2015 Illawarra Rugby League Competition Thread

[Weiry]

The Illawarra 2015 Rugby League Thread featuring News and Results.

Didn't see a thread on the Illawarra Rugby League comps so thought I would create one seeing that (in my opinion) it is one of the strongest competitions in NSW.

I will be posting mainly results on Monday afternoons as that is when most results are published and that is roughly the time I get home from work.

This year sees the First Grade Comp fielding six teams with teams playing each other 3 times.

The competition sees many former NRL and NYC players including Brett Kearney, Trent Waterhouse, Stewart Mills, Danny Rauicava, Bronx Goodwin, Daniel Holdsworth, Kane Morgan, Geoff Daniela and many more

At the moment the Table looks like this:

1. Helensburgh 16
2. Western Suburbs 12
3. Thirroul 8
4. Dapto 8
5. Corrimal 6
6. Collegians 4

Players Stats - Top 3

Tries:

1. Mitchell Porter - 10 (Western Suburbs)
2. Simon Maslanka - 8 (Helensburgh)
3. Eli Roberts - 7 (Corrimal)


Goals:

1. Mitchell Porter - 28 (Western Suburbs)
2. Blake Wallace - 18 (Dapto)
3. Grant Smith - 17 (Helensburgh)

Points:

1. Mitchell Porter - 96 (Western Suburbs)
2. Blake Wallace - 53 (Dapto)
3. Grant Smith - 46 - (Helensburgh)

 

[Weiry]

This Weeks Games

Corrimal v Western Suburbs Friday 26th June

Collegians v Thirroul Saturday 27th June

Dapto v Helensburgh Saturday 27th June

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

As a league it has unfortunately fallen sharply in the last decade. 6 teams in the top flight is far too small for that area. But unfortunately those are the times down there.

 

[CC_Roosters]

As a league it has unfortunately fallen sharply in the last decade. 6 teams in the top flight is far too small for that area. But unfortunately those are the times down there.

I read that berkeley are back in all senior grades from next season so back to 7 at least

 

[Weiry]

HAT-TRICK OF CRL
TITLES
. . . 13 COUNTRY REPS.

Illawarra again proved to be the
undisputed “Champions of NSW
Country Rugby League”, by winning the
2015 championship final in Mudgee
last Saturday. This was a hat-trick of
Tier One titles.

The 42-12 win over Canberra in the
final brought Illawarra’s record to
seven titles over the past ten years.
After establishing a 30-6 half-time
lead, our team continued to play
outstanding attacking football right
through to the final bell.
The players’ performances in the
semi and final were rewarded with
nine players gaining selection in
the Country Firsts team to tour Fiji
in October; while four others were
named in Country Seconds to play a
match at Darwin in July.

*The 13 Country selections are a record
for Illawarra and any Country Division
or Group . . . and every one of our six
clubs has a rep!

COUNTRY FIRSTS: Wayne Bremner (H’burgh), Mitch Porter (Wests),
Nathan Smith (Corr.), Jarrod Boyle (H’burgh), Jarrod Thompson
(Coll.) capt., Jokatama Dokonivalu (H’burgh), Peni Botiki (Wests), Joel
Johnson (Thirr.), Chris Lewis (H’burgh).

COUNTRY SECONDS: Josh Vaartjes (Dapto), Matt Handcock (Dapto),
Blake Wallace (Dapto), Azan Turoa (H’burgh).

 

[Weiry]

Zeims Park - Friday 26th June
40 mins. each way - time off for stoppages

CORRIMAL
Coach: Brendan Reeves
1 - Patrick HERBERT
2 - Logan YATES
3 - Jordan TENCATE
4 - Nathan SMITH
5 - Eli ROBERTS
6 - Charlie HEREKOTUKUTUKU
7 - Jack PAYNE
8 - Jacob HIND
9 - Brodie RIGG
10 - Fraser ALLCOCK
11 - Dylan STRICKLAND
12 - Brendon SMITH
13 - Jacob DENFORD (c)
14 - Jackson MERRIT
15 - Matt WALKER

