This weekend's final rounds of the 2022 Nutri-Grain Ironman Series at Broadbeach will be the 33-year-old's last around the cans. He is expected to confirm the decision on Wednesday at Northcliffe Surf Club.

Poole started his career on Sydney's Northern Beaches and went on to win the 2017 Nutri Grain Ironman Championship. He has seven Nutri-Grain round wins to his name, along with five podium finishes, is a two-time Australian representative and was runner-up in the 2019 Coolangatta Gold. 

He attracted crowds by bringing a new edge to the sport, boasting pink hair, tattoos and a gritty race style that led to enormous success. 

So where does he sit in the list of the greatest iron stars of the past 30 years? Our expert judging panel has compiled the list of the 20 greatest ironmen of the past 30 years.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: The women’s top 20 iron stars of the past 30 years revealed

STARS PREPARE FOR IRON X

JUDGES

■ Andrew Buhk: Former and long-time Nutri-Grain iron series referee, former Aussies referee, current SLSA chair of sport;

■ Harvie Allison: Surf sports photographer for more than 30 years;

■ Jenny Parry: 2019-2020 Nutri-Grain ironman and ironwoman series commentator and former Australian lifesaving team representative.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT THE BULLETIN FACEBOOK SPORTS FORUM

20. SCOTT REEVES

Scott took out the 1997 Super Series ahead of Trevor Hendy, after placing second in the previous year. He won the double sprint in that same year at Piha Beach (NZ) in what was considered the biggest surf ever during an ironman event.

19. STEVE PULLEN

Steve, hailing from Alexandra Headland, won the Australian title in 1998 and placed third in 1999.

18. KENDRICK LOUIS

Manly’s star took out his first Aussie title in 2018 to stake his claim on the Australian team for the world title later that year. He’s finished on the overall Nutri-Grain ironman series podium four times since 2013.

17. MATT POOLE

Poole started his career on Sydney's Northern Beaches and went on to win the 2017 Nutri Grain Ironman Championship. He has seven Nutri-Grain round wins to his name, along with five podium finishes, is a two-time Australian representative and was runner-up in the 2019 Coolangatta Gold.

16. MICHAEL KING

Kingy won the Coolangatta Gold in 1991, the first time the race had been run after a seven-year hiatus. He also went on to be crowned the Super Series champion in 1995.

15. NATHAN SMITH

Nathan won an Australian ironman title in 2005, on the same day that his sister, Kristyl Smith, won the ironwoman crown. Despite agonisingly not achieving a first place podium at the Coolangatta Gold, Nathan did finish second four times, and third twice.

14. MATT BEVILACQUA

As one of the youngest competitors on the list, Matt won his first Nutri-Grain series in 2018 and worked hard to become the Coolangatta Gold champion in 2019.

13. PIERCE LEONARD

Pierce took out the junior Australian ironman title in 2006, before going on to be the open Australian ironman crown in 2007 and 2009.

12. DWAYNE THUYS

Dwayne took out the world title in 1984 and went on to hold the Australian title in both 1985 and 1986.

11. GUY LEECH

Guy was the first ever winner of the iconic Coolangatta Gold, going back to back in 1984 and 1985. A true endurance athlete, who also won the ‘Gold Coast Gold’ of the Super Series in 1989.

10. GUY ANDREWS

Guy was one of the stars of the Super Series, winning three titles in the 90s, placing second to Trevor Hendy on two occasions. At the height of his racing he claimed the Aussies ironman title in 1993.

9. DEAN MERCER

Dean won the Australian title in 1989 and 1995, and dominated the Nutri-Grain ironman series in the late 90s, with four wins between 1995 and 1999.

8. CAINE ECKSTEIN

A five-time winner of the Coolangatta Gold, Caine became synonymous with the race in the modern era. He also claimed the 2012 Nutri-Grain ironman series title but is best known as one of the top endurance athletes to compete in ironman racing.

7. ZANE HOLMES

Retiring in 2012, Zane, at that time, was the only athlete to have won every major title in ironman racing. He claimed two world championships, Aussies in 2004, the Coolangatta Gold in 2006 as well as five Nutri-Grain ironman series titles. He also represented Australia on 13 occasions.

6. DARREN MERCER

Darren dominated ironman racing in the 90s, winning the Coolangatta Gold in 1992, six Nutri-Grain ironman series as well as two Aussie titles in 96 and 97.

5. ALI DAY

A two-time Nutri-Grain ironman series champion, a previous world iron winner and he is also the only ironman to win seven Coolangatta Gold titles.

4. GRANT KENNY

Grant is the only athlete to have completed the historic ‘double’ when he won the junior and open ironman titles. He won four Aussie titles in a row.

3. KY HURST

Ky paved the way in ironman racing throughout the late 90s, winning four Australian titles and series. He went on to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games in open water swimming.

2. TREVOR HENDY

An amazing waterman and icon of the sport, winning six Australia titles and four Super Series. Trevor now dedicates his time to inspiring the current and future stars at Surfers Paradise SLSC.

1. SHANNON ECKSTEIN

Arguably the greatest iron star of them all. With eight Australian titles, nine Nutri-Grain ironman series wins and five world titles he dominated ironman racing for the entirety of his career.