, however according to some, a premiership is the true measurement of success, which we haven't had for a long time. Let's hope it's not too far away now (for the eels).
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