The St George and Sutherland Shire rugby league communities have lost one of its greats with the passing of Carlo Steele.
Steele, a former Dragons and Cronulla Sharks player, died late last month. He was 70-years-old.
Steele was much loved and described as a “character” and a “lovely man”. His funeral was held on Tuesday.
Steele played one first grade game for the Dragons against Canterbury at Belmore Oval in 1961, a 12-6 victory for St George.
Born at Kogarah, Steele was the first Renown United player to ever be graded with St George and was named at hooker in Renown’s dream team as part of their 60th anniversary celebrations in 2011.
Steele held some star-studded company in that team, named alongside Dragons legends Reg Gasnier, Billy Smith, Mark Gasnier and Jason Nightingale.
Steele mainly played third grade for the Dragons, playing in their 1958 grand final side, before spending a season at South Sydney in 1963.
He went to Thiroull a year later before returning to the shire to play in the second division with the Sharks alongside his brother, Jack, in 1965 and ‘66.
Steele continued to play for the Sharks after they were elevated to the first division in 1967.
While he never played first grade for the Sharks in first division, he became the first player to ever play 100 club games for Cronulla. His son, Glen, did go on to play first grade for the Sharks in 1984.
Steele also coached Cronulla’s Jersey Flegg side – which featured Mick Mullane – in 1974 and ‘75 and coached a number of successful teams at the Gymea Gorillas.