WESTS
Coach: Jason Ryles
1 - Jordan HARTY
2 - Mitch PORTER
3 - Bart HILL
4 - Tremaine JENSEN
5 - William TOM
6 - Nathan DUREAU
7 - Daniel HOLDSWORTH
8 - Greg REH
9 - Matt CLARKE (c)
10 - Marty CRAMP
11 - Aaron HERTSCH
12 - Peni BOTIKI
13 - Zac BLAY
14 - Jason GREEN
15 - Wade STANFORD

 

[Red Bear]

As a league it has unfortunately fallen sharply in the last decade. 6 teams in the top flight is far too small for that area. But unfortunately those are the times down there.

They had Berkeley and Shellharbour two seasons ago and UOW and Port a bit before that.

But voluntary funding killed off the competitiveness of Uni, who had already merged with Wollongong, briefly came back before (seemingly) disappearing for good.

Port dropped out and now play Group 7

And then the amount of money Wests and Collies can spend dwarfed the rest of the comp which created a top heavy one where the smaller side couldnt compete, hence Berkeley dropping out, Shellharbour back to Group 7.

So now you have some really strong clubs but last year Dapto only won three games and Corrimal none.

Although Thirroul and the Burgh have been very competitive generally without quite having that level of cash. Thirroul does very well especially, although this season with Waterhouse and Swain haven't been winning.

 

[CC_Roosters]

They had Berkeley and Shellharbour two seasons ago and UOW and Port a bit before that.

But voluntary funding killed off the competitiveness of Uni, who had already merged with Wollongong, briefly came back before (seemingly) disappearing for good.

Port dropped out and now play Group 7

And then the amount of money Wests and Collies can spend dwarfed the rest of the comp which created a top heavy one where the smaller side couldnt compete, hence Berkeley dropping out, Shellharbour back to Group 7.

So now you have some really strong clubs but last year Dapto only won three games and Corrimal none.

Although Thirroul and the Burgh have been very competitive generally without quite having that level of cash. Thirroul does very well especially, although this season with Waterhouse and Swain haven't been winning.

Is there any sort of salary cap or player points system? The newcastle league has something along those lines and seems a bit more even, just look at lakes united flying at the top of the ladder after 2-3 years in the basement.

Given the close links between the illawarra and south coast how feasible would a combined grade comp be? Could have say two eight team divisions with promotion and relegation between them. Or is the gap two big between the IRL and group 7? Just seems to me that all these small competitions we have in sydney and the likes of Illawarra only benefits the biggest clubs

 

[Red Bear]

Is there any sort of salary cap or player points system? The newcastle league has something along those lines and seems a bit more even, just look at lakes united flying at the top of the ladder after 2-3 years in the basement.

Given the close links between the illawarra and south coast how feasible would a combined grade comp be? Could have say two eight team divisions with promotion and relegation between them. Or is the gap two big between the IRL and group 7? Just seems to me that all these small competitions we have in sydney and the likes of Illawarra only benefits the biggest clubs

As far as I know there is no cap or points system.

I get the impression the money that Wests and Collies in particular have, but probably the other clubs would see it a pretty lopsided one for the most part. There must be a bit of cash in other clubs also given the ex-nrl guys littered through the comp (Corrimals club are owned by Wests now and they have Reeves as coach).

It seemed to hit crisis point once Berkeley and Shellharbour left. The league seems to have been doing a lot since then to help get Berkeley back in the top grade and to generally improve the standard across the comp. It's the most competitive it's been in a while this year which is good, and there's always been a lot of good players in there (evident with the multiple country championships in recent years), but it's clearly not that sustainable with only six first grade clubs

 

[Achillies]

Given the close links between the illawarra and south coast how feasible would a combined grade comp be?

Wests were pushing for that a few years ago when Berkeley folded and Shellharbour returned to group 7. It won't happen. The spending of Wests and Collies destroyed the Illawarra comp, the group 7 clubs aren't going to vote in favour of merging into a comp that they aren't going to be able to compete in.

