Tony GRIMALDI [
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Mon February 7, 2011
Source: www.bulldogs.com.auCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Steve Turner, Aiden Tolman, Trent Hodkinson and head conditioner and 2004 Grand Final winner Tony Grimaldi will spend the next three days in Adelaide as part of the NRL's annual Community Carnival.
The group depart Sydney on Tuesday morning with a packed schedule ahead of them, which includes hosting a local Camp Quality family on a visit to the Adelaide Zoo, as well as hospital and school visits and community Rugby League clinics.
The visit follows on from the Bulldogs highly successful trip to the city in 2010, where the Club held a number of very well attended clinics before beating the Melbourne Storm in front of a crowd in excess of 10-thousand people at the Adelaide Oval.
The Bulldogs will once again return to the city in 2011, playing the Storm in round 18 of the NRL season, on the weekend of July 8-11.
In addition to their community camp duties, Grimaldi will ensure that the players continue their physical preparations for the 2011 season by training them at Hindmarsh Stadium during their stay.
"Following on from the success of the Bulldogs' game in Adelaide last season, this is a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to continue to build on our profile in this market," said Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg.
"It also signifies our commitment to the people of Adelaide, we are going to do more than fly in for more than just one game a year.
"We experienced firsthand the passion that Adelaide people have for Rugby League in 2010 and we hope that the local community gets right behind this trip as something of a precursor to our game there in round 18 against the Storm."
For the local South Australian Rugby League, it is a great opportunity for them to have some stars of the game assist with the promotion of Rugby League.
"Having the Bulldogs visit South Australia will highlight the game of Rugby League in the state and will assist the league to develop the game in our local schools," South Australian Rugby League General Manager Ken Kennedy said.
"Our clubs and players are excited about the visit and the opportunity to learn from guys playing at the highest level.
"A lot of locals have adopted the Bulldogs following on from the Bulldogs visit to Adelaide last year and I am sure they will be out in force when they return for the NRL game against the Melbourne Storm in July."
The Adelaide visit is in addition to the Bulldogs in the Community Blitz, which will feature the remainder of the Bulldogs squad visiting more than 30 schools across Sydney's south west on Thursday.
Adelaide Itinerary
TUESDAY ? Feb 8
2pm - Adelaide Zoo with Camp Quality family
3pm - Adelaide Hospital visit
5.30pm - Community Clinic and BBQ
WEDNESDAY - Feb 9
8am - Training at Hindmarsh Stadium
11am to 3pm - Assembly visits to Adelaide schools
5pm - Community Clinics
THURSDAY ? Feb 10
8am - Training at Hindmarsh Stadium
11am - High School Coaching Clinic
Thu September 14, 2006
by Matthew O'Neill
Bulldogs hooker Tony Grimaldi has been ruled out for the rest of the season and will announce an early retirement due to a bluging disk in his neck.
Grimaldi has been one of the unsung heroes for the Bulldogs in two stints at the Belmore based club over a period of eight seasons playing a total of 120 first grade games between 1996-98 and 2002-06.
A St George junior for the Penhurst RSL Club, Grimaldi played one match for the Dragons in 1995 before heading across to Canterbury. He received limited opportunities in 1996-97 but got his break in 1998 and forced his way into the first grade squad as the Bulldogs made a remarkable run to the Grand Final where he scored a try in the Grand Final.
Grimaldi had already signed to play in England for three seasons where he was at Gateshead first and than transferred to Hull FC when the takeover took place. Grimaldi captained Hull FC in 2001 and established himself as a fine competitor for the Humberside club.
The lure and challenge of the NRL saw Grimaldi back in Australia for the 2002 season where he linked up with the Bulldogs. He played little first grade between 2002-03 but was never out of the top grade in his final three seasons at Canterbury. Grimaldi played lock in the 2004 Grand Final and this year made the permanent switch to hooker where his form has been sensational.
