Past and present NRL players feature in Helensburgh Tigers Team of the Half Century

Many have gone on to play in the NRL, for NSW and even for Australia, while others are considered legends in different ways for sticking around at Helensburgh and contributing to the club past their junior days.

Recently the club celebrated its 50th anniversary and celebrated their history by selecting a Team of the Half Century.

A starting 13 of players from different decades and rugby league eras was put together, with a few players you’ll know for sure and a few that will bring up some great memories.

Check out the full side along with some great junior photos below.

1. Josh Starling

Not a name you’d expect to see in fullback having made his trade from prop forward in his NRL days, but from 2003-06 Starling was a talented fullback while at Helensburgh.

Since then he played 80 games in the NRL for South Sydney, Manly and Newcastle, announcing his professional retirement at the end of 2017.

Starling made a return to Illawarra Cup footy with the Thirroul Butchers, before moving to the Shellharbour Sharks in Group 7.

2. Sean Taylor

On the wing for the ‘Burgh is Taylor who was an Illawarra CRL representative and was graded at the Illawarra Steelers.

Playing juniors for the club from 1975-85, he grew into a big framed back and a reliable goalkicker with his size 17 boots.

He was a try scorer for the Thirroul Butchers in their 1995 Illawarra Cup premiership triumph.

3. Chris Astill

Helensburgh through and through having played over 200 games of juniors for the side between 1995 and 2006.

Playing a lot of fullback in his career as well and also very handy off the tee, Astill was also an Illawarra Cutters rep player in the same team as the likes of Damien Cook and Denan Kemp.

4. Glen Connor

Joining Astill in the centres is Glen Connor who played juniors for the club for a decade from 1973-83.

He was awarded Helensburgh’s Best Back Aware Naming Honour and is a former first grade premiership winner.

In 1980 Connor was the U18 Illawarra Player of the Year.

5. Peter Phillips

Completing the outside backs in Phillips who played juniors for the club from 1974-86.

He went on to play 70 NRL games for the Illawarra Steelers, Balmain Tigers and St. George Dragons.

Interestingly he is the uncle of Rabbitohs star Damien Cook.

6. Craig Ireland

The five-eighth played juniors for Helensburgh from 1978-86.

He was a first grade premiership winner and an Illawarra CRL representative.

7. Trevor Kissel

Playing juniors from 1977-85, he played 72 top flight games for the Illawarra Steelers, crossing for nine tries.

After his representative days he returned to Helensburgh in a captain/coach role, leading his side to a first grade premiership in 1993.

8. Justin Poore

The first former Helensburgh player to represent NSW in State of Origin, playing three games in the 2009 series.

A Helensburgh junior from 1995-02, he went on to play 178 NRL games for St George and Parramatta, as well as 31 Super League Games for Hull and Wakefield.

9. Damien Cook

The headline name of the team is current NRL superstar Damien Cook who played juniors at the club from 1999-05.

The second NSW debutant the club has produced, he has gone on to play 17 times for NSW and has 180+ NRL caps for the Dragons, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs.

A genuine modern day superstar, the rapid hooker came agonisingly close to an NRL premiership in 2021.

10. Phil Doran

The first ever Helensburgh junior to play in the NRL, debuting for the Cronulla Sharks in 1984 after playing juniors at the Burgh from 1973-82.

Another first grade premiership winner in the orange and black.

11. Neil Piccinelli

Playing juniors from 1974-84, Piccinelli played 188 NRL games for the Illawarra Steelers, Hunter Mariners and Newcastle Knights.

A favourite among the Steelers community, he was known as half of the ‘Spaghetti twins’ with Dean Schifilliti,

Piccinelli had a great work ethic, offload and defensive presence, while also being handy off the tee.

Returned to play for Helensburgh amid other offers towards the end of his career in 1999.

12. Steven McCallum

Widely regarded as Helensburgh’s greatest ever.

McCallum played juniors from 1994-2001 and has played a record 250 games for the club.

The 6’5’ prop known affectionately as ‘Tower’ has captained the side to a premiership in 2015 and is still taking hit ups at the ripe old age of 37.

A true legend of the club.

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13. Mark Phillips

Rounding off the team from lock is Phillips who played juniors from 1973-1984.

He went on to be a first grade premiership winner with Helensburgh, before being an Illawarra CRL representative and playing for the Illawarra Steelers.

Originally published as Past and present NRL players feature in Helensburgh Tigers Team of the Half Century