Three Helensburgh 2015 premiership winners to battle for Illawarra Cup grand final glory again in 2023

Three of Helensburgh Tigers’ premiership winners from 2015 are set to compete for grand final glory again in 2023, but they’re not all on the same team. Hear them recall the memories of their famous 2015 grand final win.

2015 premiership winning players with the Helensburgh Tigers Jarrod Boyle, Blake Phillips and Wayne Bremner are compete for gold again in the 2023 final.

Helensburgh Tigers’ grand final victory of 2015 will go down in Illawarra Cup legend as one of the most memorable.

After three grand final losses in the previous four years, the euphoria on display at the full-time siren meant so much to not only the club but the entire town.

Now on the eve of the Illawarra Cup final between Thirroul and Collegians, three of their premiership winning players are set to compete for the prestigious title once again, but this time they’re not all in the same colours.

Blake Phillips won his first of four premierships in Helensburgh colours and is looking to captain Collegians to his fifth, while in his way will be Jarrod Boyle and Wayne Bremner, once also of Tigers colours but now in the blue and white of Thirroul.

Phillips, one of the Illawarra Cup’s most successful individuals, recalls the sea of Helensburgh supporters that engulfed the hill of WIN Stadium on that sunny 2015 afternoon.

Helensburgh Tigers celebrate winning the 2015 Illawarra Cup. Picture: Dorian Cobb

“It would have been a good day to rob the ‘Burgh’ if you were a burglar because just about everyone in town was there that day,” Phillips said.

“The hill was completely gold and black that day and they all stormed the pitch when we won.

“It’s definitely a great memory, doing it with such a good group of boys as well made it special as well.”

Captaining the Helensburgh side was local league legend Steve McCallum who has since stuck around and hit the 250 game milestone for the club he adores.

Captain Steve McCallum celebrates a premiership win with the Helensburgh Tigers. Picture: Adam McLean

“It’s definitely the crowning glory of my time with Helensburgh,” McCallum said.

“We had a really strong side, a good mix of locals and imported players.

“They were all really good blokes at the end of the day, I’m super proud of what we achieved as a club.”

Helensburgh emerged 16-10 winners over Western Suburbs on the day, with two tries to Jason Raper on opposite flanks and one terrific muscling effort from Khan Salamalikis was enough to cancel out two tries from Wests’ winger Bronx Goodwin.

Jarrod Boyle in Helensburgh colours where he won the 2015 premiership. Picture: Helensburgh Tigers Facebook

The game itself was a bruising affair in which tempers flared on a couple of occasions, notably on the stroke of half time after Goodwin nailed Helensburgh fullback Wayne Bremner with a massive tackle while Bremner was airborne.

“There was massive pressure on us because we’d lost two in a row, I’d been on three losing final teams at that point,” Jarrod Boyle recalled.

“It was massive for the club and for the town to get it done though.

“We had a fairly young side, but a lot of us were best mates before and still are now, so it’s one I’ll never forget.”

Come this weekend there’ll be no more time for reminiscing, it’s 80 minutes of footy to determine the best rugby league team in the Illawarra.

Thirroul fullback Wayne Bremner in Helensburgh colours. Picture: Dorian Cobb

To heighten the stakes, Wayne Bremner has already suggested he could be hanging up the boots after this match. The fullback is also under an injury cloud having picked up a knock to the knee against De La Salle last week.

“We’re all still good mates, we took the families out to lunch last week and had a good chat about it all,” Phillips said about his relationship with Bremner and Boyle.

“Until the final whistle though it’s going to just be another battle, they’ll be doing their best for Thirroul and I’ll be doing mine for Collies.”

Captain McCallum “wishes all three the best” ahead of the big dance, fondly remembering the influence Boyle, Bremner and Phillips had for them in the final and throughout their entire minor premiership campaign.

Formerly of Helensburgh, Blake Phillips is now the captain of Collegians. Picture: Steve Montgomery

“Blakey [Blake Phillips] is just a weapon that can create something out of nothing from the front. He’s as tough as they come … he just breeds success as well, it’s no surprise he has as many premierships as he does.

“Boyley [Jarrod Boyle] is one of, if not the best half in country footy. His kicking game is second to none and his ability to control a game is outstanding.

“Brem [Wayne Bremner] was used really well by the coach whether it was in fullback or on the wing. His finishing ability on the wing, the way he could scoot past defenders and get us on the front foot.

“They were definitely three of our more influential players, it just goes to show how good that side was that there’s still players kicking about in grand finals.”

Thirroul take on Collegians in the Illawarra Cup grand final at 3pm Saturday August 2 at WIN Stadium.