Players like Grimaldi go very un-noticed as the media and public only take an interest in players who look spectacular. The appreciation for Grimaldi came from his team-mates and coaching staff where his appetite for work and his dedication at training stood him allowed him to forge a successful career in both Australia and England.
Grimaldi didn't want the news about his neck injury known until after the Grand Final so he can still remain an active part of the squad and allow the focus to remain on the current playing squad, which shows what a fine clubman he is.
Whilst he's disappointed at the way he's had to retire, Grimaldi has little complains and said,
"It could have been a better way to go out. But I still feel part of it. I'm still part of the team and go to training and help out when I can.
"I get nervous watching the games but a premiership win will cheer me up.
"The problem is I have had neck trouble before. They told me before that the next time it could be permanent.
"I suppose in one way the decision was taken out of my hands. That makes it a bit easier.
"At the moment I'm out for the year. I will retire hopefully on grand final day.
"I suppose I was the most depressed when I unpacked my bag. It had sat in the garage for a while after the (Broncos) game.
"But when I took it out and my boots and mouth guards I knew it was the end.
"But I'm getting old and have had a good run."Bulldogs Chief Executive Malcolm Noad said,
"Tony is a major loss on the field. He does a lot of dirty work that no one gives him credit for except the players and coaching staff.
"He averages over 40 tackles a game. He also provides inspiration and semi-final experience.
"Tony is a tremendous club man who has respect from the players and is a player everyone listens to.
"He will still contribute in a big way for us through the finals."In a strange twist, the Bulldogs except in 1984 have had one of their favourite sons out injured in five of their six recent Premiership successes.
1980 - Stan Cutler broke his leg in the opening week of the semi-finals against Western Suburbs. Peter Mortimer took his place in the side at centre with Greg Brentnall moving to fullback.
1985 - Terry Lamb suffered a burst blood vessel in his leg in week two of the Finals against St George and was ruled out for the following two weeks. Michael Hagan took his place wearing the No.14 jumper in the Grand Final. Lamb was a non-playing reserve.
1988 - Steve Mortimer broke his arm in the second last match of the season against St George. He was given a soft run at the end of the Grand Final with his arm heavily strapped when the Bulldogs were firmly in control of the match as a sign of appreciation for his service, greatness and loyalty. Mortimer announced his retirement after the game where despite his injury was given a taste of the Grand Final and took part in the lap of honour as a playing member of the side. Hagan who missed much of 1988 through injury took Mortimer's place at halfback and scored the Bulldogs opening try.
1995 - Robert Relf sustained a fractured eye socket injury and blurred vision thanks to Alan Cann in week two of the 1995 Finals series. Steve Price who had only started in one match that season took Relf's place in the starting side and scored the opening try in the Grand Final that year.
2004 - Steve Price was in his final year with the Bulldogs where he had been captain for three seasons. Price was injured the week before the Grand Final against Penrith where Andrew Ryan tookover the captaincy for the Grand Final, which the Bulldogs won against the Roosters.
Mortimer had already won three Premierships where he starred in the 1980 triumph and captained the Bulldogs to success in 1984-85. Lamb won his first Premiership at any level in 1984 and returned to win a Premiership in 1988 and captain the Bulldogs to their 1995 triumph. Price was a team-mate of Lamb's in 1995 and Grimaldi was a member of the 2004 success. Unluckily though Cutler and Relf who played in the 1979 and 1998 Grand Finals respectively never got to play in a winning side, although both players were key members of the 1980 and 1995 sides respectively.
Grimaldi may have missed out on a chance to win a second Premiership ring but if the Bulldogs are to win on 1st October the players will no doubt give Grimaldi the lap on honour he deserves and carry him on their shoulders as a sign of respect.
Congratulations to Grimaldi on a fine career for the Bulldogs and Gateshead/Hull FC. A fine footballer, a great worker and an even better person.
Footnote: Grimaldi was made a Life Member of the Penshurst RSL Junior Rugby League Football Club in 2004.
