FANS GIVE THEIR BEST

Visitors to mightyblacks.com.au have casted their votes over the last four months to determine their best Port Kembla side since the inception of the Illawarra Steelers in 1982. Players from the 1982-2004 era were placed into their respective positional categories and put up for nomination to the public who visit the Black's website. To be considered eligible for nomination, players must have had played a minimum of 20 First Grade Games for the Port Kembla club since 1982.

In total 857 votes were cast, the most coming in the category of second row where 115 votes saw a tight race between three Port stalwarts. The most decisive count came in the halfback category where incumbent Port point scoring whiz, Mark Simon, blitzed the field with 68 percent of the 84 votes lodged.

The final team is made up of the regular 13 playing positions, two forward and two back reserves, and a coach. Of the 18 categories determined by this site's visitors, eight have gone to current Blacks, with an additional one place going to a former Black now playing with the Thirroul Butchers.

Two of Port's most valued players in this era, Victor Daly and Richard Velthuis, polled well in two categories, but only their best polling was considered for the make up of the team. mightyblacks.com.au would like to thank all voters for their support of this poll.

PORT KEMBLA BLACKS BEST TEAM 1982-2004
as voted by visitors to mightyblacks.com.au

Fullback Michael Brown 32% of category votes
Wing Victor Daly 48%
Centre Craig Simon 47%
Centre Fuad Suljkanovic 16%
Wing Paul Lokys 31%
Five-Eighth Jeff Hardy 59%
Halfback Mark Simon 68%
Front Row Hugh Douglas 38%
Hooker Wayne Harvey 28%
Front Row Michael O'Sullivan 22%
Second Row Darren Nowicki 24%
Second Row John DeBrito 23%
Lock Richard Velthuis 43%
     
Forward Reserve Adam Bennett 23%
Forward Reserve Jason Corkery 22%
Back Reserve Brett Fitzgerald 20%
Back Reserve Jason Hardy 19%
     
COACH Chris Walsh 29%