 

[Weiry]

Last night saw a massive upset occur where Corrimal defeated the Ladder Leaders in Wests 23 to 14 Try Scorers will be posted hopefully on Monday arvo

 

[Weiry]

Full Time: Helensburgh 40 defeat Dapto 18 Helensburgh go top of the table. Try scorers should be posted on Monday arvo

Full Time: Thirroul defeat Collegians 34-18 Thirroul go 4 points clear off bottom placed Collegians. Try scorers should be posted on Monday arvo

 

[coast_dragons]

Corrimal doing well the addition of Hind, Alcock and Merrit certainly helps.

 

[Weiry]

Updated Table after round 9

1. Helensburgh 12
2. Western Suburbs 10
3. Corrimal 6
4. Thirroul 6
5. Dapto 6
6. Collegians 2

 

[Weiry]

Detailed Results

Corrimal 23: (M. Walker, E. Roberts, J. Payne, D. Lokeni-Purcell) tries; (M. Campbell) 3/4 goals; (M. Campbell) 1 Field Goal def. Western Suburbs 14: (M. Porter, W. Tom, N. Dureau) tries; (M. Porter) 1/3 goals;

Thirroul 34: (L.Stein 2, T. Mccarthy, T. Waterhouse, H. Crosland, B. Grose) tries; (T. Mccarthy) 5/6 goals; def. Collegians 18: (J. Dixon, S. Onur, B. Kearney) tries; (R. Jaeger) 3/3 goals

Helensburgh 40: (W. Bremner 2, G. Smith, J. Dokonivalu, M. Riccio, S. Maslanka, S. Moceidreke) tries; (G. Smith) 4/8 goals; def. Dapto 18 (A. Madden, A Murphy, M. Handcock) tries; (Te Rata Robinson) 3/3 goals

Table

1. Helensburgh 12
2. Western Suburbs 10
3. Corrimal 6
4. Thirroul 6
5. Dapto 6
6. Collegians 2

 

[Weiry]

Updated Player Stats

Tries:

1. Mitchell Porter - 10 (Western Suburbs)
2. Simon Maslanka - 8 (Helensburgh)
3. Eli Roberts - 7 (Corrimal)


Goals:

1. Mitchell Porter - 28 (Western Suburbs)
2. Blake Wallace - 18 (Dapto)
3. Grant Smith - 17 (Helensburgh)

Points:

1. Mitchell Porter - 96 (Western Suburbs)
2. Blake Wallace - 53 (Dapto)
3. Grant Smith - 46 - (Helensburgh)

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Wests were pushing for that a few years ago when Berkeley folded and Shellharbour returned to group 7. It won't happen. The spending of Wests and Collies destroyed the Illawarra comp, the group 7 clubs aren't going to vote in favour of merging into a comp that they aren't going to be able to compete in.

Yep will never happen, one of the reasons Shellharbour returned as it just cost to much to remain competitive in the Illawarra comp.

Seriously how would they complete against all those sides and their leagues clubs.

But I still reckon the group 7 premiers would go close to beating the Illawarra premiers.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Is there any sort of salary cap or player points system? The newcastle league has something along those lines and seems a bit more even, just look at lakes united flying at the top of the ladder after 2-3 years in the basement.

Given the close links between the illawarra and south coast how feasible would a combined grade comp be? Could have say two eight team divisions with promotion and relegation between them. Or is the gap two big between the IRL and group 7? Just seems to me that all these small competitions we have in sydney and the likes of Illawarra only benefits the biggest clubs

The gap isn't that large in terms of playing ability, I actually think the top group 7 seven sides would be very competitive. Just can't see it happening but due to culture aspects / Illawarra sides having leagues club backing. Plus really there is no benefit for group 7 which is already a very strong Comp ( as opposed to Illawarra with only 6 sides) and the Comp is growing as opposed to Illawarra ( stringrays will field a 1st grade side in the near future).

Actually in the juniors from around 10/11's to 16's the comps are merged between group 7 / Illawarra and based on last years results, group 7 juniors are probably a bit stronger, they won the major of the comps.

 

[earl park riot]

What sort of money are Wests and Collegians spend? Is it significantly more than other clubs?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Not a nswrl comp. Should be in interstate forum.