Bulldogs History

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The Canterbury district was a stronghold in junior Rugby League long before Canterbury-Bankstown were admitted to the NSWRL senior competition in 1935. As early as 1909, a Campsie team played in the St George B-grade competition and Belmore, Canterbury, Bankstown and Punchbowl teams were all in existence prior to 1922. That year the Canterbury-Bankstown junior league was formed and a team admitted to the President's Cup competition. By 1930 there were murmurings among officials that there should be a senior Canterbury team in the NSWRL, but the league told them unofficially that the area was not ready for elevation.There was a further unsuccessful attempt for entry in 1933, but local officials persisted and on September 25, 1934, they were advised by the league that their application had been successful.Canterbury in their first season had two record defeats inflicted on them, 87-7 to Easts and 91-6 to St George. The following season Canterbury made the semi-finals and in 1938, defeated Easts 19-6 in the final to end Easts three-year reign as premiers. Another premiership was won by Canterbury in 1942 and they were also runners up in 1940 and 1947. Featuring in the early Canterbury sides was the famous front-row/hooker trio of Eddie Burns, Henry Porter and Roy Kirkaldy, known as the "three musketeers", winger Edgar Newham and centre Ron Bailey who would captain Australia in 1946 after World War II ended.After the Burns-Porter-Kirkaldy era ended, Canterbury fell on lean times, only making the semi-finals once between 1948-66, that being in 1960. In 1963, a blond haired fullback of sheer greatness from South Newcastle emerged in Les Johns and with the signing of St George hardman Kevin Ryan as captain-coach in 1967. The Berries defeated St George 12-11 in the preliminary final to end the Dragons remarkable 11-year premiership winning streak but was to lose 12-10 to South Sydney in a great grand final.Canterbury underwent massive change in 1969 with local newsagent owner Peter Moore organising a coup to control the Canterbury club that would change the Canterbury club forever and ensure success would be a regular ingredient with Moore in charge.Canterbury made the 1974 grand final, losing 19-4 to Easts and in 1976, Moore signed Wagga sensation Steve Mortimer to Canterbury and immediately followed brothers Peter and Chris along with Wagga boy Greg Brentnall. The adding of those players and the appointment of the attacking friendly Ted Glossop as coach saw the Bulldogs as they became known as in 1978, make a charge into the 1979 grand final. They lost 17-13 to St George but weren't to be denied in 1980, when Canterbury came out 18-4 victors over Easts with Steve Gearin scoring one of the greatest ever grand final tries.Warren Ryan took over as coach in 1984 with Terry Lamb a most significant signing that season and the Bulldogs went from the entertainers to the enforcers. Ryan installed a tough brand of defence and under the captaincy of Steve Mortimer, Canterbury made three grand finals between 1984-86, winning 6-4 against Parramatta in 1984 and 7-6 against St George in 1985 but in 1986, lost 4-2 to Parramatta in the only tryless grand final. Those three grand finals only had a total of four tries scored in three of the most defensive games in history. After the 1986 grand final, 5/8 Terry Lamb was one of five Canterbury players picked on the Kangaroo tour where he would create history and play in every match on tour, either as a starter or replacement. Canterbury was back to the top in 1988, this time under rookie coach Phil Gould where they defeated Balmain 24-12 in the decider.Canterbury lost many players between 1988-90, but a smart rebuilding phase by new coach Chris Anderson around his captain Terry Lamb ensured the Bulldogs were back near the top in 1993 and after losing the 1994 grand final to Canberra, Canterbury bounced the following year after a season of turmoil to turn it around in the semi-finals where they defeated Manly 17-4, being the only side between 1995-97 to keep Manly tryless in a game. Canterbury the following season was hit hard with player losses to Super League, but with a few handy signings and playing on lots of spirit made an emotional charge from 9th place in the 10-team final series to make the 1998 grand final. Peter Moore was sick with cancer and the Canterbury players used that as inspiration to get to the grand final, they lost 38-12 to Brisbane but won many admirers.The Bulldogs recruited big for the 1999 season with Darren Smith returning to the club and he was joined at Canterbury by Canberra legends Bradley Clyde and Ricky Stuart. The Bulldogs finally left Belmore at the end of 1998 and sadly never returned to the grand old ground, making the Olympic Stadium their home in 1999-2000. Canterbury enjoyed excellent results in 1999 but were bundled out of the Finals thanks to a tragic kick from Stuart that found Matt Geyer on the fly. The Bulldogs ditched the Canterbury-Bankstown name for the 2000 and the name unfortunately hasn?t returned since. The Bulldogs struggled in 2000 with an aging side but the biggest loss that season was the death of Peter Moore in early July. Bullfrog built Canterbury into the powerhouse club that it has been in the modern era and his loss was mourned by many. His legacy will always continue.Speed and a new breed were the order for 2001 and the Bulldogs finished 2nd in the Minor Premiership but went out the backdoor in the Finals. They were headed for the Minor Premiership in 2002 where they won 17 matches in a row only to be caught out in a Salary Cap scandal. The NRL stripped the Bulldogs of 37 points and relegated them to last position. Former 1984-85 Premiership winning captain Steve Mortimer came to the Bulldogs rescue as Chief Executive and he pushed the Bulldogs through some tough times and ensured the squad stuck together. Mortimer left in early 2004 but his efforts and passion at the time was what the Bulldogs needed. However, the Bulldogs weren't to be denied and bounced back a stronger club as a result. They fell one game short in 2003 and in 2004 emerged as Premiers. Steve Folkes blooded some exciting youngsters including Sonny Bill Williams, who will be one of the games genuine superstars if he stays fit. The Bulldogs without captain Steve Price defeated arch-rivals Sydney Roosters 16-13 in a tense Grand Final. Winger Matthew Utai scored two tries whilst Hazem El Masri crossed for his 100th try in the decider.The Bulldogs have always endured tough and controversial times but always find ways to bounce back stronger and better.There will be times when Canterbury will struggle but when all seems lost the pride of the Bulldogs will always emerge. Canterbury have been the games most successful club since 1980 with six Premierships to their name.

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