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
21 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 06] L 22-24 v Panthers (H). [LK] [View] Round 2 [17 Mar 06] W 47-12 v Tigers (H). [LK] [View] Round 3 [24 Mar 06] L 22-46 v Knights (A). [LK] [View] Round 5 [09 Apr 06] W 30-12 v Raiders (A). [LK] [View] Round 6 [17 Apr 06] W 26-18 v Rabbitohs (A). [LK] [View] Round 7 [23 Apr 06] L 14-40 v Sea Eagles (H). [LK] [View] Round 8 [30 Apr 06] W 30-16 v Warriors (A). [LK] [View] Round 9 [07 May 06] W 30-14 v Roosters (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 10 [14 May 06] W 22-18 v Eels (H). [DH] [View] Round 11 [21 May 06] W 32-24 v Sharks (H). [SR] [View] Round 12 [27 May 06] L 6-25 v Broncos (A). [LK] [View] Round 13 [03 Jun 06] W 38-22 v Knights (H). [LK] [View] Round 14 [12 Jun 06] L 26-28 v Raiders (H). [SR] [View] Round 15 [18 Jun 06] W 20-12 v Cowboys (H). [DH] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 16 [23 Jun 06] L 12-16 v Storm (A). [DH] [View] Round 17 [02 Jul 06] W 32-10 v Tigers (A). [DH] [View] Round 18 [09 Jul 06] W 22-18 v Warriors (H). [DH] [View] Round 20 [22 Jul 06] W 25-0 v Roosters (H). [DH] [View] Round 22 [05 Aug 06] W 54-14 v Cowboys (A). [DH] [View] Round 23 [13 Aug 06] W 26-10 v Dragons (H). [DH] [View] Round 24 [18 Aug 06] L 0-30 v Broncos (H). [DH]
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
24 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 05] W 46-28 v Dragons (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (40th) [View] Round 2 [18 Mar 05] L 12-24 v Cowboys (A). [LK] [View] Round 3 [27 Mar 05] L 36-37 v Tigers (A). [LK] [View] Round 4 [03 Apr 05] L 12-26 v Sharks (A). [LK] [View] Round 6 [15 Apr 05] L 16-29 v Roosters (H). [LK] [View] Round 7 [24 Apr 05] W 24-20 v Knights (A). [LK] [View] Round 8 [30 Apr 05] W 30-16 v Eels (H). [LK] [View] Round 9 [08 May 05] L 28-35 v Broncos (A). [LK] [View] Round 10 [14 May 05] L 10-18 v Sea Eagles (H). [SR] [View] Round 11 [21 May 05] W 26-16 v Storm (A). [LK] [View] Round 12 [27 May 05] L 12-48 v Cowboys (H). [LK] [View] Round 13 [04 Jun 05] D 21-21 v Souths (H). [SR] [View] Round 15 [19 Jun 05] W 28-10 v Raiders (H). [SR] [View] Round 16 [26 Jun 05] W 31-12 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR] [View] Round 17 [02 Jul 05] L 6-33 v Storm (H). [LK] [View] Round 18 [10 Jul 05] W 26-24 v Warriors (A). [LK] [View] Round 19 [15 Jul 05] W 18-16 v Panthers (A). [LK] [View] Round 20 [22 Jul 05] W 29-22 v Broncos (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (30th) [View] Round 21 [31 Jul 05] L 24-37 v Souths (A). [LK] [View] Round 22 [06 Aug 05] L 13-28 v Knights (H). [LK] [View] Round 23 [12 Aug 05] L 4-56 v Eels (A). [LK] [View] Round 24 [19 Aug 05] L 2-54 v Tigers (A). [LK] [View] Round 25 [28 Aug 05] L 6-28 v Panthers (H). [LK] [View] Round 26 [04 Sep 05] L 12-32 v Roosters (A). [LK]
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2 games; [View] Round 1 [13 Mar 04] W 48-14 v Eels (H). [BE] [View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] W 24-20 v Sharks (H). [BE]
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