The Thirroul Butchers are an Australian rugby league football team based in Thirroul, a coastal town and suburb of Wollongong. The club was formed in 1913 and entered the Illawarra Rugby League, where it still competes today.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thirroul Rugby League Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Butchers |
| Colours | Blue White |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Competition | Illawarra Carlton League |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 10 (1940, 1954, 1973, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2023) |
| Minor premierships | 5 (1987, 1995, 2003, 2008, 2022) |
History
editThe Thirroul Butchers were established in 1913, entering the third season of the Illawarra Rugby League competition. On 20 May 1913 Thirroul (at the time also known as "The Blues") competed in their first premiership match, with a 13-3 loss to Unanderra. The team listed was: Dansfield, A. Lacey, E.Lacey, Hopkinson, Coulton, Grace, McDonald, Ryan, Moore, Green, Fraser, Schalel and Clarke.[1]
Players
editNotable former players
edit- Glen Air (1994-02 Illawarra Steelers, London Broncos, and West Tigers)
- Brent Grose (2001-08 Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Warrington Wolves, and Sydney Roosters)
- Trent Waterhouse (Penrith Panthers (2002-2011), Warrington Wolves(2012-2014))
- Michael Howell (2002-04 St. George Illawarra Dragons)
- David Howell (2003-13 St. George Illawarra Dragons, Canberra Raiders, and London Broncos)
- Ryan Powell (2004-05 St. George Illawarra Dragons)
- Matt Prior (2008-20 St. George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks)
- Max Bailey (2020 Sydney Roosters)
- Aaron Schoupp (2021- Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans)
- Ryan Couchman (2023- St. George Illawarra Dragons)
- Toby Couchman (2023- St. George Illawarra Dragons)
- Connor Muhleisen (2023- St. George Illawarra Dragons)
Leading Pointscores
edit| Player | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John McCarthy | 10 | 362 | 14 | 776 |
| Bruce Smith | 9 | 207 | 0 | 441 |
| Lionel Wheatley | 25 | 179 | 1 | 433 |
| Mark Taylor | 43 | 130 | 0 | 370 |
| Ray Morgan | 20 | 72 | 0 | 367 |
| Shane Sciberras | 11 | 154 | 0 | 356 |
| Peter McGrath | 1 | 163 | 0 | 329 |
| Ron Wall | 67 | 12 | 0 | 240 |
| Bill Everett | 5 | 98 | 1 | 211 |
| Sean Minogue | 12 | 74 | 0 | 197 |
Honours
edit- Illawarra Rugby League Premierships: 8
- 1940, 1954, 1973, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2012
- Illawarra Minor Premierships: 4
- 1987, 1995, 2003, 2008
- CRL Challenge Cup: 1
- 2003